If you’re renovating your kitchen, several appliances can be redesigned to improve their functionality, style, and energy efficiency. Here’s a quick rundown of the top six kitchen renovations and upgrades that can make your kitchen run more smoothly, safely, and efficiently than ever before. With these simple changes, you’ll find yourself having a lot more fun in the kitchen than you have in a while.
1. Programmable Thermostat
An easy way to improve the comfort and efficiency of your kitchen is by installing a programmable thermostat. This nifty little device allows you to program what time you want the temperature of your kitchen to be set, so your home will feel just right when you wake up, come home from work, or prepare for dinner. Mostly used in residential homes, these are handy devices that make it much easier to create a comfortable environment in your own space. They can also help save money on energy bills because they use less power during off-peak hours than traditional thermostats do.
2. Self-Cleaning Oven
Today, most ovens come with a self-cleaning function. That’s an awesome feature for every once in a while but if you want your oven cleaned regularly, it might be time for an upgrade. A quality self-cleaning oven will remove the need for elbow grease and make it easy to keep your kitchen looking great. They’re available from various brands at different price points so explore what is out there before making a purchase decision. Consider looking into purchasing a convection oven as well because they are even more energy efficient than standard models.
3. Ceramic Cooktop
Ceramic cooktops are becoming an increasingly popular choice among homeowners. This is largely because they can heat up more quickly than glass, come with easier cleanup options, and more evenly distribute heat for faster cooking times. It’s also important that you take into account the size of your countertop when shopping for a cooktop so it will match up nicely and not cover too much surface space. If you have enough room on your countertop but want to save some money on installation, this may be a good option for you.
4. Energy Star Dishwasher
A dishwasher is a big investment but if you’re going to do it, make sure you choose the right one. An Energy Star certified dishwasher uses at least 28% less water and 24% less energy than a standard dishwasher. It also has an increased wash temperature of 140 degrees F which gets rid of more bacteria in your dishes than a standard dishwasher. Another great feature of an Energy Star dishwasher is that it reduces noise by up to 50%. The catch with these dishwashers is they are typically much more expensive than their non-Energy Star counterparts so be sure to do some research before deciding on this renovation.
5. Garbage Disposal
What do you do when your garbage disposal starts to give up? In this guide, we will show you the top six best kitchen appliance renovations that can help bring back working garbage disposal. Make sure to consult an electrician or plumber before undertaking any of these projects. Always use caution when replacing items in the electrical box and be mindful of which appliances are grounded and which are not. The most important thing is safety first. Never touch an electrically charged wire. If you don’t know what’s wrong with your device, call for professional help from a licensed electrician or plumber who has experience with kitchens and installing them.
6. Sink Water Filter/Softener System
Water from a kitchen sink can have various degrees of hardness, depending on where it comes from. Soft water is better for things like soap, dish detergent, and anything else you might wash with. Hard water minerals can get built up over time which might cause detergents and soap to work less effectively. Installing a water filter/softener system can soften the water and also filter out some heavy metals. A good option if you don’t have one already would be to purchase an under-sink water filter or an under-the-counter reverse osmosis system, both of which are relatively affordable. Keep in mind that these systems will need to be replaced periodically. A water softener is another option, but this may not be necessary if your local water supply doesn’t contain many hard minerals.
Upgrade Your Kitchen in 2022
If you’re trying to plan out kitchen renovations, there are a lot of decisions that need to be made. The best thing you can do is start by evaluating your needs and the available space. Once this is done, take a look at our list of top appliances that are worth the time, money, and effort and decide on what’s best for your kitchen.