"Weatherbury
Farm Bed & Breakfast, a 100-acre family vacation spot, was honored for its
success at making energy-saving improvements that protect the environment
while cutting costs ... actually reducing heating costs by 50 percent.
In winning EPA's first ENERGY STARŪ Small Business
Award, a B&B on the Pennsylvania/West Virginia border has graphically
demonstrated how environmental protection and corporate profit go hand in
hand. "Weatherbury
Farm recognizes that it can make a contribution to the environment and make a
good business decision as well,' said W. Michael McCabe, regional
administrator of EPA's mid-Atlantic region.
Proprietor
Marcy Tudor said energy efficient activities started the fist day her B&B
first opened for business seven years ago. 'One
of the most important things we do is ask our guests to reuse towels and wash
cloths which saves a lot of water and electricity,' Tudor said.
The inn,
which features activities for children on its working farm, is situated in a
small community that does not have a recycling program. Tudor said guests are
asked to recycle tin and glass which she then transports to West Virginia's
drop-off center.
Tudor
expanded her energy efficient activities when she recently renovated the
summer kitchen and house. The renovation project included insulation, window
caulking, high efficiency heat pumps and water measures. The insulation alone
cut Tudor's heating bill in half, saving approximately $1,000 a year.
'I'm
an accountant and accountants are always looking for the most efficient ways
of doing thing,' Tudor said. 'The payback was less than one year on our
insulation. Altogether, Weatherbury Farm annually saves an estimated $2,000 a
year and conserves 4,000 gallons of water.'
If
you're starting from scratch, you can build energy conservation into your inn.
Buildings with large south-facing windows make the most of winter solar heat,
saving expensive fuel for those in cold or temperate climates. Similarly,
those in warm climates can shade hot summer sun by installing awnings or
building deep overhangs on the south and west sides of buildings. Ceiling fans
can be installed to improve air circulation throughout the year in low
humidity areas.
To
avoid problems with moisture retention, look out for leaky roofs, insufficient
grading close to damp soil and indications of mold or mildew. Remedies include
good ventilation anywhere moisture is generated.
EPA's ENERGY
STARŪ program has always recognized large corporations for their
energy-efficient activities. But
'It's
important that we do all we can to encourage small businesses to take
advantage of these programs,' McCabe said. 'As more business people become
aware of the effective and efficient way they can protect the environment,
they will also become aware that it is good for their bottom line.'
EPA
offer 21 voluntary partnership programs designed to prevent pollution and save
money. Nationally, 7.427 business saved themselves a total of $3.3 billion;
reduced waste by 7.8 million tons; prevented 80 million metric tons of
greenhouse gas emissions; and save $1.8 billion gallons of water -- the
emissions reductions alone are the equivalent of taking 65 million cars off
the road.
(For
more on how specific energy-saving projects can save money for bed and
breakfast innkeepers ,,,and sometimes qualify for reduced energy bills or
construction grants, see Yellow Brick Road, July-August 1998,
Energy-Efficiency Pays Off for Texas Innkeeper.)
Resources:
Marcy Tudor, Weatherbury Farm, 1061 Sugar Run, Avella, PA 15312, 724/587-3763."
