Homeowners looking to boost environmentally-friendly features in their houses should consider tackling the kitchen first, one expert has claimed. Jason Holstine, owner of US-based sustainable architecture company Amicus Green Building Center, noted that food-preparation areas are where people use up the most energy, Earth911.com reports. The kitchen will give you the most bang for your buck, he said, adding Just think, your fridge is running 24 hours a day. Only your utility room will use more electricity overall.The first step to a green eco-friendly makeover is taking an inventory of current faults, such as a leaky kitchen sink, Mr Holstine stated. Once this has been completed, he explained, it is important to separate what can be done by the owner and what jobs will require a professional. Writing for the Guardian, Alok Jha recently recommended purchasing energy-efficient kitchen lighting as doing so himself helped him to cut electricity costs by 60 per cent.