Eco-Friendly

Public Devon EV Charging Point at Upcott House

Hi-Tech: WiFi and a 32 amp Commando Charging Point as a public charging point for Electric Vehicle (EV) users. We are one of only two charging stations in the South West (SW) between Exeter, Bristol and Cornwall that offers free charging along the lines of WiFi Fon network. Find us using the following mapping tools: www.zerocarbonworld.org ,  and are part of the EV Network www.ev-network.org.uk

Carbon Footprint Offsetting

We are offsetting our oil bills by utilising the original open fires in the house with solid fuel from our land. We grow as many of our own fruit and vegetables as possible. We keep chickens for our own eggs. We shop locally to reduce food miles and support our local business community.

We monitor electricity use via several kw meters around the house and hope to have software installed shortly that facilitates monitoring each circuit online . We have light switches that are timed. We ensure best use of the electricity cooker by maximising its capacity when cooking and keep lids on to maintain pressure for quicker cooking. We have power down devices to ensure that gadgets are not kept on stand by. All new gas or electric appliances are A rated.

Our Carwings software links to our Nissan Leaf and allows us to monitor KW use of the car and how ECO efficiently we drive it (or not!!)

Electricity Generation

We will have a ground mounted 10 KW Solar PV array installed in our paddock on 17′th October 2011. Installation of solar PV offers a good investment and ensures that our energy supply is from renewable sources. Planning departments have been difficult to deal with on renewable energy applications but are getting much more efficient. We are trying to play our part by creating a public debate on these issues locally and take a lead as an Eco Friendly business. There has been ‘range anxiety’ in the South West regarding EVs because we are not part of the government’s charging infrastructure. Government have drawn back from financially supporting a public infrastructure leaving the SW stranded and business and the community to develop it further. We like a challenge!

Green Tourism in Devon and the South West

We are involved with two major Green Tourism Projects locally. One is to encourage the use of EVs for longer journeys and holidays in the South West. We are working with interested tourism businesses and the Dartmoor National Park, West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Transport and Sustainability Officers to encourage the installation of EV charging points and linked micro-generation projects in and around Okehampton, Dartmoor and Devon. Our MP Mel Stride recently attended a Chamber of Trade Hog Roast at Upcott House B&B to show his support for our Eco-Friendly developments.