In our 2023 consumer survey, we asked what visitors were prepared to do on holiday to help the environment. 74% would keep the same bedding and towels for duration of the stay and 45% would limit time in shower, therefore reducing both water and energy. Customers are willing to do their bit to become more sustainable and expect tourism businesses to play their part as well. If you are not already encouraging your customers to use less energy and water, consider what ways you can do this and it will most likely save you money too!
Low Carbon Dorset
Low Carbon Dorset offer free technical support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects until March 2025.
Washingpool Farm Shop near Bridport replaced their old open-fronted fridge units with door-fronted equivalents. By carrying out this project, it is estimated they will reduce the amount of energy used for refrigeration by around 61%, which is 28 tonnes of CO2e less per year from their carbon footprint and £15,000 less per year from their energy bills. The total project cost £30,889 and they got a grant of £12,356 from Low Carbon Dorset.
Waterside Holiday Park case study shows how they lowered their energy bills using solar power, LEDS and thermal efficiency. The Waterside Holiday Group operate three holiday parks in Weymouth. This project focused on improving the energy efficiency and increasing the renewable energy at their Waterside and Chesil Vista sites. By installing 115 kWp of solar panels, switching all exterior lighting to LEDs, and fully lagging all pipes in their pool plant room will result in an estimated annual saving of £16,000 a year in energy costs and a reduction of 65 tonnes of CO2e. The project cost £89,091.87 in total and they received a project grant from Low Carbon Dorset of £35,636.75.
Bridport Leisure Centre case study contains information about installing LED lighting with an estimated £3,400 saved annually in energy costs and a reduction of 13 tonnes of CO2 per year. In order to reduce their extremely high energy demand the sports trust replaced the old light fittings in their sports hall and squash courts with 34 highly efficient LEDs. The total project cost was £13,026.50 and they received a project grant from Low Carbon Dorset of £5,210.60.
Harlees Fish and Chips in Verwood case study shows how they have reduced their carbon footprint through the installation of solar panels and being energy efficient. Annually they will save 11 tonnes of CO2e and £2,095 in energy bills. Instead of replacing one of their fryers like-for-like, Harlees invested in a high efficiency replacement fryer – this upgrade will reduce their gas consumption by an estimated 30%. They also installed solar panels (6kWp) to help tackle the emissions from their lighting and refrigeration. The total project cost £79,210 and they received a project grant from Low Carbon Dorset of £20,786.
Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Gillingham case study illustrates how this not-for-profit community asset implemented an energy efficiency project which will save them £48,000 per year in energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint by 195 tonnes of CO2e annually. In 2019, Riversmeet took significant steps to reduce the energy use and costs of their leisure facility by completely redesigning their pool heating and ventilation to be much more energy efficient using a novel heat pump system. They also installed 157 LED bulbs and 12 water and energy saving aerating shower heads. The total project cost was £325,176 and they received a project grant from Low Carbon Dorset of £130,070.40.
