Solar-heated water and bamboo floors soften the carbon footprint in this top B.C. makeover 

By Frank O’Brien

Energy Star-rated appliances are sheathed in solid, vertical-grain, book-matched mahogany cabinets. Appliances include a dishwasher-in-a-drawer that uses less water than conventional models.

A wall of bi-folding glass doors allows the outdoors into this Georgie Award-winning, environmentally aware kitchen makeover. Note the bamboo floor, considered more

All the water used in the kitchen is heated via twin roof-mounted solar panels, which are estimated to cut the cost of hot water heating by at least 30 per cent.

Then Kerr worked out how to reduce the amount of water used, opting for a compact drawer-style dishwasher that runs smaller loads. The company also installed a built-in water filtration system and ionizer to improve the quality of the drinking water.

Environmental measures extend to the recycling of interior doors and trim, the use of low-E and triple-glazed windows and extra insulation in the walls and ceiling. The large counters are engineered quartz, which is recognized as having a lower carbon footprint than granite. Bamboo floors, considered more environmentally friendly than hardwood, were installed, as were new Energy Star appliances, most hidden behind the custom-made, vertical-grain, solid mahogany cabinets.