Electric

With our continuous implementation of energy efficiency measures over the last eight years it is nearly impossible to establish an operational baseline. Each year we replace large older appliances with new ENERGY STAR efficient appliances. We made four recent appliance investments that will further reduce our electric consumption. 

We’ve adjusted our day-to-day energy consumption behaviors from hang drying clothes, shorten appliance cycles, only washing full loads of dishes and clothes. This year, we’ll be experimenting with hang-drying the linens (only after tree pollen season ends), but not to worry, the towels will still be dried in the dryer!

Replaced over 200 plus traditional incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs on the entire property. 

Green Mountain Power Weekly Energy Consumption Profile Report helps us actively manage our electric consumption. We reduced our quarterly electric consumption over the previous year by 8%.

Oil & Wood

In 2018 we replaced our wood-burning stove with a high-efficiency Jotul cast iron wood stove that reduced our oil consumption 42% over the last three years—we have not purchased fuel oil since August 2021. And, burning wood is a renewable and CO2 neutral source of heating—Jotul stoves are manufactured from 100% recycled scrap iron, which aligns nicely with our overall sustainability efforts.  

We recently purchased six cords of wood for the next 2-3 years—95% of which is ash, considered the second-best wood for burning that produces a steady flame and has a very strong BTU output. 

              
Installed Programmable Thermostats in the Main House and the Loft Apartment Suite that provides improved energy-efficiency and creates a cozy atmosphere throughout our interior spaces.

Weatherization & Environmental Efforts

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Main House

Our cedar shake roof was replaced in 2018 with asphalt shingles that included adding ½" plywood decking that reinforced the roof structure and provided another insulation barrier. We also replaced all the existing fiberglass insulation with ROCKWOOL* building insulation, which was crucial to reducing our energy consumption, and has a superior R-value. Together, with the wood-burning stove we have considerably elevated our overall seasonal comfort. 

      
Garden Cottage

We not only ask our guests for suggestions, but we actually implement their suggestions!

Here’s one example; the Cottage roof is metal; and when it rains the soothing sounds of rain on a metal roof should help you fall into a deep and peaceful sleep—that’s the theory. The flip-side is that it doesn’t! A few of our guests politely mentioned that with heavy rain sleeping is not as delightful as some English literature portray. 

 
That said, we replaced all the existing attic fiberglass insulation with ROCKWOOL* building insulation that not only helped keep the Cottage cooler in the summer months and warmer in the early spring and fall seasons, but  from an acoustical perspective, the product’s attributes significantly reduced the negative impact of rain-noise—now our guests are sleeping more comfortably!

*Impressed with the company, ROCKWOOL, and their Sustainability efforts, we’ve included a link to their Sustainability Page. “It may be a cliché but it’s true - the cheapest, cleanest, safest energy is the energy we don’t use… ROCKWOOL helps households reduce their energy bills, and bring about a greener and more sustainable environment.” Quote from ROCKWOOL.

The Environmental Benefits of Upgrading the Main House Septic System

In 2018 we had a choice of maintaining the current single-septic-tank configuration or adding a second concrete tank to provide a secondary wastewater treatment stage. The cost difference was considerable. The benefit is that the wastewater is further purified by a second-tank filtration step and cleaner semi-purified wastewater is then sent to the drain-field where the water is further purified by filtration & decomposition by microorganisms in the soil. The semi-purified wastewater then percolates to the groundwater system.

Our decision to replace the much smaller plastic tank with two one-thousand-gallon concrete tanks was clear. Although the added cost was significant, it did not compare to the environmental benefits of cleaner wastewater and the reduced stress on our drain-field. Locally, Roberts Plumbing & Heating and Davenport Excavating helped us with our decision and are two of the best in their respective fields. Both are highly recommended and continue performing work on our property every year!