Pontbren isn’t reliant on mains services (we have a generator for electric which we charge up before your visit and water supply comes from our own borehole) and we do not plan on connecting up in the future but this does not affect our guests comfort in any way. We have also installed solar panles and a woodburner with back boiler to help heat the water. We hope to introduce a number of greener options over the next couple of years to ensure guests have a wonderful stay with minimal impact to the environment.

We already offer recycling facilities for paper, card, cans, glass, wood and plastic. We also offer composting facilities for waste. Water is harvested from every available down pipe. All outdoor lighting are solar powered and internal bulbs are energy efficient/4w LEDs and we encourage our guests to support local businesses wherever possible to reduce green miles. We make our own glass cleaner and furniture polish from simple ingredients and use ‘eco’ cleaning products. We buy reusable/recycled products wherever possible and encourage our guests to walk/cycle from the door and hope to increase biodiversity with a wildlife patch in the garden and nesting boxes. We adopt the “reduce, reuse and recycle” policy wherever possible.

Over the next couple of years we aim to introduce the following:

Phase 1
To install wood burning boiler to provide hot water and central heating radiators fuelled by sustainable wood supply to reduce the need for the generator. (Completed November 2007).  We have also installed an oil-fired boiler to back up the woodburner and back boiler for added comfort for those who need it.

To build a greenhouse to extend the growing season for crops available to guests.

To install photovoltaic solar panels to help reduce the need for the generator.

Phase 2
To utilise the harvested rainwater for use for flushing toilets and to harvest grey water from the washing machine to help water garden plants.

We are always striving to adopt green practices and welcome any advice or suggestions our guests have to help us achieve this.