Green Certification for SeaCat’s Rest Oceanside Suite

Affordableacadia’s oceanside suite, SeaCat’s Rest is now officially compliant with the State of Maine’s Environmental Leader in Hospitality program with a score of 172. One hundred points were required for approval, so we’ve managed to exceed this requirement by a wide margin. We can now proudly display the logo:

The truth is, I didn’t know this program existed otherwise I would have applied long ago. The qualification process was straightforward if somewhat comical in that so many areas clearly didn’t apply–like whether my “exit” signs were lit with LEDs. I have no exit signs, swimming pools, employee uniforms, or employees for that matter; drycleaning facility or insecticide application program. I would have gotten extra points if my pool were heated by solar energy or if my employee’s uniforms were cleaned with biodegradable detergent. Instead I had to make due with the 5 points I got for having no pool, rather than the 38 points I would have gotten for having a “green” pool. (Also no credit for the ocean or the swimming pond up the road).  I scored big on my solar water heating system, and if this green certification can result in an extra booking or two then it will be more than worth it.

I wrote an extra bit at the end in the “extra credit” section since when I built the house I had radical attitudes about building green. The exterior walls are doubled, the insulation was state of the art and the window placement and southern orientation are optimized.

The process was worthwhile because it shined a light on what I can do next to earn extra points and be even greener. Part of that involves my guests, you will now be invited to come up with ideas about how we can save that extra kilowatt. It’s not about doing without, it’s about being smart about how we use energy. It’s about Maine: The way life should be!

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