We are approaching self-sufficiency with regards to energy and water. 

If you'd like to know more about our rain harvesting system, we have dedicated several YouTube episodes to how we are collecting, filtering and storing rainwater for domestic use and irrigation. As at 2025, we collect our drinking water from the pump in San Michele Salentino still, but would like to have our rain-harvested water tested for drinking quality in 2026.

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In September 2024, we finished installing our solar energy and battery system which enables us to minimise grid electricity. Since then, we have upgraded our Victron battery inverter and are considering cutting ourselves off from electricity supply in 2026 - this is possible if we invest in a generator to help us through the less sunny winter months. We have produced several YouTube episodes on the planning and installation of our solar system.

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We also want to minimise burning, which goes on a lot in this part of Italy. During the winter, the air in the towns is thick with smoke! La Bolla is probably one of the few country houses which doesn't have a woodburner, pellet burner or open fire - instead we have installed underfloor heating and air source heat pumps which are all solar-powered. Tree cuttings and branches are shredded or stacked in piles around the land for nature instead of burned, so that we can mulch and provide some much needed bulk and nutrition to the soil. We do keep some wood to use in the pizza oven occasionally, though!