Lower energy consumption Lower carbon emissions Lower ... · applications will save money, the...

Practical energy efficiency advice for businesses

Helping you to:• Use less energy• Spend less on bills• Improve environmental credentials

Lower energy consumptionLower carbon emissionsLower energy bills

Energy Saving Know:How

Saving energy delivers real benefits 3

How to get the most out of this guide 3

Office equipment 4

Space and water heating 5

Buildings 6

Air conditioning 7

Lighting 8

Electric motors 10

Compressed air 11

Commercial boilers 12

Refrigeration 13

Process plant 14

Microgeneration – could you make your own energy? 15

Putting ideas into action 16

Extra help from npower Know:How 16

Funding for energy efficiency measures 17

Further help with energy efficiency 17

Sample Action Plan and Energy Policy 18

Need more help or advice?Visit our website at npower.com/business/save-energy where you’ll find lots more useful information and advice.

All saving figures quoted in this guide are taken from The Carbon Trust 2008-2012 www.carbontrust.co.uk

The road to greater energy efficiency starts here

There’s a simple business case for being more energy efficient – it could have a direct impact on your bottom line. In short, reducing energy waste could reduce your energy spend and alongside saving money you could also reduce the level of carbon emissions your business is responsible for. As carbon emissions are linked to climate change there’s also a strong environmental case for using less energy.

The Carbon Trust estimates that most businesses could cut energy costs by at least 10% by taking some simple efficiency measures and produce quick wins. A 20% cut in energy costs represents the same bottom line benefit as a 5% increase in sales in many businesses.

Whatever business you’re in – and whether you’re a small company or a larger organisation – this guide details a number of actions you can take to become more energy efficient. It’s designed to help you make the most of your power, giving you energy-saving ‘Know:How’ that you can apply to all aspects of your company’s power usage.

Clearly, not all the actions will apply to you. But have a read through and perhaps mark all those that do. On page 16, you can discover the range of Know:How products and services we’ve developed to support our business customers in their energy-

saving journey. At the back of this guide, you’ll find a template for an action plan where you can list ten key priority measures with a timescale to implement. Most efficiency measures can be delivered quickly and simply, but others may require some planning or investment.

You’ll also find some useful contacts for further help and support, including details of organisations that can provide funding and loans for energy efficiency measures that require some capital outlay.

Saving energy delivers real benefits / How to get the most out of this guide /

Saving energy delivers real benefits

How to get the most out of this guide

Office equipment

Whatever your business, the chances are you need some office equipment to operate, whether it be computers, photocopiers, printers, fax machines etc. Office equipment is the fastest growing energy user in the business world; the electricity it consumes represents 15% of total energy consumption in offices. Using equipment more efficiently could therefore make a significant difference to energy spend.

Easy ways to save on office energy expenditureOnly switch on what you needConsider installing plug-in 7-day timers to automatically switch off photocopiers out of office hours and reduce costs.

Consider whole life cost approach when you buy equipmentAn energy star compliant printer uses at least 60% less electricity and most automatically enter a lower power setting after a period of inactivity.

Turn off computer and monitors when you leaveA single computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day could cost around £45 a year.

Save up photocopying until you have a batchThe office photocopier is likely to be the highest single energy using piece of equipment. Maximise standby savings; try to encourage staff to copy in batches where possible, to allow the machine to spend more time in standby than idling.

What’s cheaper: kettle or vending machine?If left on continuously, a typical vending machine can cost around £120 per year in energy costs.

Enable energy saving features on all equipmentEnergy labelled computers use 70% less electricity than computers without enabled power management.

Keep photocopiers in naturally ventilated areasPlace heat emitting equipment in a separate area with good air flow. This helps minimise air conditioning costs and excessive noise.

Avoid printing emailsYou can save paper, toner/ink and energy by not printing emails and documents that aren’t necessary.

