Oh so Sustainable with Lucy Agace
Lucy Agace founded Responsible Rental Solutions 3 years ago to help guide smaller accommodation owners to incorporate sustainable practices into their businesses. 35 years as an underwater photographer and conservationist, demonstrated to Lucy the urgent need for sustainability action. Lucy provides sustainability certification for the hospitality sector and is a member of the GSTC. She is the UK partner for Green Globe as a professional auditor and certified with the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership. Email: lucy@ gogreensustainability.com FB: Go Green Sustainability URL: https://www. gogreensustainability. com/certification-services/ responsible-rentals
Spring is here and it's the time for new beginnings and fresh starts. As we watch the colourful early flowers spring up, we are reminded how much joy they bring and how they prompt us to start thinking about our outside spaces. By all means change the bed covers or cushions, but why not take a look at some eco-friendly/ sustainability practices to really demonstrate your appreciation for the environment and natural resources. Let's take a look at the ways we can reduce the use of natural resources namely water and energy. I mentioned in the last article about switching to a renewable energy supplier, this is the first step. We already know how fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas are currently the main provider of energy in the UK. We also know burning these fuels emit harmful Greenhouse Gases that collect in the atmosphere causing our planet to heat up. Many of the alternative energy suppliers are purchasing part or all of their electric energy from renewable sources like solar or wind. Energy suppliers such as; Octopus Energy, Utility Warehouse and Ecotricity are market leaders and still in operation. Gas, on the other hand, can only ever be gas there isn’t a ‘clean’ gas. This is why we need to move away from using it. With fuel costs reaching all time highs we should look at ways to reduce usage and this can be done in a number of ways.
Energy •
Make sure all light bulbs are LED
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All appliances should be set on their most efficient setting and turned down or turn off when the property is vacant
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Any new appliances should have an energy star rating of no less than B preferably A
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Install motion sensors to light fittings anywhere it is possible and applicable
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Make sure heating controls are easy to use and easy to understand so guests, in frustration, don’t leave heating on when they are not in so they know they have warm accommodation to return to
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If you have a hot water tank make sure it is well insulated along with any exposed pipes.
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Have the hot water coming on in off-peak times. Heating hot water is known to be very costly
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It might be time to think about offering EV car charging facilities. At the very least guests may need access to a power point near enough to where they can park their vehicle (have a lead handy)
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