There are many practical measures you can take to improve energy efficiency in your business. These range from replacing your light bulbs with energy efficient alternatives to making large-scale changes to your processes. There are several organisations that can advise and help you.
You can use Business Link’s grants and support directory to find business support schemes on a range of issues including energy efficiency.
Business Link: Grants and support directory
Free energy efficiency guidance and consultation
The Carbon Trust is the main provider of energy efficiency help for businesses. They produce free publications, including:
- guidance on getting started
- self-assessment guides to examine your organisation’s progress in energy management
- energy consumption guides, providing benchmarks and comparisons to other businesses
- sector-specific fact sheets
- good practice and case studies
- videos, posters and leaflets to help you ‘spread the word’ and train your staff.
They also operate a helpline on 0800 085 2005.
If your business spends more than £50,000 per year on energy, you can apply for a free site energy survey to identify potential energy saving measures.
In Northern Ireland, The Carbon Trust's services are funded by Invest Northern Ireland.
The Energy Saving Trust provides advice and information, as well as grants to encourage energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles.
In Scotland, you can get support from the Energy Saving Trust’s business advisers.
Financial help for improving energy efficiency
The Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme enables your business to claim 100% first year capital allowance on investments in energy saving technologies and products. To qualify, you must choose from a list (the Energy Technology List) of products and technologies that are recognised by the scheme as being very energy efficient.
Interest free loans for energy saving investments
If your business has been trading for at least 12 months you may be able to apply to The Carbon Trust for an interest free loan. In Northern Ireland and Wales all businesses can apply. In England and Scotland you must be a small or medium sized business to apply. The loans are available for energy saving projects, such as installing energy efficient lighting and insulation, or installing small combined heat and power plants.
In Scotland you can apply to Energy Saving Scotland for loans for energy saving measures.
Emissions Trading Schemes
If you significantly reduce your emissions of carbon dioxide, you could make money if you join the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
