Practical Ideas for Going Green
Heating
Turning down your central heating thermostat by one degree can save you 10% on fuel bills
Invest in draft excluders for doors and windows opening onto the outside
Only heat the rooms being used
Increase loft insulation to 8 inches; this can save up to 20% of heating costs
Add heating controls to your central heating system if you don’t have them
Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows (this can save you £15 a year). Blackout lining also retains in the heat.
Lighting
Change to energy saving light bulbs, especially in areas where lights are used most. A low energy light bulb will save you £10 per year. They last 12 times longer than a standard light bulb. One hotel replaced 120 regular bulbs with 120 5w low ‘e’ candle bulbs and saved £400 per annum.
Use natural light where practical
Don’t light unused rooms
Clean light tubes and fittings at least every two years
Install light reflectos where possible www.elementshydroponics.com
Increase the number of mirrors
Décor should be light in colour to enhance reflection
Hot Water
Turn the thermostat of your water heater down to 60 degrees C
Can you install shower fittings into your guest accommodation? Taking a bath uses approximately 2.25 times more water.
Make sure your tank and pipes are well lagged
Always repair dripping hot water taps
Ensure a plug is available for the sink
If your boiler is 15 years old or unreliable, replace it – you could save 10 – 15% on your fuel bill
Appliances
Don’t leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary
Don’t put food into the fridge while its still hot
Run the vacuum cleaner over the coils on the back of the fridge to remove dust. The motor will run for shorter periods and save cash. Works on the computer as well.
Defrost the freezer before you fill it up – it will run more efficiently
Don't leave electrical items such as TVs, PC screens etc on standby; they use a surprising amount of energy overnight.
Only put the amount of water you need to boil in the kettle
When cooking, put a lid on your pan!
Look for the Energy Efficiency recommended logo when buying appliances. This can save £400 per annum
Savaplug can be used on domestic refrigeration saving 20% of running costs. This can be purchased from Savawatt (UK) 0800 622203. www.savawatt.com
Turn off extractor fans
Install Eco-flush toilet systems. Flushing the loo accounts for 35% of all domestic water use. Installing an eco-flush system can save over 50%. www.ecoflush.com
Installing a ‘waterless’ urinal costs £89 plus £26 annual maintenance, and will save £331 per annum and a staggering 367,920 litres of water. www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk
Cleaning / toiletries
Use ‘green’ cleaning materials
Use washing balls rather than washing powder. This can save £35 per annum on detergent and because of fewer rinse cycles being required can reduce electricity costs too. Check out www.ecozone.co.uk - this explains how they work.
Put a full load in the washing machine. Each load uses around 18 gallons of water. 2 full loads of guest towels as opposed to 7 half loads can save you 90 gallons per week.
Organise a towel arrangement to prevent the needless washing of unused towels – print room notices to inform guests.
Use cold water cycles where possible
Use pottery soap dispensers instead of disposable bottles. www.outofeden.co.uk
Electricity Suppliers
Switch to ‘green electricity suppliers (renewable sources). Examples: Good Energy Ltd, Ecotricity, Powergen GreenPlan…. www.greenelectricity.org
Publicity Material / providing information
Maximize the potential of the Internet (Welcome to E Business)
Virtual tours on your website (reduces the need for a brochure)
Use printing companies that have a commitment to the environment. Severnprint (Gloucester) have a commitment to the environment www.severnprint.co.uk
Where possible, use recycled paper / pens / pencils for instructions / delegate packs / letters. Remarkable Recycled Products are created, designed and manufactured in Britain. The award winning range includes pencils made from recycled vending cups, mouse mats and pencil cases made from re-cycled car tyres and notepads which use 100 per cent recycled paper and board. www.officedog.co.uk or www.greenstat.co.uk
Double-sided printing (print directly to the photocopier)
Menu boards rather than printing out numerous menus
Food & Drink
Where possible, use local food and drink suppliers www.tasteofthewest.co.uk or www.southwestfoodanddrink.com (Click on Buyers Guide and Search ‘ Gloucestershire’.
There is also a directory of Gloucestershire Food and Drink Producers. E mail info@tastegloucestershire.co.uk to receive your free copy.
Travelling
Regular servicing will save money and reduce exhaust emissions
Set up a training programme for driver awareness. Poor driving techniques can increase fuel consumption by 20%
Ensure tyres are checked weekly and arrange for steering to be re-aligned if non-symmetrical tyre wear is noticed
Ensure tyres are appropriately inflated – under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption.
Don’t use the car boot for storage
Use public transport where possible