CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—If you run an inn, or a hotel for that matter, and are considering greening your operations, you may want to chat with Rachael Solem, owner and general manager of the 44-room Irving House in Cambridge, Mass. Since purchasing the large house in 1990, she has taken almost every step imaginable to reduce the property’s environmental impact. She knows what works, what does not work, and she will level with you about it. Take amenity dispensers, for example, which she still uses. “I have not found a dispenser that is attractive, easy for the guests to use, and easy to maintain,” she says. “They get gummed up and are not easy to fill.” When asked if going green has brought her new business, she adds, “I can’t say that I have been able to measure new business coming from it.” Perhaps not your typical replies from a green innkeeper.
What keeps Solem moving forward with her property’s green initiatives, however, is a real passion for reducing waste, and minimizing water and energy consumption. For example, Irving House has an aggressive recycling program. A food waste composting program is also in place and has been well received by guests. A company called Save That Stuff picks up the compostable items. When possible, items are purchased in bulk. Partially used bar soap (some guests still ask for bar soap) is donated to Clean the World, which sanitizes the soap and ships it to those in need around the world. Packaging is reused whenever possible, and many items throughout the property are made from recycled materials.
Up on the roof of Irving House is a solar thermal hot water heating system. The $38,000 system features 300 evacuated tubes and was installed in 2009. The installation covers 624 square feet. Water heated by the system is stored in a 600-gallon tank in the basement. Irving House was the first lodging establishment in Cambridge to make use of solar energy. The solar installation is helping the property to reduce the amount of dollars spent on heating hot water by about 30 percent. A boiler is still used to supplement the solar system.
Energy Star Participant
Low-e thermopane windows, and insulation in the walls and roof area contribute to energy efficiency. Compact fluorescents and occupancy sensors in back-of-house areas minimize lighting-related energy costs. Guests are given the option of reusing their towels and sheets. Solem says her staff encourages guests to take advantage of readily available public transportation. To ensure that employees are constantly up to speed on the property’s green initiatives, an operations guide is currently being created. In 2006, Irving House earned the Energy Star from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Inspired by the Ark-like scale of the building, Irving House is decorated with a series of works from a number of independent artists—mostly local—celebrating animals of the water, earth, sky and heavens.
While Solem has not been able to measure the new business that has been generated by her team’s green approach, she is confident that her repeat guests appreciate it.
“I get notes about it all of the time,” she says.
Go to Irving House.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
