What is a sustainable Vacation Home?
- Dan Engel
- Oct 22, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 22, 2018
The word sustainable has been so over-used lately that I hesitated to include it...However it’s the best way to describe something that is built to last and able to “sustain” itself.
sus·tain·a·ble /səˈstānəb(ə)l/adjective.
Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
Vacation homes are typically 2nd homes for most people and were either bought on a whim because of a romantic idea or with the intention of using it as a profit center. Either way, there was probably very little thought put into actually managing a short term rental and how utility expenses and inefficiencies can eat up profits...quickly.
When most people go on vacation, everything they’ve ever learned about turning off the A/C when doors & windows are open or simply shutting it off before leaving, goes out the window...literally. I call it vacation mentality. Whether you plan on managing the house yourself or hiring a professional Vacation Manager, there are ways to help mitigate these costs and reduce resource consumption.
Previously, I worked at a software company that connected Smart door locks, thermostats and sensors to make it easier for guests to check in and have a perfectly heated or cooled unit upon arrival. Combined with door and window sensors, you can set the system to automatically shut off if a door or window is open. This not only helps the environment, but can also potentially save the homeowner hundreds of dollars annually. This sort of setup can be done by yourself using off the shelf Smart Home Products, DIY gets much trickier however if you want to manage over 20 homes.
Sensors can also be used to detect water leaks remotely and notify you immediately of any issues, potentially saving thousands of dollars & hundreds or thousands of gallons of water from being wasted.
EngelHausen was started with the goal to build and/or acquire homes for the vacation market with sustainability as a key proponent (I have a thing about waste, whether it’s food, energy or time.) Our first project is a 100 year old house in Jerome Az. Remodeling an old home can be considered a “green” effort if done correctly. You just need to put a little thought and consideration into conserving existing materials and reusing them somewhere else on the project. Tearing down an old structure and re-building requires a tremendous amount of effort, expense and resources.
Our second project in Big Bear California will be a new build using as much recycled material as possible. Were currently investigating whether we can use old railroad rails as structural support similar to an i-beam. We’re hoping for a building that will stand out as far as design and uniqueness of the materials used and green factor.
EngelHausen literally means Angels Dwell and was created as a Vacation Home company and Smart Home consultation for property managers.
Cheers!
Dan Engel
Dan@EngelHausen.com
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