How to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels

Even the most green-minded owners struggle to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, but while it might be difficult to free yourself from the fossils, it’s not impossible! While some modifications and additions can be costly, or even impossible if your building is listed or otherwise subject to restrictions, there’s still plenty you can do to drive down your impact. 

This guide helps you gets started on moving from fossil fuels to renewables without risking guest comfort or your business, as well as some tips on the real game changer, reducing usage whatever system your running. 

Step 1: Understanding your energy usage

Before you think about making changes, you need to know two things: 

  1. Power – Daily energy use (kWh per day) 
  1. Demand spikes at peak times  

This handy supporting guide can help you get to grips with your power and energy usage. You can also watch thee webinar we ran, which takes you through the process. 

 

Step 2: Installations or upgrades

You might already have solar or other renewables running, but it’s always taking a look at the latest technology in the field. Green energy is rapidly evolving and sometimes the cost of replacing a system is offset by the later product’s efficiency and reliability.  

Solar Panels & Battery Storage 

  • Although solar panels can’t provide energy year-round, a properly sized system with battery storage can deliver a reliable supply for much of the year. Check out this webinar to learn how to determine if solar is right for you and how to size your system. 
  • Battery storage technology has advanced significantly in recent years, allowing you to boost your capacity with relatively little investment. 

Wind Turbines 

  • Wind power pairs well with solar, especially during winter. Check out this webinar to help determine if wind energy is suitable for you and how to properly size your system. 
  • One potential drawback is that wind installations often require planning permission, which can extend the installation timeline. 

Micro-Hydro  

  • If your property has flowing water with sufficient fall, micro-hydro systems can deliver continuous 24/7 power, often outperforming solar in output 
  • Like wind power, micro-hydro usually requires planning approval and consent from your local environmental agency 
  • Currently, we don’t have a webinar on micro-hydro, but if you use it, we’d love to hear from you to help us create one. 

We can connect you with renewable energy consultants and installers who can help design a system for your site and handle the installation. Reach out to us at sustainability@canopyandstars.co.uk. 

It’s an investment…  
We understand that transitioning your energy usage is an investment and may not always feel affordable. It’s worth calculating the long-term cost of the fuels you use, especially given fluctuating prices. We continually monitor available grants to support sustainable technology investments and are also exploring our own grant and loan opportunities so we can help more of you move towards sustainable energy. Stay tuned for updates. 

 

Step 3: Reduce the Energy Loads (The Game Changer)

Strategically managing energy use in your property is the most effective (and often simplest) way to reduce both bills and emissions. It can also ease pressure on your system and make alternative energy sources more viable. Here’s how to get started: 

Check appliance ratings – Choose A-rated appliances wherever possible to maximize efficiency.  

Remove unnecessary devices – Ask whether certain items are truly needed. For example, a fancy coffee machine or blender might not be essential. Guests can manage without them for a couple of days, and it supports a slower, more mindful holiday experience.  

Consider a wood-burning stove – This could even be a main heat source in smaller properrties but only delivers real benefit if you have access to locally sourced, seasoned wood.  

Encourage guests to save energy – Look at this article for plenty of tips on motivating guests to switch off and reduce energy consumption. 

 

Step 4: Build a safety net – run a small backup generator

Of course, you’ll need to ensure that guests always have the power they need, so a backup generator is essential, even if you fully switch to renewables. For your backup generator, consider: 

  • A small, efficient unit 
  • One that only takes over in extended periods of bad weather,  
  • Is able to automatically top up batteries…  
  • And uses biofuels if possible. Learn more about biofuels here. 

 

Final Thoughts: Renewable Energy Is Becoming the Standard

Today, solar and battery systems are proven, reliable, and becoming increasingly affordable. With the right sizing and by reducing high-energy appliances, many properties can run almost entirely on renewable energy. 

Transitioning isn’t just about cutting fossil fuel use. It also brings: 

Lower operating costs  

Improved guest experience (no noisy generators)  

Stronger eco-branding  

Future-proofing for your business  

As guests become more conscious of the environmental impact of their travel, reducing fossil fuel use benefits both the planet and your business. We’re eager to support your move toward renewables, so if you have questions, suggestions, or insights from your own journey, we’d love to hear from you.