Going Green in the Kitchen

Annette Thomson of Washington, D.C., wants to green up her kitchen remodeling project. "I want to replace old vinyl flooring and add Energy Star appliances," she says. "Is there anything else I can do?"

Thomson is on the right track. Going green in the kitchen means replacing vinyl with more sustainable materials and choosing energy-saving appliances. But taking a healthy approach to remodeling also includes designing your kitchen to make day-to-day green living easier.

Green upgrades not only save money and energy, they can also add to home value. Some green improvements offer a return of more than 200 percent
of the investment, according to a survey of Realtors by HomeGain.

Whether you're planning a full-on kitchen remodel or just a few projects, here are some options at different price points that will help you start going green in your kitchen.