Duddings Country Cottages
Key 'green' issues facing the business
- With 13 units, it was not cost effective to overhaul all appliances with energy saving alternatives.
- There is little control over guest's behaviour once in the units.
What has the business done so far?
Wall-mounted soap dispensers onsite save packaging, and save money by buying refills in 5 litre tubs.- All types of main recyclables are recycled by the business, except some types of plastic.
All units have oil and electric meters read at check-in and check-out and guests are only charged for what they use.- Beech hedges have been planted adjacent to playing field to aid flood defence.
- Sun pipes installed to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Future 'green' developments
- Identify where largest difference in energy savings lie. This can be achieved by checking the efficiency ratings of boilers and appliances on-line, and replacing the most inefficient models.
- Analysing energy use by bed night can reliably show how improvements are making difference. This can be communicated to guests as a 'thank you' to encourage increased take up.
- Influencing guest behaviour subtly by providing bespoke information on local area. This is more user-friendly and useful for guests, reduces paper waste and saves staff time in updating and rearranging flyers in all units.
Top 'green' tips
- Sun pipes installed on-site (£200 kit) illuminate hallways and bathrooms - this saves energy from artificial lighting.
For more information contact: Richard Tilke,Duddings Country Cottages, Timberscombe, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 7TB, 01643 841123, www.duddings.co.uk






