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When it comes to designing a green kitchen, evaluating stove cooktops for their energy efficiency can cause you to make a decision between convenience or your preferred method of cooking and being eco-friendly.

Unless you are going to cook in your fireplace over an open flame, you’ve got to consider the energy usage of the model of stove or cooktop that you buy. Most cooks prefer a gas cook top. With gas, the heat is easier to control and this can make cooking a lot easier.

However, gas stoves are powered by natural gas which is a fossil fuel and, as we know, fossil fuels are not that environmentaly friendly. On the other hand, the electricity that powers electric cook tops comes mainly from coal burning power plants which, once again, are not that environmentally friendly.

When it comes right down to it, choosing stoves and cooktops that are practical and good for the environment boils down to one thing – the efficiency of energy usage.

Which Stove Cooktops Are Most Energy Efficient?

When looking for energy efficiency, the electric cooktops are going to beat the gas once hands-down. But, there are many different types of electric cooktops that you’ll need to evaluate for your green kitchen. In today’s electric cooktops, there are many choices between the surface elements. These include induction elements, halogen elements and the traditional electric coil that seemed to be almost old-fashioned today.

Needless to say, the newer technology cooktops are going to be more costly but theye will also be more energy-efficient. The induction stove is the most energy-efficient because it transfers energy electromagnetically right to your pan. Of course, these of the highest priced. The ceramic glass cooktops that use halogen elements are the next best, however if you don’t have very flat pans, you will be wasting energy because they do not work efficiently if there isn’t good pan to cooktop contact. The least expensive – the electric coils are also the least energy-efficient.

When considering stove cooktops for your kitchen, you’re going to have to weigh your budget with your desire to lower your carbon footprint. Going with a higher-priced and more efficient model might cost you more upfront but can save on your energy expense as well as your impact to the environment over time.

There may be one very excellent reason why you have not as yet heard of the Bosch dishwasher. It is so ultimately quiet when operating, it is nearly impossible to hear. It can easily be said that the Bosch dishwasher is the quietest dishwasher in the United States claiming the noise level to be a mere 40 decibels. So if you wish to be the proud owner of the ‘unheard’ of dishwasher, Bosch is for you.

The appearance of the Bosch dishwasher is unparalleled. The stainless steel tub carries a lifetime warranty on any rusting through, so if you have a problem with certain water types, you can be assured there will be none with the Bosch dishwasher.

As previously stated, the Bosch is the quietest dishwasher manufactured in the United States with virtual silent running at a low 40 decibels. The dishwasher also comes with an Info Light beam directed at your floor to indicate that it is still in the operational mode. The two pump system helps to minimize noise and vibration and the solid base of the unit will also contain sound and prevent any leaks.

One would also be extremely hard pressed to find anything to argue about when it comes to efficiency as well. The energy star rating for the Bosch dishwasher is a 180 kilowatt hour per year making it the most efficient dishwasher on the market today. It comes with an EcoAction option that will reduce your energy consumption by up to 25%. EcoSense reduces energy usage up to 20%. If you should so desire there is small load option that will save on both water and electric. There is also a flow through water heater and a triple filtration system.

The safety features of the Bosch dishwasher are fantastic too. The AquaStop Plus feature continues to work everyday, all day, to provide the maximum protection against leaks. The sanitizing option will eliminate bacteria and add to the drying results. The concealed heating element offers protection against any melting of plastics and it touts SaniDry hygienic condensation drying.

The Bosch dishwasher has a capacity of holding a 15 place setting and the racks are designed for flexibility in loading. There is even a third rack for additional loading and the upper rack will adjust to three different loading levels. Convenience items include a multi-function LCD display, an end of cycle sound, and even a twenty four hour delay timer. A built in water softener ensures perfection of cleaning and the detergent ray optimizes the dissolving. The OptiDry feature gives you spotlessly clean dishes and a load size sensor will automatically adjust the wash cycle.