Vunique’s Sustainability Commitment

Here at Vunique Vacations, we are committed to being good neighbors. We show this commitment through our investment in technologies and services that keep our homes maintained, quiet, and unobtrusive to the surrounding community. The same is true in regards to our commitment to the environment, which is why Vunique is working to ensure every one of our homes is Green Certified and built with the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) in mind. The HERS Index is the nationally recognized system for rating a home synergy performance. Your HERS Index score is based on a variety of factors we are getting ready to tell you all about, but in general, if you score 70 or higher, your home is considered 30% more energy efficient than a standard home, and so this is our minimum goal.

Vacation Home Interior

Our sustainability commitment begins at the literal foundation of our homes during the construction process. We know our guests love to take advantage of all of the spaces our homes have to offer, which is why we do our best to avoid any unwanted guests during your visit. Given that our natural Florida climate is categorized as subtropical with wetlands, marshes, and nature preserves surrounding our beautiful barrier islands, we take steps to ensure our guests enjoy a ‘bug-free experience.’ We utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in order to identify the source of any issues directly as opposed to mass spraying potentially harmful chemicals throughout the entire living space.

From our tankless hot water heaters that heat water on demand, instead of storing it in a reservoir, to our roof pitch height, unvented attics, doors/windows, lighting, and appliances Vunique Vacations cuts no corners when it comes to energy efficiency and sustainability in our homes. Our tankless water heaters ensure our luxurious guest experience is never interrupted by the absence of hot water for a shower. Our roof pitch, doors/windows, and unvented attics leave no extra space to heat or cool, ensuring that our Smart Thermostats are operating at peak efficiency, and the reflective properties of our windows and doors avoid absorbing the heat from the Florida sunshine into the home. All of our household appliances are energy efficient meaning that they use, on average 30% less electricity and water to operate successfully. We utilize healthy insulation and Zero VOC paints, stains, and finishes, so not only are our homes expertly temperature controlled, but we also avoid exposing you to harmful chemicals like those found in traditional paints and insulation such as formaldehyde and benzene. Being in this subtropical climate means that humidity is high 8-10 months of the year, leading to the risk of mold and mildew building up. The use of healthy insulation also reduces or eliminates these risks which ensure better air quality within our homes for our guests.

A humid environment, however, does not mean a decreased risk when it comes to fires. We take fire safety and the overall safety of our guests very seriously. Our exterior wall cladding, roof covering/sub-roof, and soffit and vent material are fire resistant, and we provide fire extinguishers on every floor and beside the BBQ grill, which are inspected monthly.

Now that we have taken you through our houses from construction to the finished product with energy-efficient appliances, let’s focus on the outdoor oasis specifically designed at our homes for every guest to enjoy!

Vacation Home Exterior

Adorning the pool and found throughout the property you will notice native plant species. We make a concerted choice against the use of invasive and non-native plants throughout our landscaping for a few different reasons. Invasive plant species can take over your entire area, successfully killing native plants, and increasing soil erosion. Getting rid of these species requires the use of toxic chemicals as well, and we do everything in our power to avoid toxic water runoff. Utilizing only native plants in our landscaping leads to less water usage because they don’t require excess water in Florida’s heat the way non-native plants do. We partner with a locally managed, industry-leading, eco-friendly landscaping fertilization company to ensure we are working with professionals familiar with and specializing in our area’s climate and Florida native plant life. We utilize their slow-release fertilizer, which aims to efficiently release nutrients to cut down on the amount used, holds in moisture to decrease the need for watering and prevents nutrient leaching and runoff into local waterways which can be a component to enhance red tide development. These efforts are especially important to our ecosystem and the wildlife in it that need our support, like the honey bees. Pollinators, insects, and other wildlife are also reliant on the presence of native plants to keep our ecosystem healthy, so we want to give them all the support that we can!

