Everywhere you look, environmentally concerned consumers are making the switch to “green” living. This shift in consciousness influences where and how we shop, what kind of vehicles we drive and what we do with our recyclable material. The desire to make smart choices for the environment and ourselves even extends to our kitchen remodeling projects.

The kitchen is the most energy-intensive room in the house. It uses water for the sink and dishwasher, it sucks up electricity for the refrigerator and it uses natural gas and electricity to power the stove. Naturally, most areas of the kitchen are excellent candidates for a green makeover. Here are a few ideas.

Countertops made from recycled beer bottles have surprisingly become a staple in kitchen remodeling. These recycled glass surfaces are durable, smooth to the touch and don’t require synthetic finishes which can be toxic.

Cabinets can be refurbished or made new using straw-based or wheat-based products. Salvaged wood or wood that is harvested in compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council is also an excellent choice.

Floors made from sustainable materials like the rapidly maturing bamboo, cork and eucalyptus are more eco-friendly than their traditional hardwood counterparts. Typically these materials are harvested in an environmentally-friendly manner and replenish themselves quickly.

Kitchen remodeling allows you to take full advantage of natural daylight and save electricity by installing skylights, solar tubes or opening up more window space. Replace single-paned windows with double-paned windows to keep warmth in and cold air out. Remember to switch out the bulbs in all of your kitchen’s light fixtures with the longer-lasting, energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.

Refrigerators eat up more electricity than any other kitchen appliance. If yours is older than 10 years, replace it with one that is labeled “Energy Star” as they use up to 50 percent less energy.

Another green kitchen remodel option is replacing your gas or electric stove with an induction cooktop. These innovative appliances are 90 percent energy-efficient and provide faster heating times with more efficient cooking.

When it comes to fixing up the house in a green way, homeowners can do more than just switch out incandescent bulbs or set up separate bins for recycling. A kitchen remodeling project opens up a world of environmentally-sound options. It is perhaps the best time to make the eco-friendly changes to your home that you have been considering.