Office equipment /

Find out more ways of saving energy with office equipmentcontact the Carbon Trust at www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energy or call 0800 085 2005

Space and water heating

Space and water heating /

Heating your business premises and ensuring adequate hot water can use up a lot of energy. For maximum efficiency, aim to match your space and water heating to the occupancy of the building and regulate it to maintain the desired temperature.

Top tips to reduce heat wasteEnsure thermostats are set to the desired temperature for heat and hot water For every 1˚C of extra heat, your heating bill increases by around 8%. For warehouses, 16˚C is usually an acceptable temperature, and 20˚C for offices. Hot water should be above 60°C to avoid legionella contamination.

Reset timers after clock change from BST to GMT If the heating is on at the wrong times, you could be paying for an extra hour of heat made up from portable heaters.

Ensure radiators are unobstructed This will increase circulation of heat. Radiators, fans and ducts should be clear of furniture and other obstructions. Keep fans and ducts clean and replace any filters at manufacturers’ recommended intervals.

Fit insulation material Boilers and hot water tanks should be insulated to prevent heat escaping. Payback can usually be expected within a few months of installation.

Fit thermostatic radiator valves If your radiators are on full without any form of regulation, you could be overheating a room and increasing your heating bill.

Maintain boilers and pipework Have boilers serviced regularly by a reputable firm. Gas fired boilers should be serviced once a year; oil boilers twice a year. A regular serviced boiler could save as much as 10% on annual heating costs.

Consider boiler replacement In the long term, if a boiler is more than 15 years old, or if it is showing signs of inefficient operation, it may need replacing. Capacity / size requirements, boiler compatibility and financial and environmental impact must all be considered in the process.

Ensure adequate insulation on all hot water pipes Insulate all hot water pipes, flanges and valves to prevent heat loss and cut down on your hot water bills.

Want to know more about space and water heating?The following organisations can help with queries about space heating and hot water and the various methods of control:

• The Carbon Trust www.thecarbontrust.co.uk Tel 0800 085 2005

• Health & Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk Tel 0300 003 1747 (For technical advice or interpretation of guidance)

• The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association www.hvca.org.uk Tel 020 7313 4900 (provides information on local contractors)

• The Combustion Engineering Association www.cea.org.uk Tel 029 2040 0670

Buildings

Buildings /

Effective insulation and draught proofing is essential to reduce heat loss from buildings – as well as limiting any noise and airborne pollution. Most buildings have scope for improvement.

Good insulation is best fitted during the construction or refurbishment of a building when it is more cost effective and less disruptive. However, there are still changes that you can make to existing buildings at any time.

It is estimated that around 10-15% of total energy costs is wasted by heat losses through the building fabric, but significant savings are achievable through the implementation of some simple energy efficiency measures.

Good housekeeping for more energy efficient buildings

Reduce draughts Openable windows in generally good condition can be draught-stripped to reduce heat loss.

Do the 1 pence coin test - If a 1 pence coin can slide between a window and its frame, draught-proofing will be cost effective and improve comfort.

Keep doors closed between heated and unheated areas All external doors should be kept closed when heating or cooling systems are in operation.

Consider fitting automatic closers to external doors and to internal doors that separate areas with different heating or cooling requirements. This is a relatively inexpensive measure which can often be carried out by on-site maintenance staff.

Add a lobby to cut down on heat loss Installing a draught lobby at frequently used entrances can reduce heating costs and draughts. Where possible, the two sets of doors should have automatic control.

Vehicular access doors Doors that provide access for vehicles are usually little more than large openings in the walls of a building. This can result in large volumes of moving air within the building, leading to very high heat losses and uncomfortable working conditions. Heat losses can be reduced through use of a vehicle entrance lobby, PVC/ plastic strip curtains or high speed motorised doors with automatic opening and shutting controls.

Insulate cavity walls and roof spaces Prices will vary depending on circumstances but your investment could typically be recouped within five years.

Don’t heat unoccupied rooms Check to make sure that radiators or heaters are turned off in rooms that aren’t used.

