Economists are finally admitting that the country is on the verge of a “long and painful recession.” With dire predictions like that, homeowners are scrambling for ways to cut costs. Energy bills are going to prove one of the biggest burdens to cash-strapped homeowners, especially as the winter season looms. And with much of their time and appliance usage taking place in the kitchen, saving energy in that room of the home is a great place for homeowners to start.

The Akron Beacon Journal had just that idea in mind when it ran an article titled “Cut waste, save energy in the kitchen.” Interestingly enough, energy saving can be accomplished in a wide range of ways, from faucets to lighting and even kitchen cabinets. Culling ideas from Consumer Reports' Shop-Smart, the newspaper reported these ideas for making your kitchen greener:

• “Add an aerator.” This kitchen faucet attachment typically costs less than $10 but can save you a bundle on your water bill by reducing overall water flow.

• “Whittle your watts.” Because it's often the largest room in the house, the kitchen can be an expensive lighting proposition. There are ways you can cut back on your electric bill, though. Shop-Smart recommends, “Switch to compact fluorescent lights in overhead fixtures, and consider adding LED or fluorescent under-cabinet task lighting.” And if your kitchen cabinets have a valance, you're in luck. In that case, consider installing inexpensive and energy-efficient track lighting that you can hide behind the valance.

• “Put in a ceiling fan.” Much more cost-effective than air conditioning, it will keep your kitchen cool on a limited budget.

• “Reuse when you renovate.” This piece of advice is particularly amenable to kitchen cabinet remodeling. Consider refacing as opposed to replacing your kitchen cabinets. If buying new is your desire, then look for a kitchen cabinet manufacturer that focuses its resources on sustainability and a commitment to the environment. Certification in the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) will give you peace of mind that the kitchen cabinet manufacturer you've chosen takes green approaches seriously. Certification is awarded based on criteria compliance in five categories, all designed to reduce waste, conserve natural resources and maintain a commitment to community involvement.

• “Trade in your energy hogs.” Be on the lookout for energy-efficient appliances. “They may have higher prices upfront, but you'll recoup the cost through energy savings,” points out Shop-Smart.

It is possible to go green and save money in all rooms of the home, but the kitchen is a particularly good starting point. When evaluating the environmental friendliness of your home, keep the three Rs in mind: reduce, reuse and recycle.

A reputable kitchen cabinet manufacturer will embrace such a philosophy and help you achieve your green goals. The following are just some of the ways in which an eco-friendly kitchen cabinet manufacturer can assist in your environmental endeavors:

• Using only EPP particle board (Environmentally Preferable Product) that includes a percentage of recycled material and no added formaldehyde.

• Recycling returned cabinets

• Recycling and reusing finish material where appropriate and applicable to drastically reduce waste