ABOUT US

Sustainability

We love to travel. Our great wish is that our children and future generations can travel to explore the world, learn about other cultures and discover the heritage of this beautiful planet. We are curious about others and how they view the world, because it helps us understand each other and that world better. Our philosophy is that the world can be better if we start with ourselves. Every sustainable solution has its impact on the ecological footprint. This is why we are hugely committed to sustainability.

Over the years, the holiday apartments De Drie Koningen have significantly reduced its environmental impact through green initiatives in maintenance, logistics, services and products. Our mission is clear: By reducing waste, saving energy and cutting down on water usage with thoughtful implementations we're moving towards sustainability!

Our green initiatives

Sustainable lightning

Holiday rentals are known to consume a lot of energy, especially on lighting, which can have a significant impact on the environment. However, by switching to an energy-efficient LED lighting system, such as the Philips HUE system, we can play a part in reducing the carbon footprint.

To further enhance their energy-saving efforts, De Drie Koningen has connected their new lighting system to motion sensors which ensures the lights are on and off automatically. This helps to reduce the energy used to lighy empty rooms, which can account for a significant amount of energy consumption in holiday rentals. This not only helps to reduce energy costs for the holiday rentals, but also contributes to a more sustainable environment.

Smart zoning thermostat

One of the key features is the use of automated systems to control energy consumption, such as lightning, heating and cooling. This not only helps to reduce energy costs for the holiday rentals and thus the rental price, but also contributes to a more sustainable environment. In addition to motion sensors, smart thermostats are used to regulate heating.

During the day

These thermostats can be programmed to adjust the temperature in rooms according to occupancy, ensuring that rooms are only heated when they are in use. This is an excellent way to ensure that energy is not wasted, while also providing guests with a comfortable and safe environment during their stay.

What can you do?

To ensure proper temperature control in large rooms, it is necessary to take certain measures. One of the most important things that can be done is to keep doors and windows closed. This helps to prevent the flow of air and maintain a consistent temperature throughout the room. To make this process easier, self-closing hinges have been installed in several locations. These hinges automatically close the door behind you, ensuring that the door is never left open accidentally. By keeping the doors closed with the help of self-closing hinges, you can ensure that your heating and cooling system is working as efficiently as possible.

By implementing these systems, together with the feedback of many guests over the years, energy resources are used efficiently for a comfortable stay.

During the night

A warm room is generally more comfortable and conducive to sleep initiation. Warmer temperatures can help relax your muscles and create a cozy environment, making it easier for you to fall asleep. Since you can always adjust the requested temperature, you can therefore doze off in a warm environment.

The human body’s core temperature naturally decreases as part of the circadian rhythm in the evening, signaling to the body that it’s time to prepare for sleep. A cooler room during the night supports this natural process and may enhance the overall quality of your sleep. It improves the sleep quality by promoting deeper sleep stages. When the room is too warm, it can disrupt the body’s natural temperature regulation and lead to discomfort. After a while, the requested temperature will automatically decrease in the middle of your sleep for that reason, causing the heating to gradually decrease from then on.

However, it’s important to note that individual preferences can vary, and there is no one-size-fits-all-solution. Some people may find they sleep better with slightly warmer or cooler room temperatures. Factors like bedding and clothing play a role in determining the ideal sleep temperature for an individual.

Airconditioning (A/C)

Four apartments (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw, St-Jacob, St-Jan and Carmers) have been equipped with smart air conditioning to provide a better service to our guests.

When indoor temperatures are high during the day, the units keep the rooms cool to ensure the apartment is enjoyable and comfortable. So be sure to keep the windows closed and to close the interior doors for optimal cooling. This way, we ensure that less heat gets in and no energy is lost.

At night and early in the morning, when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature, the windows can temporarily be opened briefly to cool the rooms. Fresh air is at least as nice as using an air conditioner!

Solar panels

Renewable energy is becoming increasingly important as we seek to reduce our reliance on traditional electricity resources. In fact, it is the way to go! By generating our own energy, we can reduce our environmental impact.

At our apartment complex, we are immensely proud of the long-term investments we made in 2022 and 2023 to generate our own energy. Thanks to these investments, we are now able to supply our own electric charging stations, refrigerators, washing machines, lights and more with renewable energy.

This not only helps us to reduce our carbon footprint, but it also ensures that we have a reliable source of energy for years to come. With the rising cost of traditional electricity, investing in renewable energy is a smart long-term strategy.

Electric charging points

Our holiday rentals are proud to offer electric charging points to our guests. We believe that promoting the use of electric vehicles while on holiday is a crucial step towards a more sustainable future. By using electric vehicles, we can significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce our carbon footprint. One of the main advantages of electric vehicles is that they produce zero emissions.

This means that they do not release harmful pollutants into the air, which is particularly important in areas with high levels of air pollution. Electric vehicles are also much quieter than traditional vehicles, which can make a big difference in areas where noise pollution is a concern.

At our holiday rentals, we want to make it as easy as possible for our guests to use electric vehicles. That’s why we offer electric charging points on site. This means that our guests can charge their electric vehicles while they enjoy their holiday, without having to worry about finding a charging station elsewhere.

Reducing waste and recycling

Reducing waste is an important aspect of any sustainability program. By taking small steps to reduce our waste, we can make a big impact on the environment and help to ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come.

By reducing the amount of waste we generate in the first place, we can minimize our impact on the environment. This can be achieved by using less paper, bringing reusable bags when shopping, and purchasing products with minimal packaging. In addition to choosing products with less packaging, we also make an effort to stock more items that come in larger packages. This applies to a variety of products we offer, including coffee beans and Rituals’ replenishable hand soap, shower gel, shampoo, and body lotion.

Recycling is also an important part of waste reduction. We are dedicated to promoting a clean and sustainable environment, and we offer a comprehensive waste management system to help achieve this goal. Our services include providing containers for different types of waste, ensuring that each waste item is disposed of in the proper receptacle:

Paper and cardboard
Residual waste
Plastic waste
Glass
Organic waste

Water-saving shower heads

The use of water-saving shower heads has proven to be an effective way to reduce water consumption. These shower heads are designed to limit the flow of water while still providing a satisfactory shower experience. As a result, less water is wasted during each shower, resulting in significant water savings over time.

But the benefits of water-saving shower heads extend beyond just reducing water usage. One of the key advantages is that they also contribute to energy savings. When less water is consumed, there is less demand for hot water, which means less energy is required to heat it.

Salt electrolysis

Salt electrolysis is a natural and chemical-free method of pool maintenance. By utilizing this process, we can regulate our swimming pool in a way that mimics Mother Nature’s own regulation of the seas. This not only ensures the cleanliness of the pool but also promotes an environmentally friendly and sustainable future. Say goodbye to harmful chemicals and embrace the natural way of maintaining your pool with salt electrolysis.

Ecological and local products

Cleanliness and hygiene are of utmost importance. However, traditional cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that can have negative consequences for the environment. Additionally, these products often contribute to the abundance of plastic waste. In order to address these concerns, we have made the decision to switch to easily biodegradable, non-toxic, and vegan cleaning products.

Our range of cleaning products includes fabric softener, toilet bleach, window cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner, among others. By opting for biodegradable ingredients, we ensure that our products break down naturally without leaving behind harmful residues.

It is important to note that while our cleaning products are eco-friendly, they still deliver exceptional cleaning performance. You can expect the same level of cleanliness and hygiene without compromising on the well-being of our planet.

We are doing our part, won't you too?

Tom Ulens

Managing Director