Renovation & The Environment
Chalet Les Pelerins was bought in very poor condition on 1st August 2007 and a large scale renovation project was started on 2nd August, with the chalet due to open 22nd December 2007 !
Renovation
The design brief for the renovation was to create a relaxing, stylish & comfortable environment whilst giving a flexibility of accommodation for smaller & larger groups. We also had a strong desire to retain as many of the original (1959) features as possible. This all had to be achieved within a financial budget and a very tight timescale.
Major parts of the work were:-
Replace the roof
Insulate walls & roof
Remove & reconstruct internal walls
Replumb
Rewire
Replace all doors
Reglaze all windows
Plaster all walls / ceilings
Paint, paint & paint
The choice of heating & hot water system was key – who likes to stay in a ski chalet where the hot water will only last for 6 showers ! A combination of solar capture system, along with a brand new gas condensing boiler provides 600 litres of stored hot water, with a reheat time of less than 45 mins. The first winter proved that even with 14 people staying we always had plenty of hot water for all, along with a warm & toasty chalet.
A great local team was formed and eventually all the work was completed – in the best of traditions only 12 hrs before the first guests arrived !
The first winter season has proven the design layout & style to be tremendously popular and with the garden landscaping now completed during spring 2008, then Chalet Les Pelerins has never looked better.
Carbon Footprints
We are passionate about the mountains, and all of us who spend time here are concerned about the receding glaciers and reported climate change.
Fundamentally travelling to and living in the mountains is not particularly “green”, but here are some of the things we are doing to try to minimise impact:
1. Solar Panels – we are the first chalet in Chamonix to fit Solar Panels. During the spring, summer & autumn this is providing 90% of our hot water needs. During the winter on a sunny day we can take 40% of our needs from the sun for free.
2. Heating – we have replaced the ageing oil fired boiler with a super modern gas condensing boiler. Combined with the solar panels & insulation this is estimated to save 80% of the carbon emissions.
3. Insulation – we added high tech insulation to the roof – equivalent to 50cms of conventional Rockwool. We insulated the walls with 75mm foam backed plasterboard and double glazed all the existing windows.
4. Rubbish / Waste – during the renovation we made a big effort to sort waste – hardcore is recycled into other building projects, metals are recycled, wood is turned into wood pellets for heating, green waste is composted.
5. Reuse – rather than replace the hardwood windows, we stripped the wood, reglazed with sealed units then varnished them.
6. Travel – we offer the most carbon efficient way to travel to the Alps – the coach. In addition we use the local resort buses and trains whenever possible.
7. Home Grow – we grow our own veggies in the garden – unfortunately not enough to last all winter, but come and stay in the summer & you can help eat the fresh strawberries or pick cherries of the trees.
Many of our guests ask what can they do:
1. Thermostats – how often have you stayed in a ski chalet with radiators on full & windows open ? We have fitted thermostats in every room – simply adjust to a comfortable temperature.
2. Towels – probably at home you don’t use a fresh towel every day. Simply hang them up & reuse.
3. Rubbish – we have simple bins where we can recycle glass, metal, cardboard & plastic – please separate your rubbish accordingly.
IKEA
The house has been sponsored by IKEA, with all the furniture, kitchens, utensils and linen provided by them.