Want to know more about buildings?For help with queries about buildings and the various methods of control, contact:


Air conditioning

Air Conditioning /

Air conditioning can use a huge amount of energy. In fact, air conditioning can increase a building’s energy consumption and associated carbon emissions by up to 100%.

Even though air conditioning can use lots of energy, lots of organisations choose to use it - not least because of the extra heat generated by increasing use of IT equipment.

Luckily, there are some simple, low-cost ways to save energy and make your air conditioning system more efficient.

Train staff on how to operate air conditioning units and heating controls Staff should receive guidance on recommended operating temperatures and how to set heating or cooling units correctly. Louvres (movable slats to guide the cool or heated air) are a feature on most air conditioning units and staff should be able to operate these to maintain a comfortable temperature. Display instructions on individual units and ensure that remote controls have accessible and obvious storage spaces.

Temperature control Make sure your air conditioning doesn’t operate below 24°C.

Also, make sure that you don’t have the heating and cooling systems competing with each other - it’s a waste of money. The best way to do this is to keep a temperature gap (known as a ‘deadband’) between your heating and air conditioning control temperatures.

Variable speed drives Don’t produce more cooling than you need - this wastes money and energy. Variable speed drives can vary the output of your air conditioning system to meet your needs throughout the day. This will help you save money on energy costs.

Free cooling coils Free cooling coils use the outside air as a source of cooling for air conditioning systems (when it’s cool enough). This saves money because you won’t need to use as much energy to produce cooling for the air conditioning system.

With the UK’s temperate climate, free cooling coils can produce big savings.

Want to know more about air conditioning?The following organisations can help with queries about air conditioning and the various methods of control:


• The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association www.hvca.org.uk Tel 020 7313 4900 (also provides information on local contractors)

Lighting

Lighting /

Every business needs lighting in one form or another; it uses a significant amount of energy, simply so that people can see to do their jobs properly. Retail outlets also rely on display lighting so that their goods are correctly lit to make them visible and appealing.

While natural lighting is often preferable, it’s not always available or practical. Many businesses also have changing needs throughout their work hours. So artificial lighting is a necessity.

Up to 40% of a building’s electricity use is accounted for by lighting. The key to being more energy efficient with lighting is having a system that produces the maximum amount of light for the input power and is flexible and responsive to changing circumstances. The control system is therefore crucial.

Simple steps to reduce lighting bills

Turn off fluorescent lights when not needed Fluorescent tubes use only a few seconds worth of power in start up. Therefore, it is always better to switch them off when leaving a room.

Are lamps, fittings and rooflights clean? Dirty shades and rooflights greatly reduce lighting levels.

Rewire lighting controls for small groups of lights, or even individual lights The more control you can have over the light you use, the less likely you are to waste energy. So consider fitting dimmer switches, automatic presence or sunlight detector sensors.

Label light switches Only turning on lights that are needed will save money – a lot of energy is wasted when unnecessary lights are left on out of hours.

Fit daylight and/or occupancy sensors to lights By dimming or switching off lighting where there is nobody in a room, occupancy sensors can reduce electricity use by 30%

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs Installing new high frequency fluorescent lighting eliminates flicker and hum, extends lamp life and can often reduce consumption by around 25%.

Savings in practice: Slimline fluorescent tubes (26mm diameter) use 10% less electricity and are cheaper to buy than the older 38mm tubes.

Use task lighting rather than light the whole area Task lighting is a good way to minimise the amount of electric light being used, by lighting just the working area to a higher level and providing background lighting at a lower level for the rest of the space. The use of task lighting can also reduce glare on computer screens making it more comfortable for employees.

Replace standard light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent bulbs They have a longer life, lower maintenance costs and use up to 75% less energy.

Consider turning off external lighting Exterior lighting should be limited to the hours of darkness. It may not be necessary to have lights on continuously throughout the night. Consider fitting lighting controls to limit hours of use.

It is possible to cut lighting costs by up to 30% by implementing energy saving measures. Lighting a typical office overnight wastes enough energy to heat water for 100 cups of tea.

