Cut down on energy costs
Jun 18 2004
Small businesses could save up to 25% of their total utility bills, according to a survey from the Carbon Trust, a company set up by the Government to help the UK meet its climate change obligations.
The savings stem form the use of advanced metering equipment, which is currently being trialled at more than 300 small business sites across the UK. The Carbon Trust expects that meters will be installed in up to a thousand sites by the end of this year.
Advanced metering can help highlight areas where wastage can be cut and savings made. Electricity, gas and water consumption is monitored every 15 minutes, enabling detailed analysis of usage patterns. According to the Carbon Trust, this was previously impossible, since companies could only use utility bills, often based on infrequent meter readings or estimates.
“Metering is a well understood process for gaining significant cost savings. Lower-cost metering technology was needed, and has only recently become available. The early results of the Carbon Trust’s trial of this new, lower-priced technology prove that advanced metering offers impressive cost savings for SMEs,” explains Tony Duffin, Carbon Trust programme development manager.
According to the Carbon Trust, the technology is simple to install and use, and quickly pays for itself. The process typically involves installing a radio transmitter on electricity, gas and water meters, which send readings every 15 minutes to a desktop computer, enabling companies to monitor energy consumption. A software package converts the readings, indicating the costs and future consumption targets.
Results of the trial will contribute to the Government’s strategic energy policy development. Companies interested in the technology should contact info@thecarbontrust.co.uk.
(18/6/04)
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