Renovating your kitchen? Here’s what most people forget to think about
A kitchen renovation is one of the most disruptive things you can do to your home. It is also one of the best opportunities you will get to make improvements that would otherwise require tearing everything apart again.
When walls come down, units come out and electricians are already on site, you have a window to make changes that are almost impossible to do any other way. Most homeowners focus on what the kitchen will look like when it is finished. The ones who think about what is behind the walls while they are open tend to end up with a kitchen that is not just better-looking but more comfortable to live with.
Things to consider when planning a kitchen renovation
- Ventilation for cooking Cooking produces moisture, fumes and particulates. A poorly ventilated kitchen pushes all of that into the rest of your home. If you are replacing a cooker hood or moving your hob, it is worth making sure the ventilation actually exhausts outside rather than just recirculating air through a filter.
- Appliance upgrades If you are replacing appliances anyway, this is the obvious moment to check energy ratings. Induction hobs in particular are worth considering — they use significantly less energy than gas, produce no combustion fumes and are safer. If you have gas cooking, a renovation is often the right time to switch.
- Electrical capacity Modern kitchens draw more power than older ones. If you are adding appliances or switching from gas to electric cooking, it is worth checking your consumer unit can handle the load before the work begins rather than after.
What people often forget
Insulation behind the units When kitchen units are removed, external walls are exposed. That is a rare opportunity to add or improve insulation before the new units go back in. Once they are fitted, that wall is inaccessible again for years.
Floor insulation Kitchen floors are often replaced during a renovation. If yours is a ground floor kitchen, this is a good moment to insulate underneath before the new floor goes down.
Glazing and seals If your kitchen has an external door or windows, a renovation is a good time to check the seals and consider whether the glazing is performing well. Heat loss through poorly sealed kitchen doors is common and easy to address while other work is already underway.
Lighting LED lighting is now the standard, but older kitchens often have a mix. A renovation is the natural moment to make sure everything is consistent and efficient.
Common kitchen renovation mistakes
Inadequate ventilation The most common issue we see is cooker hoods that are not properly ducted to the outside. A recirculating hood removes some grease and odour but does nothing for moisture or combustion gases. Getting this right during a renovation costs very little extra. Fixing it afterwards means more disruption.
Missing insulation opportunities Walls and floors do not get exposed often. Homeowners who are focused on the aesthetic outcome of a renovation sometimes overlook what could be done while the building fabric is accessible. It is one of the harder mistakes to go back and fix.
Not reviewing the heating system A new kitchen layout can block radiators, change airflow or add load to a heating system. If you are making significant changes to the layout, it is worth checking how this affects your heating before the work is done.
When you remove your kitchen units, here’s what to look for
When cabinets come off the walls and the external walls are exposed, look at what is behind them. Cold, uninsulated masonry is a sign that heat is being lost through that wall every winter. A good insulation installer can add a layer before the new units go in — it adds very little to the overall cost of the renovation and makes a meaningful difference to comfort and bills.
The same applies to floors. If the floorboards or tiles are coming up, look at what is underneath before they go back down.
The best time to think about these things is before your kitchen renovation begins, not halfway through. Retrofit West offers free, impartial home energy advice across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
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Kitchen Renovation FAQ’s
Should I switch from gas to induction when renovating my kitchen?
Switching from gas to induction during a kitchen renovation is a good idea for most homes. The electrical work is already being done, induction hobs are more efficient, produce no combustion fumes and are increasingly the standard in new kitchens.
Can I improve insulation during a kitchen renovation?
Improving insulation during a kitchen renovation is much easier than doing it as a standalone project. When units are removed and external walls are exposed, insulation can be added before the new kitchen goes in — once the units are back, that wall is inaccessible again for years.
Does a kitchen renovation affect my EPC rating?
A kitchen renovation can affect your EPC rating positively if you take the opportunity to upgrade appliances, improve insulation or switch from gas to electric cooking. It is worth thinking about this before work begins.
How do I know if my kitchen ventilation is working properly?
If your kitchen ventilation is not working properly, you will usually notice steam building up when cooking and moisture spreading to other rooms. This typically means your cooker hood is recirculating air rather than exhausting it outside. Retrofit West can advise on this as part of a free home visit.
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