Energy efficiency is still top of mind, even when it comes to our outdoor living spaces. We use an energy and water-efficient irrigation system so that when our plants require hydration they receive it without over-watering! We also opt for Salt Water pools in an effort to cut down on chlorine use. Our variable-speed pool pumps also save energy and money and operate at a reduced noise level, so your conversation volume doesn’t have to compete. We utilize Hayward’s EcoStar variable speed pumps which are known as the most energy-efficient pumps on the market. All of our pools are serviced 2-3 times per week to ensure that all of our equipment is functioning properly, guaranteeing an enjoyable guest experience.

Sustainability is something that Vunique holds as one of its core values as a vacation rental company. We seek to provide our guests with unforgettable experiences, but that doesn’t have to come at a cost to the environment. Through our use of sustainable initiatives throughout our building process we are thrilled to say that our homes satisfy the HERS index and are now in the process of receiving their official Green Home Certification.

Vunique Sustainable Operations

After our homes are constructed, maintaining them sustainably remains top of mind. Our housekeeping team uses eco-friendly cleaning supplies ensuring that toxic chemicals and fumes aren’t present throughout the home. Between each guest, all of the linens in our homes are professionally laundered using commercial OZONE systems that are able to kill 99.9% of bacteria, mold, and pathogens using less water and no harmful chemicals. When our linens become worn and are considered “damaged” by hospitality standards, we donate them to the Animal Rescue Coalition for use by both dogs and cats alike in their no-kill shelters. These linens remain in great condition but show the wear and tear of regular use in the form of small holes or pulls to the fabric, deeming them unsuitable for a guest, but making them perfectly luxurious for the animals to snuggle up on. This initiative helps to eradicate any unnecessary disposal of linens that are no longer suitable to remain in our homes and provides a touch of luxury for those awaiting their forever homes. The appliances found throughout the home are Energy Star certified. Our homes contain on-demand gas water heaters, low-flow shower heads, and sink faucets as well as high-efficiency dual or single-flush toilets. The Appliance Preventative Maintenance Program was implemented to ensure that our Maintenance Team assesses air filter usage and the entire property to ensure everything is functioning properly. Read more about our operational sustainability, here.

Advocacy

Our commitment to sustainability and protecting our environment extends much further than just the building and operation of our homes. As Florida natives, we care deeply about conservation and our water systems. We demonstrate this commitment through our longstanding partnership with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) whose main mission is to educate the public on the conservation of marine resources. Their key initiatives include monitoring water quality, implementing regulations to preserve fish populations during fishing season, and striving to create habitats through the oyster reef and clam restoration projects. Our newest partner, Captains for Clean Water strives to restore the natural flow of excess fresh water from Lake Okeechobee through the Florida Everglades, by removing the dikes, canals, and loch systems that currently redirect this freshwater containing phosphate-laden farm runoff to our saltwater eco-system and Gulf waters, which may fuel algae blooms and other environmental concerns. Redirecting the flow of this water to its natural process should improve the decline in the native wildlife in this area, eliminate the seagrass die-off, reduce algae blooms and fish kills, and restore the drinking water supply for millions of Floridians in this part of the State. If you’re interested in learning more about the impact of Lake Okeechobee discharges, read the most recent blog from Captains for Clean Water.

In a further effort to reduce wastefulness in our community, when our linens become worn and are considered “damaged” by hospitality standards, we donate them to the Animal Rescue Coalition for use by both dogs and cats alike in their no-kill shelters. These linens remain in great condition but show the wear and tear of regular use in the form of small holes or pulls to the fabric, deeming them unsuitable for a guest, but making them perfectly luxurious for the animals to snuggle up on. This initiative helps to eradicate any unnecessary disposal of linens that are no longer suitable to remain in our homes and provides a touch of luxury for those awaiting their forever homes.

We are fortunate and excited to be able to partner with these local organizations that are committed to preserving the natural beauty that surrounds us and providing necessary services to our community. Florida has a unique landscape and ecosystem, and its beaches and waterways are some of the most beautiful in the country and even the world. Whether through the recycling of materials or taking part in on-the-ground efforts, it’s our job to do what we can to preserve them for generations to come!