New energy audit programme could save licensees thousands
The audit programme, run in partnership with Mentor, RBS Group’s business consultancy service, has been rolled out across the UK today (27 January) following a pilot in the north of England.
More than 60 businesses with an annual energy spend of between £10,000 and £200,000 a year took part in the pilot, achieving an average projected potential saving of £23,000. This includes annual savings on payments as well as potential refunds from overpaid energy bills.
The audit looks at three main areas of energy including efficiency and use; how businesses are buying their energy – and whether they are on the correct tariff; and whether there is an opportunity for them to produce their own energy through renewable technology.
Audits aim to highlight immediate, medium and long-term opportunities for businesses, guidance on what to do next and estimated costs, savings and payback periods.
Significant costs
Andrew Taylor, head of leisure for commercial banking at NatWest and RBS, said: “Rising energy costs have been an issue for leisure businesses for a while as it tends to be a significant part of operating costs. These audits will help identify the areas to save money whether that is changing light bulbs in hotel rooms, efficient kitchen energy use or using biomass to heat swimming pools.
“We look at the behaviours of businesses, as well as utilising potential energy generated naturally by the business – ideal for those in the leisure and hospitality industry which commonly have high energy use. I think we can really help our customers with these audits.”
The Borough – a pub, restaurant and hotel in Lancaster – projected a saving of more than £7,500 a year through changing habits and now generates its own biodiesel from used cooking oil, after investing in a Mentor energy audit.
Simple savings
Borough director Martin Homer said: “When the cleaners used to come into the building in the morning, they used to turn on all the lights at 6am and leave them on until we served at 12pm. The simple act of asking them to switch off all lights when they leave has saved us 20% on our power bill.”
A survey carried out by the bank at the end of 2013 showed that although 85% of businesses agree that the rise of energy costs is a concern, less than a quarter carry out regular reviews (every 7-12 months) of their energy.
The research also showed that 96% of respondents were on the standard energy tariff, with only 11% generating their own energy through renewable technology.
