Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Innkeepers: Is your Bed and Breakfast Eco-Friendly?
By Kathy Steinemann
If we intend to leave our planet inhabitable for future generations, we must act now. There are many environmentally friendly changes you can apply. Some are free or relatively inexpensive. Read this article for more details.
If we intend to leave our planet inhabitable for future generations, we must act now. There are many environmentally friendly changes you can apply in your bed and breakfast or inn. Some are free or relatively inexpensive. Read this article for more details.
Free
Turn off or adjust heating and air conditioning in unoccupied guestrooms. About an hour before guests are scheduled to arrive, readjust to comfortable levels.
Older toilets waste water. Place a brick into the tank to reduce the amount of water needed for every flush.
Decrease the temperature of your hot water tank to 130°F (55°C). Water will be hot enough for showering and washing dishes, but the cost for heating will be reduced. If your bed and breakfast allows children, consider reducing the temperature even further: 120°F (49°C). A child's skin burns in 1/4 the time that it takes to burn an adult.
Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. In many cases, you can utilize vinegar and water, pure orange oil, and other natural alternatives.
Learn to cook with your microwave. Many standard recipes have microwave alternatives - which prepare more quickly and require less energy.
Use the air dry setting on your dryer when feasible.
Disposable duster cloths (like 'Swiffer') can be reused several times. Wash in plain cold water, then use the air dry cycle in your dryer. The cloths will not come out white - but they will be dust free. Once their useful dusting life has been depleted, launder them with bleach and air dry one final time. They make good stuffing for toy animals and other handmade items.
Relatively Inexpensive
Microfiber cleaning cloths are little miracle workers for cleaning and dusting. You can buy different types for dusting, window washing, and greasy messes. In many cases you do not need to use cleaning fluids - they work dry or with a little bit of water. When they get really dirty, launder and reuse them.
Exchange incandescent light bulbs for energy-saving alternatives - or replace with fluorescent fixtures.
Double check the insulation in your inn's attic. Adding more insulation can make appreciable differences in heating and cooling costs.
Install indoor motion-sensing light receptacles in places like guest bathrooms, hallways, and other areas where guests (or you) may leave the lights on by accident. Check the range of the sensors, and do not place too close to sleeping quarters.
If you must replace appliances, choose Energy Star alternatives - which use 10% to 50% less electricity to operate.
If your rooms have coffee makers, make sure that they turn off automatically when not being used. Not only does this save energy, but it helps to prevent fires.
More Expensive
Increase climate control efficiency by modernizing windows. Speak to a professional about the various options available, and choose the most energy-efficient window treatments that you can afford. The initial expense may seem high - especially for a large inn - but the windows will ultimately pay for themselves as your heating and air conditioning bills are reduced.
Is it time to repaint your bed and breakfast? Consider switching to vinyl or aluminum siding. An extra layer of insulation can be added between your old exterior and the new siding. Climate control costs will be lower, and you won't have to repaint every few years.
If you are designing a new bed and breakfast, plan for extra insulation (and soundproofing) in the walls between rooms. Investigate other ways of building eco responsibility into the inn's design as well.
Ask your Guests to Participate
Prepare a brochure outlining what your inn is doing to protect the environment. Let guests know that any eco-friendly measures will ultimately translate into a safer planet. Include a suggestion section. Most guests will be happy to participate, and some may have valuable ideas that you can implement in the future.
Use your Imagination
Be on the lookout for more ideas as you browse the internet, read the newspaper, and watch television. Let's help to give our world the gift of a positive future!
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann:
About the Author:
Searching for a bed and breakfast, hotel, or hostel? Visit 111 Travel Directory. Trying to find some great travel tips? Surf over to 1000 Tips 4 Trips. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
If we intend to leave our planet inhabitable for future generations, we must act now. There are many environmentally friendly changes you can apply. Some are free or relatively inexpensive. Read this article for more details.
If we intend to leave our planet inhabitable for future generations, we must act now. There are many environmentally friendly changes you can apply in your bed and breakfast or inn. Some are free or relatively inexpensive. Read this article for more details.
Free
Turn off or adjust heating and air conditioning in unoccupied guestrooms. About an hour before guests are scheduled to arrive, readjust to comfortable levels.
Older toilets waste water. Place a brick into the tank to reduce the amount of water needed for every flush.
Decrease the temperature of your hot water tank to 130°F (55°C). Water will be hot enough for showering and washing dishes, but the cost for heating will be reduced. If your bed and breakfast allows children, consider reducing the temperature even further: 120°F (49°C). A child's skin burns in 1/4 the time that it takes to burn an adult.
Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. In many cases, you can utilize vinegar and water, pure orange oil, and other natural alternatives.
Learn to cook with your microwave. Many standard recipes have microwave alternatives - which prepare more quickly and require less energy.
Use the air dry setting on your dryer when feasible.
Disposable duster cloths (like 'Swiffer') can be reused several times. Wash in plain cold water, then use the air dry cycle in your dryer. The cloths will not come out white - but they will be dust free. Once their useful dusting life has been depleted, launder them with bleach and air dry one final time. They make good stuffing for toy animals and other handmade items.
Relatively Inexpensive
Microfiber cleaning cloths are little miracle workers for cleaning and dusting. You can buy different types for dusting, window washing, and greasy messes. In many cases you do not need to use cleaning fluids - they work dry or with a little bit of water. When they get really dirty, launder and reuse them.
Exchange incandescent light bulbs for energy-saving alternatives - or replace with fluorescent fixtures.
Double check the insulation in your inn's attic. Adding more insulation can make appreciable differences in heating and cooling costs.
Install indoor motion-sensing light receptacles in places like guest bathrooms, hallways, and other areas where guests (or you) may leave the lights on by accident. Check the range of the sensors, and do not place too close to sleeping quarters.
If you must replace appliances, choose Energy Star alternatives - which use 10% to 50% less electricity to operate.
If your rooms have coffee makers, make sure that they turn off automatically when not being used. Not only does this save energy, but it helps to prevent fires.
More Expensive
Increase climate control efficiency by modernizing windows. Speak to a professional about the various options available, and choose the most energy-efficient window treatments that you can afford. The initial expense may seem high - especially for a large inn - but the windows will ultimately pay for themselves as your heating and air conditioning bills are reduced.
Is it time to repaint your bed and breakfast? Consider switching to vinyl or aluminum siding. An extra layer of insulation can be added between your old exterior and the new siding. Climate control costs will be lower, and you won't have to repaint every few years.
If you are designing a new bed and breakfast, plan for extra insulation (and soundproofing) in the walls between rooms. Investigate other ways of building eco responsibility into the inn's design as well.
Ask your Guests to Participate
Prepare a brochure outlining what your inn is doing to protect the environment. Let guests know that any eco-friendly measures will ultimately translate into a safer planet. Include a suggestion section. Most guests will be happy to participate, and some may have valuable ideas that you can implement in the future.
Use your Imagination
Be on the lookout for more ideas as you browse the internet, read the newspaper, and watch television. Let's help to give our world the gift of a positive future!
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann:
About the Author:
Searching for a bed and breakfast, hotel, or hostel? Visit 111 Travel Directory. Trying to find some great travel tips? Surf over to 1000 Tips 4 Trips. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
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