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Kitchen appliances need to tick a lot of boxes for discerning homeowners today. Not only must they provide full functionality, they must also be easy to use and eco-friendly – with designer looks to match.
Kitchen designer Linda Christensen of Kitchens By Design chose Fisher & Paykel appliances for this kitchen in a new Waiheke Island house designed by Bryce Ardern.
"The Lite-House, as it is known, is a fully sustainable project," says Christensen. "Everything in the house is as eco-friendly as possible, from the solar panels to the wind spire that generates electricity. It was essential that the appliances would also meet this brief. After extensive research we went to Fisher & Paykel. The company was able to help us choose the most environmentally friendly options."
But sustainability wasn't the only requirement. Christensen says she wanted designer appliances that would fit with the contemporary aesthetics.
"We chose the very latest Fisher & Paykel appliances to enhance this look," she says. "They also have the functionality required for a busy family that loves to entertain."
The new Fisher & Paykel induction cooktop was an obvious choice, the designer says.
"Even the look of this cooktop, with its frameless glass finish and soft-touch electronic controls, was perfect for this kitchen. Fisher & Paykel was also able to show us the hot-off-the-press OB90 90cm pyrolytic oven, which has a large 86.7-litre capacity, making it ideal for entertaining."
Daniel Varcoe from Fisher & Paykel Appliances says the OB90 is a self-cleaning oven that features extra insulation and quadruple glazed doors for energy efficiency. Electronic controls help to reduce energy wastage, as they prevent temperature fluctuations during cooking, which can typically vary by as much as 10°C.
"The induction cooktop is also an energy efficient way to cook," Varcoe says. "These cooktops have faster heat-up times than gas and traditional electric cooktops."
Fisher & Paykel induction cooktops have Schott Ceran™ ceramic eco glass, made from raw materials in abundant supply. The cooktop has no harmful additives.
Further energy savings are provided by the Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer®. Being able to run half loads in one drawer saves water and energy. There is also an eco mode.
"For this project, we integrated appliances where possible, to enhance the sense of space," says Christensen.
Twin Fisher & Paykel refrigerator-freezers are integrated into the cabinetry towers. Varcoe says each single-temperature refrigerator has a number of features aimed at reducing its impact on the environment, while retaining style and functionality.
"The Adaptive Defrost system, for example, intelligently monitors refrigerator usage patterns and environmental conditions. This information is then used to tune or adapt the defrost period to suit operating conditions. This helps the fridge achieve a 6-star energy rating."
The 90cm-wide Izona CoolDrawer is another appliance with a 6-star rating. This refrigeration drawer features the Active Smart™ system with multiple temperature settings. This ensures that everything from fresh food to frozen goods and even wine can be stored at optimal temperatures, at the touch of a button.
Fisher & Paykel appliances also feature in the laundry in the Waiheke house. Varcoe says the 8kg front-loading washer has been optimised to perform to the highest standard.
"Water consumption is kept to a minimum, but the wash performance is not compromised. This appliance has a 4.5-star WELS water rating and a 3.5-star energy rating."
Contact Fisher & Paykel, phone 0800 FP Care (372 273). Website: www.fisherpaykel.co.nz.
Linda Christensen, phone 029 473 1071; Lite-House website: www.lite-house.co.nz.