Lighting

Lighting /

Want to know more about lighting?The following organisations can all help with queries about internal and external lighting and the various methods of control:


• The Lighting Industry Association www.thelia.org.uk London office: Tel 0207 793 3020

Electric motors

Electric motors /

Running motors and drives uses almost two thirds of the electricity consumed by UK industry. In fact the cost of running a motor for a year can be ten times what it cost to buy in the first place. The efficiency of your motor operation is therefore of critical importance to the lowering of your carbon footprint and reduction of your energy bills. Start with the following recommendations when reviewing motors and drives in your organisation:

Select higher efficiency motors Specifying higher efficiency motors for new and replacement applications will save money, the small additional price premium usually paying for itself in less than two years. For higher duty motors, look out for best in class efficiency motors (at least IE3).

Install variable speed drives If the load being driven by your motor has a varying demand then a variable speed drive could save energy. A small speed reduction can lead to substantial reductions in energy use. The most common applications are to control flow rates in fan or pump systems, as an alternative to using dampers or valves.

Switch off Because motors are hidden within machinery, they’re often forgotten, and left running when they’re not in use. Save energy by identifying and turning off motors that are left running whilst doing no productive work. This could occur during breaks, between batches or job changes, or out of normal working / production hours.

Implement automatic switch off controls or manual switch off procedures Consider time switches, interlocks, sensors, and intelligent controls to implement automatic Stop - Start control.

Monitor output ‘You can’t control what you can’t measure’ is true of most things in business. Measuring a motor’s output, and monitoring trends, will help you identify areas where you could save energy. Where output changes unexpectedly, investigation may identify simple maintenance issues or a potentially serious problem.

Check that motors are the correct size Motors are often larger than they need to be. Compare the details on the motor rating plate with the actual rating required by the equipment that the motor is driving. In many cases, motors are oversized by 20% or more. For example, an application might require a motor rated at only 7.5kW, but has been supplied with a motor that is 11kW. Consider replacing oversized motors with smaller, higher efficiency motors where possible. If the motor is very lightly loaded (<40%) and cannot be changed, it may be possible to run the motor continually in a different connection mode (called star or delta mode), that could result in energy savings of between 5 and 10%.

Have a motor management policy Having a structured approach to repair and maintenance can save energy and reduce down-time caused by motor failure. Include in your policy:

• a plan for repairing failed motors, which compares long-term repair vs. replacement costs

• a plan for replacement with new and more efficient motors• a schedule and procedure for motor maintenance

Want to know more about motors? Then contact:• The Carbon Trust

www.thecarbontrust.co.uk Tel 0800 085 2005

Compressed air

Compressed air /

Of the total energy supplied to a compressor, as little as 8-10 per cent may be converted into useful energy that can do work at the point of use. Minimising waste is vital, as the right approach can save over 30% of the energy used. We recommend the following carbon saving compressed air measures:

1. Reduce the pressure Compressed air is often generated at the compressor’s maximum pressure (often 7 bar, 100 psi). Reducing pressure by 10% can lead to 5% savings in energy. Make small, incremental reductions, checking that operations are not affected.

2. Test for and fix leaks Even a tiny leak (just 3mm) could cost you more than £700 a year in wasted energy, so carry out a ‘no-load’ test to check for leaks. We explain how in this short video:

If you do have leaks, locate them by listening for them out of hours. Or hire ultrasonic leak detection equipment. Ultrasonic equipment (shown in the video) is the most convenient way of checking for leaks, but may require specialist operation.

3. Check that compressed air is really required Compressed air is expensive to run, and yet cheaper options exist for certain jobs. Educate your staff not to allow compressed air to vent to atmosphere (e.g. cleaning benches). If possible, don’t use it for drying or ventilation. A usage policy that suggests safe and easy alternatives to compressed air (as well as detailing acceptable uses for it) will help your staff save energy and reduce carbon.

Unless there is a specific requirement (e.g. an explosion risk) do not use air driven motors for providing motion. Where possible use an electrically powered motor instead.

