Whether you want LEED certification for a new project or you simply want to make a building more desirable to the end customer, making sustainable choices is more important than ever. Today we want to talk to you about the alternatives for designing the kitchen, whether professional (HoReCa) or residential, from a “green” perspective. Whether you’re building a new kitchen or renovating an old one, there are many ways to be sustainable, and it’s easier than you think, although a sustainable kitchen does require careful and thoughtful planning and design. Here are our recommendations.
All the aspects involved in a project, including kitchens, can contribute to the sustainability as long as they’re in conformity with credit requirements. Usually, anyone participating in a green project look for supplier partners of products, such as furniture, appliances and taps, that meet the requirements and that are able to provide the information, documentation and certifications that qualify the sustainable performance of their product and the quality of their processes. Most of Idral’s taps are accompanied by the Water Label, which indicates the water and energy efficiency of the product. You can find all our certified taps in this link. This means that Idral participates in the European Voluntary Agreement for water and energy labelling that guarantees greater efficiency of the products and therefore less water waste, endorsed by the European Commission which involves strict criteria checked and verified by Independent Inspectors.
Sustainability is a core aspect of our philosophy, so we apply this vision to everything we do, starting with manufacturing. We have implemented many interventions in this direction, not least the photovoltaic system to make our production increasingly based on renewable energy sources (to find out more, read this article). OUR TAPS INVOLVED IN A PROJECT CAN THEREFORE CONTRIBUTE TOWARD SATISFYING CERTIFICATIONS CREDITS (such as LEED).
The building materials you choose make a significant impact on the overall sustainability of your building. You can choose, for example, certified wood, harvested and processed in a responsible and environmentally friendly way; plastic-free paints to reduce the impact on the environment and improve the users’ health; natural materials such as bamboo, or recycled materials such as glass.
For taps, too, you can choose recyclable options such as stainless steel, which is an ideal alternative for the environment and for the customer. Our stainless steel products are not only designed to last over time reducing the need for replacements and repairs, but they combine recyclable material with an automatic, (electronic or timed) closing system, which controls the duration of the water flow by automatically stopping it, reducing water consumption.
Furthermore, stainless steel does not require surface coatings or painting, which could be harmful to the environment. Using sustainable materials means investing in quality. It is better to make a good investment once it will last a long time than having to spend on maintenance, replacement and wasted water.,
Taking into consideration water waste is essential if we want to build a sustainable kitchen. Whether you have a large commercial kitchen or a small kitchenette in your flat, managing water efficiently is worthwhile – it will save you money, and it will help the environment! Our first advice is to use low-flow taps. Most of our taps use 5 or 6 litres per minute, depending on the item, while a traditional tap has a flow rate between 12 to more than 20 litres per minute when it is fully open. This saves at least 50% of water consumption. Also, as mentioned, using automatic water shut-off control is the best way to reduce water waste. Our recommendation for kitchens is the use of electronic taps or foot-operated taps.
We have just launched a revolutionary electronic tap for kitchens which puts aesthetic and technology at the service of sustainability. It is easy to use, and it allows you to significantly reduce consumption compared to a traditional tap, as you can see in this video.
Our pedal taps have more than 40 years on the market, but they continue to be an efficient and economical option, especially for professional kitchens, since they are an extremely practical solution that ensures great freedom of movement, because they do not require the use of the hands. Furthermore, they allow you to save up to 44% water consumption compared to traditional taps, thanks to better control of the water flow.
When you want to go green, you have to invest in energy-efficient devices, and we’re not just talking about appliances or LED lights. Do you know that you can also use energy efficient taps?
Thermostatic taps are a good example, as they allow you to control the temperature, reducing energy waste. Our thermostatic taps are designed to automatically shut off the water when it reaches the desired temperature. The valves maintain a constant water temperature, so there is no need to waste energy constantly regulating the water temperature. If you have an electric water heater, this is an ideal complement to increase its efficiency.
Water heating accounts for about 18% of the average household energy consumption. By using these taps, you will use less hot water, less energy overall and this will reduce your bills and it will help the environment.
Our new electronic kitchen tap has a thermostatic system, which also makes it ideal for saving energy.
A sustainable kitchen not only helps the environment, but it increases efficiency, requires minimal maintenance, reduces operating costs and offers health benefits. In a world where reducing water consumption is becoming a key priority and where more and more people care about environmental sustainability, Idral technology is essential for more eco-friendly commercial and residential projects. If you want to explore all the water-saving possibilities in designing your next kitchen? Contact the experts at Idral!
Keep up to date
Idral S.p.a. – Via Isei 8/10 – 28010 Gargallo (NO) Italia
Cap. Soc. € 660.000 i.v. | C.F. e Iscr. reg. imp. NO 00124610031 | REA n° 104665 | C.C.I.A.A. Novara | P.IVA 00124610031
