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Discover various ways to make your holiday let greener with our eco friendly holiday home tips – ranging from quick wins to bigger investments. The money you save from being more efficient can then be invested in other more indulgent areas that also matter to guests, like repainting any marks on walls, replacing bed linen, or installing a hot tub, which so many guests ask for!
If you own a holiday let, you’ll already know that running costs, guest satisfaction, and long-term maintenance are always at the forefront of your mind. One area that can tick all three boxes is making your property more eco-friendly. Not only can sustainable improvements save you money, but they can also enhance comfort for your guests and boost your ratings as guests look for eco-conscious places to stay.
How To Make Your Holiday Home Eco Friendly
Some green improvements will certainly help you win new guests, as well as increasing loyalty from existing customers. Some guests can think that period properties are cold in the winter months therefore, introducing energy-efficient changes can help make your property more appealing over the winter months, encouraging those all-important low season visits and attracting more year-round bookings.
A few simple green upgrades can give your holiday home real distinction, helping you stand out from the crowd. Reinvesting the savings can, in turn, increase the rates you can charge.
Low season is the perfect time for making changes to your holiday let and a robust maintenance plan actually goes a long way towards making sure your property is more energy efficient.
When it comes to loss of heat, the windows and the roof are the most obvious places to start. You will need to check your loft insulation and think about any necessary improvements to the windows. Secondary glazing or replacement double glazing can optimise heat retention as well as decreasing drafts.
Whilst guests won’t necessarily see improvements to draught proofing and loft insulation, these improvements can make a huge difference in how warm and cosy your property is for guests, as well as saving you money on energy bills.
A couple of quick fixes include applying draught excluding tape to external doors and your letterbox, installing radiator foil between the radiators and walls and making sure radiators are not covered up by furniture, so that the heat can circulate the room more easily.
Eco-Friendly Design
It’s not actually difficult to make period homes, that are filled with original features, character and charm entirely eco-friendly, but the fabrication of 16th and 17th-century properties showcase some of the best green credentials. It’s just a case of staying true to the original design when planning your renovations.
For example, when refreshing your decoration, environmentally-friendly paints are available that won’t suffocate original stone walls like heavy chemical paints can, allowing the walls to breathe. House plants can also help with aeration, as well as creating an agreeable ambience for guests.
Think about the textures throughout the home. Layering rugs on wooden or stone floors provides a warm and cosy feel, as well as stopping draughts, cushions and throws on sofas and beds ooze comfort and warmth whilst thermally-lined curtains not only keep heat inside but make for darker rooms which are ideal for a good night’s sleep.
We know from our customer research that guests choose a holiday home based on its interior design, appearance and individuality. Using art created by local artists adds a ‘sense of place’ and helps to make a holiday cottage feel like a home from home.
Eco-friendly Toiletries and Cleaning Products
For the eco credentials there are many locally sourced brands that produce beautiful products for the home, from eco-friendly soaps and hand wash to kitchen products such as washing up brushes and sponges.
Using eco-friendly refills rather than replacing with single use plastics is more cost-effective and helps to send less wastages to landfill.
Make sure your holiday home is equipped with ‘greener’ cleaning equipment and choose a zero-plastic approach, using airtight containers, rather than individually wrapped items. Include information on recycling points in your welcome pack, as well as information on exploring the area without a car.
Eco Friendly LED Lighting
Swap our traditional bulbs for LED alternatives. These us up to 80% less energy and last far longer, meaning fewer replacements and reduced electricity bills.
Eco Friendly Appliances
When it’s time to replace the white goods, choose ‘greener’ models with strong energy ratings. Washing machines, dishwashers and fridges all consume less power now than older versions and often use much less water. Outside, a water butt in the garden can be used to water plants. These small and inexpensive changes will improve your guest’s experience and your bottom line, whilst doing a little bit for the environment.
Smart Thermostat and Timers
Guests don’t always consider the heating bill, so a smart thermostat can help maintain comfort while also preventing the boiler from running unnecessarily. Many systems allow you to set schedules remotely between guests stays. Just remember to leave instructions for guests to edit this should then want to during their stay.
Blackout Curtains or Thermal Blinds
These improve insulation and comfort by keeping bedrooms cooler in summer months and warmer in winter, while also helping guests sleep better. Win-win!
Water-Saving Fixtures
Aerated shower heads and dual-flush toilets can cut water use without impacting guest comfort. They’re inexpensive to install and pay off quickly.
Electric Car Charging Points
EV ownership is rising fast in the UK, and offering an electric vehicle charging point in your holiday home could make your listing more attractive. Guests may even choose your property specifically for this convenience.
Solar Panels
If your property gets good sunlight, investing in solar panels can reduce running costs significantly over a longer period. This is a bigger upfront expense, but it can make the difference to both bills, and eco-conscious guests.
Recycling Facilities
Make it easy for guests to recycle by providing clearly labelled bins as per your councils recycling schemes. The trick is to make everything as simple as possible for guests during their stay and upon checkout.
Better Insulation
If your property is draughty, adding insulation in lofts, cavity walls, or under floors can make it warmer in winter months and cooler in summer. Not only will guests appreciate a well-ventilated home, you’ll notice the savings.
By making your holiday let more eco-friendly, you’re not just reducing your costs, you’re also improving guest comfort, future-proofing your property and helping to make small environmental changes. Whether you start with LED bulbs or insulate a loft space, every step towards sustainability can set your holiday let apart.
If you’re looking to generate a second income from a property, a holiday let in the Cotswolds could be the perfect investment. You can make a good profit as well as having somewhere for yourself for weekends and holidays.
To find out more about our services you can call 01993 259444 or email owners@staycotswold.com
