A gem of the Highlands, Carrbridge Hotel is becoming almost as green as its lush surroundings with a whole raft of energy-saving changes already implemented and more on the way.
The 19th-century hotel in the Spey Valley has come a long way since it opened its doors as an inn for weary travellers in 1803.
More than 200 years later, the 130-room hotel providing accommodation for more than 200 guests, as well as employment for around 40 staff, is firmly in the 21st century.
With the introduction of updated heating, insulation, double glazing, solar panels and LED lighting, not only is the hotel warm and welcoming no matter how severe the Scottish winter, it has also reduced its carbon emissions by almost 90 per cent over the past 10 years. And with plans for adding to the existing solar panels and double glazing, the business is destined to become even more self-sufficient.
“It costs nothing to contact Business Energy Scotland. That’s the starting point. You get a fresh pair of eyes and the support to pull together an action plan.”
Colin Watt, managing director, knows he couldn’t have made the changes without the support of Business Energy Scotland and its predecessors.
“Without the input and guidance of Business Energy Scotland, we wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are today. Their help has been phenomenal.”
The hotel’s green journey started with the programme 12 years ago when there was a fear that staff would have to be laid off during the winter months with energy costs soaring to over £500 a day, making staying open a financial challenge.
The early advice looked at the quick wins, including switching to LED lightbulbs with movement sensors, ensuring lighting wasn’t used in public corridors if there was no-one around, loft insulation and thermostatic valves on the radiators providing greater control of the temperatures.
“I can’t recommend Business Energy Scotland enough. Approaching them for support was a game-changer for the hotel.”
The report from the programme also recommended updating the heating system. “That was a serious commitment and a substantial outlay,” said Colin. “It was a major leap of faith for us, but it paid major dividends.”
Two years later, the hotel took further advice from a Business Energy Scotland consultant’s report and installed solar panels that currently supply around 25 per cent of the hotel’s total electricity. As well as further decarbonising the business, Colin explained that there were additional benefits, including making the hotel more desirable as a green destination and improving operational efficacy.
“It also meant we didn’t have to look at becoming a seasonal operation. The hotel could stay open all-year round with staff employed full-time.”
The next step for the hotel is to install more double glazing and solar panels with smart battery storage to further increase the hotel’s operational efficacy and decarbonisation.
Colin said: “It has been quite a journey. But if I had to give one piece of advice, it would be ‘speak to the experts’. You can’t do it all by yourself.
“I can’t recommend Business Energy Scotland enough. Approaching them for support was a game-changer for the hotel.”
“It costs nothing to contact Business Energy Scotland. That’s the starting point. You get a fresh pair of eyes and the support to pull together an action plan.”
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