4. See if compressed air could be delivered more efficiently If compressed air is appropriate for the job, could it be delivered more efficiently? For example, many blow guns are simply open-ended pipes: fitting a venturi-type nozzle can use 30% less compressed air, and, by making the operation much quieter, improve the working environment.

5. Switch off compressors when not in use An idling compressor uses around 40% of its full load. Where appropriate, turn compressors off when they’re not being used (for example during tea breaks, and certainly overnight), to save energy.

6. Don’t over-treat air Treating air to remove dirt, water and oil is necessary but uses lots of energy. Treat the application rather than the whole system.

Want to know more about compressed air?The following organisations can help with queries about compressed air and the various methods of control:


• British Compressed Air Society Ltd www.bcas.org.uk Tel 020 7935 2464

Commercial boilers

Commercial boilers /

UK organisations could save over £400m a year by taking simple, low-cost actions to improve the efficiency of their hot water boilers, according to new guidance published today by the Carbon Trust.

New analysis by the Carbon Trust reveals that heating and hot water accounts for over one third of UK organisations’ energy consumption and up to 60% of the carbon emissions from some UK industrial processes, such as food production and laundering, where demand for steam or hot water is high. However, it’s possible to cut heating costs by up to 30% by implementing some simple boiler-related energy saving measures.

All modern boilers are capable of achieving an efficiency of at least 80% by taking simple actions to impact their performance.

Carry out boiler maintenance Over time mechanical components can become worn which can affect combustion efficiency. Therefore burners and their controls need to be checked at regular intervals and adjusted as necessary.

Minimize heat losses Keep boiler insulation in good condition. All pipework, valves, flanges and fittings in the boilerhouse should be adequately insulated and valve mats/covers should be replaced after maintenance work.

Implement effective water treatment The presence of impurities and contaminants in water make treatment and conditioning regimes essential to provide water of a suitable quality for the effective operation of steam boiler plant and systems.

Produce a maintenance manual Detail records of work done, the person responsible, and when they were completed. The formalisation of maintenance in this manner should help ensure that tasks are carried out at the correct frequency and will highlight ongoing problems.

Consult your boiler manufacturer Find out what the recommended TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level is and compare this with your current operating regime.

Consider boiler replacement In the longer term, if a boiler is more than 15 years old, or if it is showing signs of inefficient operation, it may need replacing. Capacity/size requirements, boiler compatibility and financial and environmental impact must all be considered in the process.

Want to know more about boilers?The following organisations can help with more information and advice about boilers:


• The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association www.hvca.org.uk Tel 020 7313 4900 (provides information on local contractors)

• The Combustion Engineering Association www.cea.org.uk Tel 01740 625538

Refrigeration

Refrigeration /

For some organisations refrigeration costs can represent over 50 per cent of their energy bill. A modern and energy-efficient refrigeration system will help save you money. But you don’t need to buy any new equipment - just following some simple advice can deliver big energy savings. We recommend the following carbon and cost saving refrigeration measures:

1. Reduce wastage Minimise the money you need to spend on refrigeration by reducing the heat loads on your systems. You can do this by reducing air infiltration e.g. by improving door management, using night blinds or strip curtains, and switching off lights in the cooled space. In larger systems, you can reduce heat loads by using free cooling, raising process temperatures and improving control of auxiliary equipment such as pumps and fans.

2. Temperature control Don’t overdo the refrigeration. You can save money by only cooling a unit down to the temperature you need. Every 1°C saved could reduce your energy consumption by two per cent.

3. Maintenance Well-maintained refrigeration systems almost always use significantly less energy. Make sure you regularly service your units, as well as checking that condensers and evaporators are kept clean and fans and defrost systems are working correctly. For example, poor maintenance can increase condensing temperature or reduce evaporating temperature by several degrees, resulting in an increase in energy use of up to 10%.

4. Keep doors closed Make sure doors aren’t left open for longer than absolutely necessary. This sounds simple, but means that loading and unloading tasks have to be carefully organised.

Also, make sure all the doors on a unit have well-fitting seals that are fully intact.

