WE’RE A ‘GREEN’ ESTATE:

GREEN ESTATE

We are committed to involve employees and guests in the common goal of preserving and protecting the planet. We engage in sustainable practices that conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impact.

We acknowledge that, in many ways, we, like the global community we serve, are only in the early stages of developing and implementing the many changes that will be necessary to achieve these vital environmental goals. Nonetheless, we strongly believe that our efforts to support a healthy environment serve the interests of both current and future generations and constitute the foundation for enduring success.

And in a more immediate way, they help us keep the fees for your vacation rental far below competitor’s fees. J 

WHAT WE’VE DONE AND ARE DOING: 

CAPE

• We’ve completely renovated the 1800s Cape—picked it up off its crumbling foundation and placed it on an efficient, heat-sustaining foundation, insulated and replaced/repaired all walls, fully insulated the attic, replaced 32 single-pane 150-year-old windows with new double-pane insulated windows with Low E glass
• Updated the furnace system, which feeds hot water to highly efficient radiators, zoned the house so that there is a thermostat in each guestroom controlling a separate zone of heat
• Replaced the inefficient water heater with a new, EnergyStar water heater
• Added an EnergyStar dishwasher
• Replaced the aging roof with a new roof, adding sheathing and insulation
• Installed three low water usage toilets, using substantially less water while achieving a good flush rating

FARMHOUSE

• The Farmhouse is a new structure—a 2008 modular building with 2x6 insulated walls and attic
• The Homer Barn, with the Great Room, is composed of SIPS (structurally-insulated panels) which keep the building well insulated
• All windows are state-of-the-art double pane insulated windows with Low E glass
• The electrical service is state-of-the-art and efficient
• The furnace system supports radiant heat on the first floor, high efficiency baseboard on the second, and the house is zoned so that there is a thermostat in each guestroom and each community room, controlling a separate zone of heat
• We’ve installed a new EnergyStar clothes washer, a new EnergyStar clothes dryer, a new "on-demand" hot water heater (please allow time for the water heater to respond to your "demand" for hot water...about 30 seconds) and an EnergyStar dishwasher
• We’ve installed five low-water-usage toilets, using substantially less water while achieving a good flush rating
• We have created an organic herb garden to supply the kitchens with fresh local herbs and we have a vegetable garden for your meal delights

ESTATE-WIDE

• We have re-used every piece of barn-board taken down from the original on-site backhouse, as well as the Homer Jones barn, from North Waldoboro. We re-use original barn doors, picket fences, historic foundation stones, horse shoes, farm tools, wagon wheels
• We’ve instituted composting and recycling at the estate
• Practice dishwashing by Health Department approved high-temperature sanitizing, eliminating the use of harsh chemicals (bleach)
• Initiated use of refillable dispensers for hand soap and body soap in guestroom baths
• Developed our environmental policy statement.
• Instituted use of biodegradable laundry detergent
• Begun voluntary towel re-use program with cooperation of guests
• Have begun to install new compact fluorescent light bulbs, replacing incandescents where possible, without effecting the building ambiance
• Recycle paper, plastic and glass
• Use electronic or digital communications (email, telephone, text messages) before using paper/print based communications (fax, prints)
• Plus we have low flow showerheads, and we compost leaf and yard waste and all kitchen organics
• We have thinned the woods around the estate according to Town and State guidelines, and with the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden as our guide for soil retention through stump retention. This enhances the wonderful breezes and reduces our mosquito numbers.

We are committed to continuous monitoring and improvement of our environmental practices.