BelleHavens Launches GreenHome Initiative; Demonstrating That Luxury Travel and Energy Conservation Are Not Mutually Exclusive

Date: March 29, 2007

BelleHavens announces the launch of GreenHome, a specific energy conservation program for its portfolio of private homes, making it the first destination club to undertake such an initiative. The program benefits will be triple fold. It will save energy, help the environment and, in the process, will ultimately save the members money. All of this without compromising the luxury service and amenities for which BelleHavens is known.

The first step BelleHavens took toward this greening initiative was to identify controllable waste areas and institute measures for reducing energy consumption in the Club homes, as well as in the Club’s own corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In addition to its now standardized energy-saving measures, BelleHavens has partnered with Carbonfund.org, a nonprofit organization that helps companies reduce their carbon footprint and support climate-friendly projects. The decision to support Carbonfund.org was based on their policy of directing an impressive 93% of their proceeds to offset emission reduction projects and environmental outreach, with only 7% earmarked for administrative purposes. With the assistance of Carbonfund.org, BelleHavens has been able to determine the emission tonnage for energy use at the homes, as well as the corporate office and executive business travel.

The primary objective of BelleHavens GreenHome initiative is to consume less energy wherever possible and to help offset areas that cannot be reduced. The new program consists of a number of tactics that as a whole will make a large difference through reducing waste and using less energy and fossil fuel. The stated goals are to:

  • Take a leadership role in the luxury destination club sector by ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations of travelers.
  • Demonstrate that luxury travel and energy conservation are not mutually exclusive.
  • Leave a positive imprint on climate change, through carbon offsets and other energy-saving initiatives.
  • Formalize a relationship with the Carbonfund.org, an exemplary non-profit organization based in Silver Spring, MD.

Since its inception in 2004, BelleHavens has distinguished itself as the most pragmatic club in the sector. Member interests and protections have always been the genesis of policy shaping moves. For example, BelleHavens has evolved at a strategically conservative pace, while remaining fiscally sound and establishing solid policies and procedures for the strict guardianship of member deposits. BelleHavens member deposits are backed by equity in a club of that owns a diversified and debt-free portfolio of real estate. This differs from most other clubs, which offer non-equity memberships and use significant debt and leases to acquire their properties. This strategy, now coupled with the GreenHome initiative, positions BelleHavens as truly the most sustainable club in the destination club space.

“We launched the GreenHome initiative to ensure that as a luxury product we were doing our share to make a difference protecting the environment, as well as the interests of our members,” said Darin Gilson, BelleHavens Founder and CEO. “In fact, the initial idea came from a BelleHavens member. It then became clear that most of our members and staff share the same thinking and wanted to incorporate more social responsibility into our product.”

“Carbonfund.org applauds BelleHavens for their leadership on climate change,” said Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric Carlson. “Climate change affects all of us, we are all responsible for it and we all must be part of the solution. BelleHavens carbon offset program signifies a new direction for the luxury travel industry that we hope will be emulated by many others.”

From BelleHavens’ perspective, the shared home concept, even at the luxury, multi-million dollar level, is more environmentally sensitive than other second (or third) home alternatives because fewer homes will need to be constructed, saving more open space and using less utilities and materials.

Each of the following components of the GreenHome Initiative will be incorporated into the current homes through upgrades, additions and retrofitting, and will serve as the standard for all new properties that come into the portfolio from here forward:

  • Compact florescent bulbs – Initially more expensive to install, they ultimately save between 50-75% in annual lighting costs versus incandescent bulbs. Additionally, they give off less heat and last up to ten times longer.
  • Solar heating for swimming pools.
  • Xeriscaping – an innovative landscaping approach using native and drought-resistant plants, resulting in 50% less water usage and erosion prevention.
  • Upgrading from individual soap packaging to new waste-saving liquid soap dispensers for bathroom vanities, kitchens and laundry rooms.
  • Upgrading from electrical wall outlets to electrical strips. Even when turned off, appliances and electronics plugged directly into wall outlets leak five times more wattage than those used in strips.
  • LCD televisions and computer monitors. LCD screens use up to 75% less energy than a CRT monitor.
  • Recycling paper, plastic and aluminum. Where service is available, each home will be outfitted with a recycling receptacle for sorting and disposing of trash.
  • Front Load washers and dryers. Cut water and energy use by 50% versus that of top-loading models.
  • Tankless water heaters. Energy savings of 10 - 30% versus storage-type tanks that must keep a reserve water warm regardless of use and which constantly have to keep water warm. Tankless models heat water on an as-needed basis.
  • Buy Local Program. Each BelleHavens home will be equipped with information on local markets, purveyors and specialty products for use in the professional-grade kitchens.
  • A new BelleHavens website that will facilitate more electronic communications with current and potential members, reducing paper and energy used in producing and delivering hard copy materials.
  • An outreach program to educate our members on ways they can reduce emissions in their primary residences.
  • A donation to the non-profit organization Carbonfund.org, to offset carbon emissions that can not be reduced.


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    BelleHavens was launched in late 2004 and is the leading equity destination club and the only member-owned club in the industry. The club offers members superior asset protection and the opportunity for customized luxury travel experiences. For more information visit www.bellehavens.com.

    Carbonfund.org is the country’s leading carbon reduction and offset organization with offices in the Washington DC area and San Francisco. Carbonfund.org educates the public about the dangers of climate change and makes it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbonfund.org is reducing the threat of climate change by promoting cost-effective carbon reductions and supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce and offset carbon dioxide emissions. Carbonfund.org works with over 150 corporate and non-profit partners including the Earth Day Network, National Wildlife Federation, Dell Computers, Lancôme Cosmetics, and Working Assets. Learn more at http://www.carbonfund.org/site/