5. Don’t overfill A unit will be most efficient if it is not overfilled (there has to be room for the cool air to circulate). Product should not block the grilles at the front of a retail display cabinet or obstruct the airflow to and from the coolers in cold rooms, as this will increase energy consumption and compromise food temperatures. For example, overloading display cabinets can increase their energy consumption by up to 20%.

6. Location of unit Where possible, keep your refrigeration units far away from any sources of heat (including direct sunlight) and draughts. For example, severe draughts can increase the energy consumption of open fronted display cabinets by up to 95%.

You’ll need to leave space around the unit’s vents so it can draw in and expel air.

7. Lighting control Make sure any lights inside the unit are switched off when it’s not in use or outside of trading hours.

8. Temperature management Make sure the product loaded into your display cabinets or cold rooms hasn’t warmed up by being left in an ambient temperature area.

9. Condenser cleaning Make sure the condenser of any integral display cabinets is kept clean. This will help it last longer, consume less energy and chill faster. You can use a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove all dust and debris, taking care not to damage the unit. You won’t need a refrigeration contractor for this.

Want to know more about refrigeration?The following organisations can help with queries about refrigeration and the various methods of control:


• The British Refrigeration Association www.feta.co.uk Tel 0118 940 3416

• The Institute of Refrigeration www.ior.org.uk Tel 020 8647 7033

Process plant

Process plant /

Process plant covers a diverse range of equipment, including dryers, furnaces, baking ovens, mixers and blenders, crushers and grinders, tanks and vats, treatment booths and many others used for specialist jobs in industry. However, this equipment is often overlooked when people are thinking about energy efficiency because it’s seen as too specialist. Concern about product quality can often hinder trying anything new. But there are some simple house-keeping measures that can reduce energy costs significantly.

Want to know more about process plant?The following organisation can help with more efficiency information about process plant and the various methods of control:


Using process plant effectivelyShut down unnecessary plant Preventing any unwanted plant from running will save the full input power to the plant.

Plan for energy efficiency in new installations An investment in energy efficiency at an early stage could yield good results in the longer term.

Ensure plant is used at its optimum level It’s always better to run plant at its optimum, as this is when efficiency is greatest. At quiet times, it may be better to shutdown the plant and allow for the workload to build up again.

Monitor energy performance of key processes Monitoring consumption patterns on a regular basis will help keep track of costs, but may also give an early indication of equipment malfunction, as increasing consumption is often associated with imminent plant failure. Monitoring equipment and software could help you to keep track these costs without having to manually check through energy statements.

Ensure plant is properly maintained Poorly maintained plant could use up to 30% (sometimes more) energy for the same production and is more likely to break down.

Consider options for improved controls for existing processes A control system that maximises through put but minimises costs is the ideal set-up and could lead to savings.

Microgeneration – could you make your own energy? /

Businesses are now being encouraged by the UK government to invest in small-scale electricity generation – from mini wind turbines and solar panels to tapping energy from on-site hydro sources and installing anaerobic digestion units. It’s all part of Britain’s low-carbon strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and help meet future renewable energy targets.

As a result, the Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme became effective on 1 April 2010. FIT is a ‘clean energy cash-back’ scheme designed to incentivise businesses and households to invest in small-scale renewable technologies in return for guaranteed payments.

Tariffs are set taking into consideration the technology costs and expected electricity generation, with an approximate rate of return of between 5 percent and 8 percent for well-sited installations.

Could you make your own energy?

Microgeneration

To find out more about the benefits of FITs,please contact one of our specialist Feed in Tariff advisors on 0845 078 2977

Next steps /

Now you have reviewed the key areas for saving energy, the next stage is putting this information into practice – and getting the help and support you need to make this happen.

