We purchase our electricity from a company which supplies only power generated from 100% renewable resources and we minimise our electricity consumption as far as possible.  We have installed low energy light bulbs where practicable and rely on these as much as we can. 

We harvest rain water for use in the garden and use grey water where possible.  We normally take showers and only very rarely baths.

We have increased roof insulation to comply with current recommendations.

We have reduced significantly our use of the car for local journeys as well as for some longer journeys.

We recycle as much refuse as possible and compost all our kitchen waste.

We use environmentally friendly cleaning products.

We have installed a system of solar powered water heating.

We have had our draughty Victorian sash windows refurbished and double glazed. 

Please use the water you need but be careful not to waste it – apart from Hardwicke Green being on a water meter, all water has to be processed which is carbon costly.  Although we use solar energy to heat as much water as possible, any shortfall has to be heated by oil.

Please turn out lights and other electrical equipment when not in use – although we buy carbon neutral electricity it is at present still a limited commodity.

Please turn down radiators when going out and at night – we are dependent on oil, high in carbon emission, for our central heating.

Please consider giving your car one or more days' holiday while you’re staying with us and take a local walk or use local public transport. 

Please remember that the future of the planet, and the lives of our children and grandchildren, our in our hands.

Thank you.