Environment

We care about the environment!

Some practices:

Energy
• We use solar plates for the production of hot water
• We use, progressively, lamps of low consumption
• Use natural light whenever possible, to avoid the light lamps during the day
• Ask guests and staff to save electricity
• Do not use microwave
• Instruct the staff to use a washing machine with greater capacity possible
• The clothes are dried in the sun and only use the dryer as a last resort
• Use of motion sensors and clocks to reduce the time of illumination in common spaces outside

Water
• The drinking water is controlled and disinfected, as the parameters of the law, to ensure their quality
• We avoid the waste of water
• We ask guests to save water
• Towels and bed linen are changed, weekly, or, exceptionally, at the request of guests
• We use the machine to wash with the increased capacity possible
• We use water taken from the mountain in the garden irrigation
• We collect, accumulate and use the water from our water sources for irrigation of the garden and the vegetable garden
• Systems use in a drip irrigation and micro irrigation in the spraying of plants and gardens
• We treat the water of the pool with "Aquabromo", derivative product of the sea, instead of chlorine that is a product considered dangerous

Residues
• We collect selectively glass, paper and cardboard, batteries and organic waste
• We collect small waste generated by our guests
• We treat ecological the organic waste
• We alert the local authorities for the placement of a new eco-point in the area
• We use the ecological compound that we have produced, for fertilization of the plants in our orchard and garden
• We use recycled and ecological paper
• We re-use the reverse of roles for blocks of notes and others
• We use the remains of the roll of toilet paper
• Old and used clothing is used for the cleaning cloth
• We do not use cutlery, dishes and disposable packaging
• We use recyclable packaging and / or reusable
• We use detergents and cleaning products manufactured under environmental management systems
• We prefer suppliers with ecological criteria
• We buy in bulk, avoiding portions
• We value the consumption of natural products, fresh and of the season (in our garden)
• We value the consumption of products of local farmers (Prazeres Farmers Market)
• We value the purchase of packaging products in glass, instead of metal, paper and plastic
• We avoid the consumption of colorful toilet paper made with chlorine
• We avoid the purchase of non-reusable products packaging in small portions or individuals
• Use ecological systems of the pool chlorination
• We use e-mail with consequent savings in paper
• We have a well to wash the hiking materials, to avoid the cleaning on the bathroom with fresh towels

Exteriors
• We are part of the natural habitat of the area (respect the architecture of the region)
• Build, predominantly in stone, iron and wood
• Use craft products decor
• We re-use many pieces of antique furniture
• Build many pieces of furniture with use of objects and wood quality
• We have no asphalt areas
• The furniture from the outside is all wood
• We do not use any plastic furniture
• The parking is made of stone and hidden with hedges and trees
• We use indigenous plants
• We use to maximum the green areas
• We avoid the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
• We integrated in our garden an ecological orchard

Activities
• Inform excursions and activities that respect the environment
• We encourage ecological transports: bike rental, covers for rain, “Cana” Sticks, walks
• We inform the cultural offer of the area: Culture House of Calheta, Monuments, popular parties…)

Atmospheric and Sound Quality
• We are non smokers
• We are situated in the country, with clean and fresh air
• We take advantage of natural ventilation
• We do not have air conditioning
• On the access of our house, circulate, only, about ten cars
• We have a car fleet 50 meters from the House
• We recommend the use of moderate volume on the sound equipment
• We advice the local authorities for the need to decrease the speed of vehicles