Choosing a Stove for a Green Kitchen – Energy Star is Just a Start

Have you made a commitment to live greener? Many people are working toward becoming greener in their everyday lives in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut back on their carbon footprints and save money. As part of that effort, green enthusiasts have turned their attention to their kitchen habits. While there are many small steps that people can take to go green in the kitchen, one big step is replacing that old kitchen stove with a more energy efficient model – one that suits the way you cook and reduces the amount of energy that you use to put food on the table.

When it comes to choosing greener appliances, most homeowners rely on the Energy Star rating. Energy Star is a government certification program that labels appliances that are energy efficient. It’s so successful that it’s become an international standard. Choosing a stove that has an Energy Star is the most obvious choice when buying a new stove, but it doesn’t really do much to narrow your choices down. There are other choices you can make that will affect how much energy you use and how much carbon you save.

Electric or Natural Gas

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Prosper Real Estate Buffet

Considering it is still a relatively small town with a population of 7,116, Prosper has a lot going for it. It has a relaxing small town feel where people can come home and feel they’ve escaped from the hustle and bustle of their busy day. The public school system with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is one of the most sought after in the area. Plenty of shopping is located only minutes away, as are the highways leading to the Metroplex.

Originating as a small master planned community, Prosper has expanded and spread its wings, and now the secret of this hidden gem is leaking out – Prosper’s projected growth is estimated to reach almost 85,000 by the year 2035.

One day, real estate prices in Prosper will be out of reach, but for now, home prices hover from the $300s to over $2 million. The variety of real estate is staggering for such a small town, and there are choices for every price range and lifestyle. In fact, it’s rare to find so many choices of quality, affordable real estate in one spot. Where else can you live in a new home with luxury amenities, in an exclusive golf community for just over $300,000?

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Solution to the Three Most Common Complaints About Kitchen Layout

According to “Popular Mechanics”, three of the most common complaints about kitchen layouts are: not enough storage, too little counter space, and no place for seating. There is a solution to all three complaints – installation of a kitchen island. Thus, addition of a kitchen island should become a consideration for kitchen remodeling and improvement projects. There are three basic types of kitchen island: island, snack bar, and peninsula.

Kitchen island, as the name implies, is an island placed in the center of the kitchen space. Typically, the kitchen island includes a cooktop, a full sink, or a small prep sink to make the kitchen more efficient, assuming that there is adequate walkway clearance all around it and that the height and size of the island are just right.

Snack bar is typically an extension of a countertop over a cabinet edge or a length of countertop mounted to an unused wall. As the name implies, it is simply a small eating area for having a quick bite. Snack bars are especially good for small kitchens that can not accommodate an island or a peninsula. Some snack bars have a hinge option to drop down the countertop when it is not in use.

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