Our Commitment to Sustainability
Our sustainability journey is driven by a commitment to minimize our environmental impact. This commitment is reflected in the numerous measures we’ve adopted:PG&E 100% Solar Choice Program: In partnership with our utility company, PG&E, we’ve joined their 100% solar energy program. This ensures that all electricity used in our cabins comes directly from the sun, a renewable and clean source of energy.
Low-Flow Toilets: With an eye toward water conservation, we’ve replaced all our toilets with low-flow models. These efficient fixtures use significantly less water with each flush- a pretty simply eco-friendly switch.
Energy-Efficient Heating/Cooling: We replaced the Chalet’s gas furnace in the game room with a more efficient electric mini-split cooling and heating unit. This change helps us use more electricity than propane, and generally heat and cool that space more efficiently.
Sustainable paper products Using Eco-Friendly Products: As part of our commitment to the environment, we’ve switched to renewable toilet paper and paper towels from the eco-friendly company Who Gives a Crap.
Dual-Pane Windows: In our ongoing efforts to reduce energy use, we recently upgraded three windows in the Chalet to dual-pane models, which provide better insulation and reduce energy loss. Eventually, we intend to replace more windows in the cabins, as more of a long-term investment.
Smart Energy Management: Learning from the habits of our guests and seasons, we use remote thermostats and home automation devices (Bobby’s new hobby!) to control our heating and cooling systems and some of our lights. This process prevents energy waste when the cabin is empty. We use Ecobee thermostats, and the Homey automation system (just switched from Smartthings).
EV Charging On-Site:As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity, we recognize the need to adapt to changes in how people travel. With more families opting for EVs to reduce their carbon footprint, it’s essential that vacation destinations provide convenient charging options. That’s why we’ve installed EV charging stations at both of our cabins, ensuring that guests who drive electric vehicles can enjoy their stay without worrying about where to charge their car.
By offering this convenience, we’re not only making it easier for guests to choose a sustainable travel option, but we’re also doing our part to promote environmentally responsible tourism. Our charging stations are compatible with most EV models (standard J1772), making them accessible for a wide range of guests. Whether you’re driving a Tesla or a Chevy Bolt, you can plug in your vehicle right on-site and rest assured that it will be ready to go when you are. For many, this added convenience enhances the overall experience, allowing guests to relax and recharge—both literally and figuratively—during their stay.
For more info about driving your EV to the Arnold area, see our blog post Driving your EV to Arnold and Dorrington.
Energy-Efficient LED Lighting: As part of our energy conservation efforts, we’ve installed energy-efficient LED bulbs in the majority of our lighting fixtures. These bulbs consume significantly less energy than traditional bulbs, leading to lower energy consumption and less environmental impact.
We Can’t Do As Much as We’d Like
While we strive to be as green as possible, some sustainability measures are just not feasible for us at this time due to our location in the mountains and the nature of our rentals.
Reliance on Propane for Heating: Our area’s chilly mountain climate requires reliable heating. Propane has proven to be the most effective way to heat our cabins, mainly when electricity is unreliable. Additionally, the monumental cost of replacing the propane furnaces currently in place makes this a prohibitive change at this stage.
Solar Panel Installation: Installing solar panels on our properties isn’t viable. Our cabins are nestled in a wooded area, which, while offering serene beauty and privacy, doesn’t provide ample sun exposure needed for efficient solar power generation.
Composting: We compost our kitchen waste at home, but in a rental context, this just isn’t practical. Managing a compost program in a vacation rental situation would pose challenges that we are not equipped to deal with at this time. Similarly, our county waste company doesn’t offer green waste disposal for food scraps yet—hopefully, they will in the future.
These realities don’t curb our enthusiasm for striving towards sustainability, however. While we can’t implement every green option, we will continue our efforts where we can and explore new possibilities as they become available and feasible.
We Continue to Learn and Improve
While we are proud of what we’ve done, we realize there’s still a long way to go. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Every day, we learn something new about reducing our impact on the environment. Striving for sustainability at Evergreen Dorrington isn’t just about doing what’s right for our business; it’s about doing what’s right for our planet and future generations. We invite all our guests to join us on this journey!
