{"id":8171,"date":"2023-04-19T16:22:55","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T15:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/?p=8171"},"modified":"2025-02-17T09:23:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T09:23:25","slug":"how-to-make-your-holiday-cottage-eco-friendly-and-more-sustainable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-make-your-holiday-cottage-eco-friendly-and-more-sustainable\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Holiday Cottage Eco-Friendly and More Sustainable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Becoming more eco-friendly is now a part of everyday life.\u00a0Looking after our planet is at the top of many people\u2019s priorities. From the food we eat to the packaging, it\u2019s supplied in, right through to the cars we drive. Becoming more sustainable is something we can all strive towards.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The case is no different for new and prospective holiday homeowners. Who wants to invest in a property<\/a> that has a reduced impact on its environment?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Many properties listed on our website have outstanding sustainability records. Opting for new methods of powering and heating that are better for the environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>As the years go by we\u2019ve noticed a trend in owners’ ambitions to become more eco-friendly and sustainable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this blog, we\u2019ll look at why running a green property can be an advantage. The reasons for doing so, and how you can get started on your own green homeowner journey.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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What is sustainability and why does it matter?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sustainability comes in many forms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s something adopted by the public at large, and by many industries.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The recent boom in electric vehicles to reduce emissions is a first step by our society to reduce its carbon footprint.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>With environmental issues becoming prevalent, we\u2019re looking for new ways to make a difference.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is also true for holidaymakers. A big driving force in the rise of UK staycations is guests wanting breaks that do less harm to the environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>26% of Brits said they\u2019re more likely to consider a UK break now due to concerns for the environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a>Many people are now pledging to live more sustainably. And many are looking to continue this when they holiday.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A more eco-friendly property will stand out to the more eco-conscious travellers. And as the trend continues to grow, help net you more bookings! <\/span>We\u2019re actually on our own sustainability journey here at Menai Holiday Cottages.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>As part of Sykes Cottages, we\u2019re a BCorp<\/a> certified company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This means we\u2019re making a conscious effort to make a difference inside and outside our business. We\u2019re committed to making the world around us a better place. Our teams partake in voluntary days where they head out into the world and support local causes! We also make sure all our suppliers and business practices meet certain eco standards. We can help put you in touch with the right people to make your holiday let more sustainable and eco friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to make your property more sustainable<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"zero<\/p>\n

Making your property more sustainable can seem like a daunting task \u2013 and sometimes it can be.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Depending on the age of your property, or other structural concerns. Making eco-friendly changes can be costly and time-consuming.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re not worth looking into and considering.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Eco-friendly features can reduce your operating costs and make your property more profitable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Start small and work your way up!<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t have to go big to go green. Here are some smaller steps you can take to get you on your way to a more sustainable property.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Energy-saving light bulbs<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Making your property more energy efficient<\/a> is a great place to start. <\/span>It benefits the environment and can help reduce your bills.\u00a0<\/span>Replacing lightbulbs with LEDs<\/a> is a quick and easy way to reduce energy consumption.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Additionally, you could invest in smart bulbs<\/a> that give you control over when they are on. Letting you cut down on energy consumption when you know the property is empty.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Replace the old appliances<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

A slightly more costly investment, but one that pays for itself in the long run.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Switching to more energy-efficient appliances is another way to help reduce energy consumption.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Most new appliances are now sold with an energy rating<\/a>. Making it easy for you to see which ones will save you the most amount of money from regular use.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep in mind that replacing all your appliances can impact the feel of your property. You may want to keep that historic feel that helps your property stand out. We understand this.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>If you do decide to invest in new appliances, consider getting A++-rated ones. These will save you the most money in the long term.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shop around for a green energy tariff<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Switching your energy provider can be a great way to go green.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Many providers now offer an eco-friendly energy tariff. These source electricity from renewables like wind and solar. <\/span><\/p>\n

Switching to renewable energy helps reduce the carbon footprint of your property. It also helps grow the renewable energy sector. Which means there\u2019ll be more investment for future generations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Consider the location of your property, and get as much information as possible. <\/span>There may be local restrictions or access restrictions you might need to address.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Go big for your home!<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re a bigger eco-enthusiast and you\u2019re looking for tips on where to start, these are for you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>These will take more investment and time, but the payoffs are even bigger!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Power the property yourself!<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Want to make your property as sustainable as possible?\u00a0<\/span>Consider investing in alternative power options that are more self-sustaining.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Solar, Hydro and Wind are all options that are worth considering.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Solar panels are becoming popular with holiday homeowners<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Rooftop solar panels are the most popular option. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a large garden or some land attached to your property, you can also add them here.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The downside of solar is you need the sun! And we\u2019re in the UK so it can be rare so it\u2019s not quite possible to be reliant on solar yet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A less common option is hydro. If you have a river running past your property and have the right to access it. Consider including a turbine to divert some of that natural power into your home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You could also consider wind power. Though less common, the inclusion of a wind turbine can be a great source of renewable energy. If your property is in a rural area and you\u2019re not restricted by local laws, a few turbines could provide enough electricity to fulfil all your needs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Insulate, insulate, insulate!<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

We can\u2019t stress enough the impact good insulation can have on a property. Particularly older properties!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Investing in good insulation is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of energy wasted at your home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Good insulation helps your property retain heat, keeping it warmer for longer. This means you\u2019ll spend less on heating bills and will waste less energy heating your home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The most common area for insulation is the loft cavity. This is a huge empty space where heat can rise and escape.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>There may be insulation grants available. We always advise checking local authority websites before investing in expensive insulation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Support local<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not only your home that has a carbon footprint. The contents do too!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Consider shopping locally for the furnishings inside your property. Use local tradespeople. And encourage your guests to buy foods and produce from local growers and suppliers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>An overlooked aspect of our impact on the environment is the things we buy. These have a huge carbon footprint. Reducing the distance each item has to travel can impact our environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips and reminders<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Starting your sustainability journey can be difficult.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>There\u2019s a lot to learn and there\u2019s a lot of work that can be done.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Don\u2019t feel that you need to change absolutely everything overnight \u2013 it\u2019s a challenge to tackle one task at a time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s up to you how you transform your home after all.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Here are some handy tips that you can do right away to help kick-start your journey:\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

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  • Leave re-useable shopping bags at your property for guests to use.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Provide ample recycling options for guests \u2013 with thorough instructions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Choose to stock your home with eco-friendly products like washing powders and soaps.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Replace your shower head with low-flow alternatives to save water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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          • Encourage guests to use the eco-mode on appliances that have one.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n

            Going green is going to take time and transforming your property can be a difficult task.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Small steps towards sustainability can do a lot for your impact on the environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Whether you’re looking to save costs or reduce your property\u2019s carbon footprint there\u2019s no better time to start than now.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>If you\u2019d like more advice on how to make your property eco-friendlier, or if you\u2019re curious about investing in holiday property contact a member of our team today!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Becoming more eco-friendly is now a part of everyday life.\u00a0Looking after our planet is at the top of many people\u2019s priorities. From the food we eat to the packaging, it\u2019s supplied in, right through to the cars we drive. Becoming more sustainable is something we can all strive towards.\u00a0 The case is no different for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":8180,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-owner","location-north-wales"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8171"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10206,"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8171\/revisions\/10206"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}