Keep It Green
Most Island travelers have a strong connection with nature, and want to contribute to the sustainability of our island and the planet, let’s help them with some local information.
1. Transportation
Reducing the amount that vehicles are used by your guests will have a direct impact on the carbon footprint on Hornby Island. The following are a few ideas:
a. Vehicles– Limit the number of vehicles in your short-term rental to one per allowable bedroom. Provide adequate parking to ensure all vehicles are parked on your property and not on the road. This is required in the bylaws
b. Bikes– Encourage the use of bikes and consider providing secure bike storage at your short-term rental.
c. Bus– Ensure your guests are aware of the bus and supply them with the bus schedule. This is a great way to limit the number of vehicles on the road and help the environment. www.Hornbybus.com
d. Roads– Provide information about sharing the road and thinking about what is needed before driving. Many people drive to the co-op two and 3 three times a day. Consider walking or biking there instead.
e. Parking- Parking is at a premium on Hornby Island. Ask you guests to park close (3 feet) from another vehicle in all parking lots, especially at the Co-op and in the Parks, as there are no painted parking stalls.
f. Ferries– the ferries are in high demand during peak seasons, however there are times that they are not as busy during the week/day. Consider assisting your guests in learning about those times and switching their arrival and departure times accordingly. This may mean your check in check out days would change. If your guests are in a line up ensure that they are respectful of the neighbours and do not run their vehicles unnecessarily.
g. Walking– Consider providing your guests with all the places they can walk to in the vicinity of your home. Although many guests may come to the island to walk or ride their bike, they may not know of many of the areas available. Have a trail map for them to use. Ensure road safety information is provided to guests so they understand sharing the road rules on Hornby Island.
2. Energy conservation
Energy use accounts for approximately 60% of a property’s carbon footprint. Luckily, there are some easy, actionable tips you can put into practice to transform your short-term rental into an eco-friendly home.
a. Light Bulbs
LED lights are environmentally friendly and are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting. Incandescent bulbs or compact fluorescent bulbs contain toxic elements. Making the switch is easy and has major long-term benefits.
b. Motion Sensor Switches or Lights
Installing motion activated lighting sensors that turn on and stay on when they detect a presence and turn off in the absence movement will save a bit on energy bills, and there will be less to worry about guests wasting energy by leaving lights on.
c. Energy Efficient Appliances
Use of energy efficient appliances minimizes the exploitation of natural resources. These resources include natural gas, oil, coal, and water. Energy efficiency enhances conservation of these sources as a way to achieve sustainable development.
d. Smart Thermostats
Heating and cooling account for nearly half of your home’s energy costs. A smart thermostat offers both automation and greater control over your home’s temperature and climate – control that could save you a bundle on your energy bill.
e. Outdoor Clothesline
Since the invention of the electric clothes dryer, the number of households that rely on clotheslines to dry clothes has steadily decreased over the years. Hanging your clothes up to dry is easier on the environment and your wallet because it saves you money on energy costs. Even if it’s not practical for you to hang the wash on turnover days, providing the line will allow your guests to have fresh-air laundry.
f. Get Unplugged
Electronic appliances, including TVs, computers, and CD/DVD players can consume almost as much energy when in standby mode as they do during the relatively small amount of time they're being used. Ensure when you or your guests are not in the home that all additional appliances are unplugged.
g. Temperature of Hot Water
Consider reducing the temperature of the hot water tank to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).
h. Change the Hot Water Tank to a Hot Water on Demand System
These systems virtually eliminate standby losses - energy wasted when hot water cools down in long pipe runs or while it's sitting in the storage tank. By providing hot water immediately where it's used, tankless water heaters also waste less water.
3. Alternative Renewable Power Sources
a. Solar Panels
The decrease in the cost of solar panels serves as a great example of why there should be an increase in the use of solar energy. Traditional electricity relies heavily on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Solar electricity boosts your electricity independence.
b. Wind Power
Wind energy is a renewable energy option with near zero greenhouse gas emissions. The use of wind turbines to produce energy has been actively implemented in Europe and California and is growing quickly in Canada. At the micro scale, small wind turbines for individual use are becoming more readily available to consumers. Small wind turbines present opportunities for wind energy to be integrated as an electricity source at the individual building level.
4. Maintenance and Cleaning
Cleaning the refrigerator coils can extend the life of the refrigerator while making it more efficient. Cleaning lint out of dryer hoses helps dryer efficiency and reduces the potential for fire. Make sure ceiling fans are going in the right direction. Cleaning out the screens in water filters, pumps, shower heads, water taps and toilet flush mechanisms assists with the flow of the water but also with the efficiency of the equipment that runs them.
a. Natural Cleaning Products
Instead of buying traditional cleaning products, stock your short-term rental with more Natural solutions. Many products say biodegradable. This only means they break down to the chemical they were formatted with and are not necessarily environmentally good products. Natural cleaning products include:
a. hydrogen peroxide based products
b. 20 mule team borax
c. vinegar
d. baking soda
5. Changing Your Wood-stove to an Alternative Source of Heat (e.g. Propane/heat pumps)
The burning of wood has a direct impact on the environment and the neighbours. Consider switching to an alternative source of heat such as propane or a heat pump system. Also ensure that the chimney of the wood stove is cleaned once or twice a year and the wood stove is an energy efficient one that meets current requirements. Ensure that you check your insurance to ensure that your guests can use the woodstove.
6. Other Ideas
There are many other green practices to make sure your short-term rental is more sustainable. Some may take more effort or a contractor to install, such as energy-efficient windows and others, such as providing cloth shopping bags, or reusable water bottles are easy and have a positive impact on our environment.