Encouraging guests to use less energy without compromising the experience

By shaping the environment around your guests and sharing your values in the right way, you can encourage lower energy use without ever making people feel restricted. In fact, many of the most effective ideas actually enhance the experience of staying somewhere memorable. Here are a few practical approaches that Sawday’s owners may find helpful:

Lighting

• Good lighting design can both improve atmosphere and help reduce unnecessary energy use. 

• Make sure light switches are intuitive and easy to find, particularly for outdoor lights. If guests need to go outside to switch a light off, it is much more likely to stay on all night. Clear labelling and thoughtful placement can make a surprising difference. 

• Timers or motion sensors can also work well for outdoor lighting, particularly in gardens or paths. Just ensure guests can override them easily if they’re sitting outside in the evening. 

• Finally, consider the type of lighting you use. Warm ambient lighting often creates a cosy atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in and relax, rather than reaching for additional heaters or brighter lights. 

Heating

Keeping guests comfortable is essential, but there are ways to reduce heating demand while maintaining a welcoming space. 

• Providing alternatives such as high quality blankets, throws and hot water bottles can make a stay feel more luxurious while reducing reliance on electric heating. 

• If your place has a wood burner, make it easy for guests to use it well. Providing dry, seasoned wood, good kindling and clear instructions helps fires burn efficiently and heat the space more quickly. A well lit fire can often become the heart of the stay. 

• Some owners choose to light the fire before guests arrive when check-in times are predictable. This creates an immediate sense of warmth and prevents guests from turning on multiple appliances while the space warms up. 

• Where possible, consider placing thermostats discreetly rather than prominently on the wall. When controls are highly visible, guests are naturally tempted to adjust them more frequently. 

Appliances and thoughtful choices

The appliances you include in a space naturally shape how much energy guests use. 

• Consider what guests truly need for a comfortable stay. Many owners find that simplifying the space can actually improve the experience. A well-chosen collection of board games, books or outdoor activities can be far more memorable than a television. 

• Where appliances are necessary, think about scale. Smaller kettles or appropriately sized equipment can reduce unnecessary energy use without guests even noticing. 

• Socket placement can also influence behaviour. Limiting the number of easily accessible sockets encourages guests to think about what they’re using at any one time. 

Sharing your story

Guests are far more likely to engage with sustainable practices if they understand the thinking behind them. 

• If your property uses renewable energy such as solar panels or a wind turbine, consider telling that story. A simple explanation of how your energy is generated, or how your place has been designed to reduce environmental impact, can spark curiosity and appreciation. 

• Some owners even make this part of the experience. A small noticeboard, welcome note or guestbook page can explain your approach in a friendly, accessible way. 

• Guests don’t need every detail, but sharing the highlights helps people understand the values behind the place they’re staying in. 

Leading by example

Sustainability becomes much more natural for guests when it is clearly part of the wider ethos of the stay. 

• Small touches such as eco-friendly toiletries, locally sourced welcome treats or plastic free essentials all signal that environmental care is part of the experience. When guests see that thoughtfulness throughout the space, they are often happy to follow suit. 

• Language also matters. Encouraging guests with positive suggestions tends to work better than instructions. For example: “Turn off the lights and enjoy the stars outside”, or “Try cooking on the fire for a different kind of evening.”  

These gentle prompts feel like invitations rather than rules. 

Inspiring change beyond the stay

One of the most rewarding aspects of sustainable hospitality is the chance to inspire guests to take ideas home with them. 

Whether it’s learning how to build a better fire, discovering renewable energy in action or simply enjoying a slower, lower energy way of living for a few days, these small experiences can stay with people long after they leave. 

For many guests, a Sawday’s stay is about reconnecting with simple pleasures. Encouraging thoughtful energy use can become part of that story, helping create places that feel both special and responsible. 

If you have any questions or queries about energy reduction/renewable energy, you can get in contact with Tessa on tessa.holmes@sawdays.co.uk.