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Eco credentials at Eco farm and Eco Lodge apartments
We are proud to be part of environmentally conscious tourism and help protect the delicate infrastructure of our special Alpine environment.
When we took on the task of re-building an old Savoyarde farmhouse we wanted
to include as many environmental features as possible, as well as re-creating a
gorgeous and comfortable Mountain chalet. It took us over 5 years to renovate
Eco Farm.....
- Our central heating system is GEOTHERMIC, 3km of capture pipes buried in our garden harness the stored heat in the ground and it is extracted by a heat exchanging pump. This form of heating uses typically 1/3 of the equivalent energy compared to a conventional system.
The heating system in the chalet is all underfloor, ............there are no
radiators to leave on full blast when out!
- RAIN WATER CAPTURE tanks; we’ve two of these, 6000L each. We can flush our loo’s and use this water for our washing machine
s.
- The chalet was totally rebuilt, we started from a bare shell of the wooden
frame structure. We have re used as much of the original materials as possible,
the original timbers, floors, wall panels and stone. Where needed we’ve sourced
local reclaimed wood (swapping firewood for old sheds, lean-to's and the like!) and local
stone from the quarry in Les Houches. Inside the chalet we have used Trevatino
limestone tiles for the bathrooms and floors from nearby Italy.
- We have a very well insulated roof! Deep section roof insulation offering extremely good "U" value rating.
-
Fermacel, in place of plaster board, has been used throughout the re-build
process (recycled gypsum and cellulose) which has better acoustic, thermal and
environmental properties.
- Our supplementary heating by is via carbon efficient "insert"
wood fire places.
- High performance "Future Planitherm" double glazing throughout.
- Much of the furniture is hand-crafted using reclaimed materials including
the dining table, kitchen units, sofa, doors, bathroom cabinets, window surrounds and balustrade on the mezzanine and balcony.
- We’ve used breathable lime plaster for the exterior and some of the interior walls applied in a traditional manner.
- Eco light bulbs throughout and energy saving electrical appliances.
- In Eco Lodge we have an ETHANOL burner for the fireplace, plus we have put
in place all the necessary provisions in the walls and floors to support an AIR
HEAT SOURCE heating system which we hope to install shortly.
- Current project
underway: We have already purchased a wood pellet burner also waiting
installation for the Loft apartment.
In General
Food
We are passionately interested in food, how it has been grown, who has produced it and how
far it has travelled.
We give our chefs and cooks free reign to use as much seasonal produce as
possible, using ingredients that have been grown in France and if possible,
locally. The excellent local cheeses and air dried hams will always feature on
our menu. Produce is bought locally in the valley ensuring it is fresh and used
quickly. Our house wine (Chateau Crabiere, from the Fronton region
www.LaCrabiere.eu) comes from a small producer who uses the minimum amount of
chemicals on his vines and whilst not certified as organic is close to being
that. We have also pledged to use free range eggs in our catering; they
taste better and are produced humanely. We also keep our own small flock of hens
at Eco Farm and in the summer months have a large vegetable patch so during the
winter season jars of home-made jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys may feature in our
chalet recipes and cuisine!
And as part of our chalet service we supply....
- Natural bathroom toiletries supplied which we have created directly with the
producers, some with organic oils (see www.republicofsoap.com)
- Organic Egyptian
400 cotton sheets and duvet covers (Eco Farm)
- Eco friendly cleaning products and recyclable bin liners included in our
cleaning bags (left in all our properties)
- Local products in the Welcome Pack.
- An organic/free range catering option is available to groups, just ask us
for details
Do your bit here and at home! (Every little bit helps!)
- Turn off lights when leaving the chalet and shut any open windows, keep
doors open for the minimum amount of time.
- Separate your rubbish in the chalet bins provided; paper and recyclable
plastics/glass/general and take to the big 'mollock' bins located close to every
property we have.
- Don't run the water taps un-necessarily (especially when
brushing teeth!)
- Turn off standby mode on any electrical appliances (TV, DVD
player)
- Use the timers to run the washing machine and dishwashers after
00:30, cheap electricity time!
Interested? Learn more about Alpine Environmental projects via
www.energie-montagne.org
www.crea.hautesavoie.net
www.mountain-riders.org
And finally THANKS A LOT for reading this page of our web site!
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