Going Green

Having been an organic gardener and allotment holder since the 70’s I was determined to apply Green Principles to my new business when I took over Henry House in 1997.

We also like to highlight conservation issues though events and art exhibitions using recycled materials - we are currently exhibiting The Giant Tortoise sculpture made from a washing machine drum and melted CDs by artist Tone Holmen .Her work is themed around the effects of global-warming.One of a number of such works in our organic sculpture garden

Here are some of the things we do to reduce our CARBON FOOTPRINTand OZONE DEPLETION,INCREASE ENERGY EFFICIENCY,RECYCLE and promote SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT and reduce fuel and water bills to keep costs down .
The core of the business is the hot (95f 35C) swimming pool which means we are potentially high users of water and fuel.
We think we are leaders in this field and that our efforts educate and inspire customers and other businesses

SOLAR ENERGY IN SUNNY WORTHING
Living in the sunniest part of the UK we are ideally placed to use solar energy.
In January 2011 Suntrader Solar installed PHOTO-VOLTAIC PANELS on the flat roof over the pool,connected them to the grid and we signed up to the governments FIT (feed in tariff) scheme. We now GENERATE our own ELECTRICITY  which has drastically reduced bills plus we get paid for doing so!
In July 2003 James Simporis, of Palmoris Ltd , completed a Solar energy construction and installation course with LILI the Low Impact Living Initiative www.lowimpact.org
In September 2003 SOLAR PANELS and cylinder were installed at Henry House to heat water (with gas back-up when necessary )for showers ,sinks ,washing etc. From May to September gas is now rarely needed but with the shorter days some is required.Even in the winter the solar panels pre-heat the water and gas then bumps it up to the right temperature
This project paid for itself in 18 months

WATER CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
In 2004 Palmoris Ltd installed a RAINWATER COLLECTION and GREY WATER RECYCLING system.
Rainwater is collected as run off from our extensive roof area. It is filtered and treated and then used to refill the pool each week as part of the pool maintenance programme.
The water taken out of the pool each week (grey water) is stored and used to FLUSH THE 5 TOILETS in the building. We estimate that toilets are flushed 200times + per day using up to 400 gallons 1600 litres a day. We never need to use mains water for this now.
“ We have managed to drastically reduce our water consumption with this project. As water charges continue to rise this will help us hold prices down. We’re hoping for rain!!” KS
2007 water bill was ¼ of 2006 due to higher rainfall.

Ecosanitiser
At the start of 2012 we replaced our old water treatment system with an Ecosanitiser and the results have been outstanding.
Click here to read more

SOLAR POWER SHOWER
The electric shower poolside was replaced with a thermostatically controlled , tamper proof unit (according to NHS guidelines) using the solar heated water and mains pressure only.
“We are very impressed with the new system and have already recouped the capital outlay through reduced gas & electric bills.”KS

BIKE FOR BANANAS - SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
In August 2009 Bike racks were installed conveniently next to the entrance.For the first 2 weeks of the September term we gave all customers young and old who biked to Henry House a free FAIR TRADE BANANA.We hope that this will encourage our customers to LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME while they take more exercise and eat healthily.This should also free up parking for our disabled clients. We repeated this every year.

At Henry House we are committed to reducing the consumption of FOSSIL FUELS and WATER in an effort to keep costs as low as possible (particularly as we provide a valuable service to the elderly and disabled) and to protect the environment.
With this in mind we carry out an energy audit every September and switch to the cheapest gas and electricity providers where possible.
We control use by having adequate DOUBLE GLAZING, HEAT RETENTION COVERS for the pool, pipe and loft INSULATION and the most ENERGY EFFICIENT pumps for the pool.
We use LOW ENERGY bulbs throughout and closely MONITOR the use of light and heat.

In the ORGANIC garden we COLLECT RAINWATER and MULCH heavily so we can minimise the use of mains water.Garden waste is all COMPOSTED or SHREDDED and used to MULCH.
The walled garden is planted with trees and shrubs to reduce OZONE depletion. It buzzes with bees and is home to bats ,birds, squirrels ,frogs and toads.
The large pond supports teeming wildlife (masses of frogspawn in the spring, dragonflies, damsel flies etc)and is refilled with COLLECTED RAINWATER.
We also grow fruit and vegetables and encourage visitors to learn about SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC methods

POWER FLUSHING

In September 2003 Palmoris Power flushed the radiators and boilers-a process which can increase their efficiency by up to 20%

RECYCLING-
In addition to recycling water we recycle all packaging ,paper,cans , bottles and ink cartridges.We are moving towards a PAPERLESS OFFICE and use the internet as much as possible to communicate ,advertise,invoice and pay bills.

WIND POWER

“ I’ve looked at installing a wind powered generator on the flat roof over the pool to run the pool pump but unfortunately there is not sufficient throughput of wind due to the eddying effect of the building behind-maybe in the future as technology advances”

Karen Simporis