Putting ideas into action

Extra help from npower

Draw up an action plan which should be a simple schedule of the improvements that need to be made, when they will be made, and who will be responsible for them. When writing an action plan:

• Make someone responsible for each improvement

• Allocate resources – both time and money if needed – to each improvement

• Where possible, set deadlines for the completion of each improvement and keep checking to ensure each has been done

• Identify a governance structure and reporting lines so that the person(s) with day to day responsibilities have a Director level contact in charge of ensuring that the improvements proceed as planned

• Prioritise improvements according to energy cost savings and time taken to recoup the cost

• Prioritise improvements according to energy cost savings and time taken to recoup the cost

Once you have your energy efficiency ‘champion(s)’ decided, defining an energy efficiency policy that best suits your business is an ideal next step. For a small business with limited energy use, the policy shown in Appendix 2 may be appropriate. However for more complex businesses or those with more demanding energy needs, a bespoke solution may be needed.

We have developed a range of products and services under our Energy Saving Know:How initiative to support our business customers and identify ways that you could reduce energy waste, carbon emissions and energy bills.

For smaller businesses, Know:How offers a range of advice and expert help. The advice is free to npower business supply customers and includes an energy monitor to help you

understand more about how your business uses energy – and how you can become more efficient. Plus there are lots of helpful tips and tailor-made efficiency recommendations. For more information, see npower.com/business/save-energy

Next steps

Next steps /

• The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme is a key part of the Government’s programme to manage climate change. It provides businesses with enhanced tax relief for investments in equipment that meets published energy-saving criteria. The scheme enables businesses to claim a 100% first year capital allowance on investments in certain energy saving equipment, against the taxable profits of the period of investment.

The ECA website has a list of eligible energy technologies and equipment – these currently include lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, boiler equipment, compressed air equipment, refrigeration and more.

For full details, visit the scheme’s website at etl.decc.gov.uk or call The Carbon Trust Energy Helpline on 0800 085 2005.

Further help with energy efficiency:• The Carbon Trust

A government-funded organisation that provides energy efficiency information, advice and funding for UK businesses looking to save energy and carbon emissions. The trust promotes best practice and encourages action, with advice and support at every stage – from planning to design, implementation and management. Key services include:

Their services are designed to make Energy Efficiency Easy for organisations and businesses, for both the suppliers of the equipment and its ultimate users.

Whether you need finance for new equipment, to find high quality equipment suppliers or understand how to improve your energy efficiency, we can provide flexible, impartial and practical help including:

• Energy site surveys to help you identify where energy savings can be made

• Business case and investment appraisals to help you demonstrate the benefits of investing in energy efficiency

• Sourcing of high quality and competitive suppliers of energy efficient equipment

• Flexible and affordable financing in the forms of leases, loans and hire purchase, designed to be offset by energy cost savings

For further information, visit www.thecarbontrust.co.uk or phone 0800 085 2005.

• The Energy Systems Trade Association (ESTA) The Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) is the UK’s leading energy management industry association. With over 25 years’ involvement in energy management, ESTA is a standard setter in the development of the industry. They have a highly regarded and impressive track record of promoting their members’ interests at the highest levels in the UK, Europe and internationally.

For further details, visit www.esta.org.uk or phone 01268 569010

• The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Promotes the career of building services engineers by accrediting courses of study in further and higher education, by approving workbased training programmes and providing routes to full professional Registration and Membership, including Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Technician.

For further details, visit www.cibse.org or phone 020 8675 5211.

• The Energy Institute The Energy Institute is the leading chartered professional membership body for the energy industry, supporting over 16,000 individuals working in or studying energy and 250 companies worldwide. The EI provides learning and networking opportunities to support professional development, as well as professional recognition and technical and scientific knowledge resources on energy in all its forms and applications.

For further details, visit www.energyinst.org or phone 020 7467 7100.

• The National Energy Foundation The National Energy Foundation is an independent charity, carrying out work throughout the UK. They undertake this through the following activities: undertaking projects, where it adds value in collaboration with other organisations; providing Capacity Building Programmes and infrastructure support, especially in the areas of Energy Certification and standards offering and information and advice.

For further information, visit www.nef.org.uk or phone 01908 665555.

