Virtual energy assessments launched to help Scottish businesses save cash

18th June 2020

Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are being encouraged to bring their costs down with free, one to one, virtual support available from Zero Waste Scotland.

Through the recently launched Energy Efficiency Business Support Service, which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Zero Waste Scotland is offering small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) energy assessments to identify where simple actions could result in significant financial savings.

Support can begin immediately, and assessments typically find 24% savings on business energy bills. For a typical SME in Scotland that's around a £2,500 saving on energy costs.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said:"We know businesses are exploring every measure that could benefit their budget at the present time, as well as helping to futureproof their operations. I would encourage any business in Scotland to contact our advisors and see where we can work together to identify savings.

“Lighting can account for over 20% of a business’ total energy bill, and more than half for offices with gas central heating. It’s clear that energy can be a significant cost to a small business, and with many in Scotland negotiating the unprecedented effects of the coronavirus pandemic on their bottom line addressing energy inefficiency could be a welcome solution to reducing overheads.

“There’s a strong argument to be made that economic recovery must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, and our work with SMEs in Scotland reflects that too. Our advisors have already supported organisations to identify over £200million in savings - that’s a clear demonstration of the demand for sustainable opportunities for growth."

Businesses interested in a virtual energy assessment can receive a dedicated, expert advisor who will work with them on a one to one basis and assess current energy use data to identify and quantify savings.

Examples of savings typically identified include:

installing more efficient heating systems,
improving the insulation of a building or investing in more energy efficient equipment, such as a state of the art oven or a more efficient refrigeration unit, and
investing in LED lighting.

Case study

Dedicated support from Zero Waste Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Business Support Service identified annual savings worth thousands of pounds for the Boat Hotel in the Cairngorms.

A detailed assessment undertaken by expert advisors appointed to the family-run hotel on a one-to-one basis recommended several energy-saving actions that would both reduce costs and help the environment. These included installing cavity insulation, improving existing roof insulation, investing in LED lighting and considering solar PV panels.

Jon Erasmus, Director of the Boat Hotel, said: “The free advice provided has given us the confidence to go ahead and start making improvements to reduce our costs and improve our green credentials.”

The full case study and further case studies are available on the Zero Waste Scotland website (external link).

To find out more, or to apply, visit www.energy.zerowastescotland.org.uk (external link). Alternatively, contact our advisors directly by calling 0808 808 2268 or emailing EnergyEfficiency@zerowastescotland.org.uk

The Energy Efficiency Business Support Service is part of Zero Waste Scotland’s Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme, which will invest £35million in Scotland in resource efficiency projects thanks to support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).