Funding for energy efficiency measuresMany energy efficiency measures cost nothing to implement, while others require minimal expenditure with a short pay-back period. However, some efficiency improvements may require more significant investment – and where that’s difficult to fund, you may be able to get some help

The Carbon Trust offer low-cost financing to public and private-sector organisations that want to invest in low-carbon equipment.

Through their partnership with Siemens they also have Energy Efficiency Financing (EEF) available. This means organisations can benefit from flexible and affordable loans and leases for energy-efficient equipment, which will be offset by the savings it helps generate.

Sample Action Plan /

Appendix 1: Sample Action Plan

XYZ Co Ltd Energy PolicyXYZ Co Ltd is determined to conserve all forms of energy to reduce operating costs and to minimise damage to the environment. With volatile and increasing fuel prices, it has become imperative that we all seek to use less energy. As well as moving towards more efficient use of energy, XYZ Co Ltd will strive to source its energy needs from renewable sources, which will further protect the environment.

It is hoped that over the next two years, XYZ Co Ltd will have saved a minimum of XX% of its energy use by the adoption of best practice, modern engineering solutions and by the encouragement and commitment of its employees to use less energy. These savings can be channelled into further energy saving initiatives and front line services in support of our main business activities.

We’ll renew this energy policy at regular intervals and update it to take into account changing circumstances and to ensure it provides opportunities for continuous improvement.

The responsibility for overseeing the energy policy and for subsequent reviews has been delegated to Mrs Somebody, who will be supported by Mr Someone. Please give them your whole hearted support.

President’s, Chairman’s or Chief Executive’s signature:

Date:

Item What will be done Who will do it When

1 Ensure all computer monitors are turned off at night All Every night

2 Fit door closer to external door Fred By 20 March

3 Change T12 fluorescent tubes to T8 Bill By 25 March

4 Undertake compressed air leak test Harry By 2 April

5 Check thermostat settings on space heating Bill By 25 March

6

7

8

9

10

Appendix 2: Sample Energy Policy

Sample Energy Policy /

Energy Policy StatementThis document sets out the goals, objectives and targets for the sustained reduction in energy use throughout the XYZ Co Ltd organisa-tion. This energy policy forms the basis of a two-year energy saving plan, which will lead to environmental benefits and the potential to lower operating costs. The energy policy will run between October 2013 and September 2015 and will be reviewed every six months to ensure the goals, objectives and targets are on track and to incorporate any necessary changes.

It is the intention of XYZ Co Ltd to:• Publish our corporate energy policy.• Purchase environmentally friendly energy, where we are not disadvantaged by so doing.• Adopt a whole life costing approach to purchases, where particular attention is paid to energy efficiency.• Reduce energy consumption, and thus reduce carbon emissions.• Improve overall energy efficiency.• Engineer solutions for saving energy rather than rely solely on manual intervention.• Encourage and motivate employees to save energy.• Publicise these objectives.• Ensure all items identified in our action plan have been implemented.• Introduce energy conservation into the induction process for all new employees,

TargetsXYZ Co Ltd has agreed to a sustained reduction in energy consumption, year on year, by the adoption of the two-year energy saving plan. The individual targets for reductions in gas and electricity are detailed below. The base year for statistical purposes will be 2012 and all targets will be set and measured against this.

GasFor gas, the plan is to reduce consumption by around X% per year over the next 2 years, leading to a total reduction of 10% in gas usage by 2013. This will be measured by kWh/m2, and weather conditions will be taken into account.

ElectricityFor electricity, the plan is to reduce consumption by around X% per year over the next 2 years, leading to a total reduction of 10% in electricity usage by 2015. This will be measured by kWh/m2.

Date: Date:

npower is a registered trademark and the trading name of Npower Limited (registered in England and Wales no. 3653277), Npower Direct Limited (registered in England and Wales no. 3782443), Npower Northern Limited (registered in England and Wales no. 3432100) and associated companies. Registered office: Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, SN5 6PB.

npm7847/RF13874/10.13.

For further information visitnpower.com/business/save-energy

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