The document discusses energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), highlighting the increasing percentage of energy costs and the implications of energy use on expenses and environmental impact. It provides local examples of businesses that have successfully implemented energy-saving measures, such as improved heating and lighting systems, resulting in significant cost reductions. Additionally, the document outlines methods for assessing energy use and offers resources for assistance in enhancing energy efficiency.

1. Energy Efficiency for Small and Medium Size
Enterprises
Jon Bird and Mike Brain
Severn Wye Energy Agency
www.swea.co.uk
01452 835060
Presentation available on line at:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest/eventspresentations
SWEA
Severn Wye Energy Agency
• Independent not for profit charity
• based in Gloucestershire
• Energy efficiency, renewable energy and education projects
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2. Questions for Today
•How much energy is used in in a small business?
•Where is energy used?
•Why reduce energy use?
•Local Examples
•How can we check it is being used effectively?
•How can we reduce ineffective use?
•Will we have to spend to save?
•Is there any assistance available?
Energy in SMEs
• How much energy is
used in a small
business?
• 10 years ago,
average 4% of
costs
• Last year, average
10% of costs
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3. Energy use
•Where is energy used?
Heating and Hot water
Lighting
Cooling
Equipment
Motivation
Why might we want to reduce energy
use?
Cost
Comfort
Environment
Image/client pressure
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4. Why not?
• Investment costs
• Hidden costs
• Transaction costs
• Market failures
• Ignorance, Inertia, Internal structures
The national context
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5. Local Examples: U Godsell and Sons Dairy Farm
Key Points
• Simple no and low cost steps
already taken
• Modern variable speed milking
pump cuts annual milking pump
energy use by £1000 pa
• Compressor heat recovery will cut
annual hot water heating costs by
£100 pa
Local Examples: The Retreat Bar
Total gas and electricity use
and bill reduced by 15%.
Cellar service running costs cut
by new cellar insulation:
Cooling costs halved.
Installation of timers on lights
ensures they are only on when
they should be.
Smart meter enables savings
and problems to be identified in
real time.
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6. Local Examples: Minchinhampton Golf Club
Key Points
• First stage of new efficient
lighting in new course
clubhouse reduces annual
electricity bills by £1,500 p.a.
• Improved heating in Old
Course Clubhouse improves
comfort and cuts annual gas
bills by £500
• Air blade hand dryers reduce
costs by £5,000 per year.
Energy use
How can we check it is being used effectively?
Understand current use
Energy walk round/survey/audit
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7. Energy survey
1. Collect and analyse data from bills
Understand your energy use
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8. 60
Electrical demand (kW)
45
30
15
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Time
0
Energy survey
2. Walk round: Look at
Heating
Hot water
Lighting
Building fabric
Equipment
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9. Four categories of energy waste
INEFFICIENT POORLY CONTROLLED
• Poorly maintained boilers • Timer and/or temperature controls
• Use of traditional bulbs instead of wrongly set
energy saving lamps • Relying on manual control
UNNECESSARY INAPPROPRIATE
• Equipment and lights that are • Use of inappropriate fuels e.g. on
redundant peak electricity as heating fuel
Where do the opportunities lie?
• No Cost
• Low Cost
• Capital Cost
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10. Energy Efficient = High Cost?
Management vs. technical solutions
Energy Savings
Management
Technical
Cost
Energy survey
Heating
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11. Energy survey
Hot water
Energy survey
Lighting
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12. Lighting
Is daylight enough?
Lighting controls: manual, timed or
presence sensors?
Who’s responsible for switching off?
Which switch is it anyway??
Are light fittings clean?
Are light bulbs efficient?
Energy survey
Building fabric
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13. Energy survey
Equipment
Equipment
Are computers and equipment left on
when not being used?
Are “power save” modes used?
Is energy consumption considered
when purchasing?
Does equipment reduce the need for
heat or increase the need for cooling?
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14. Main Survey Recommendations
• Heating issues – temperature, time settings &
control
• Heating/Cooling clash
• Time switches on electrical equipment (water
heaters)
• Lighting – management and type
• Secondary/Double glazing
• Heating control (TRV)
• Office equipment
• Staff awareness – work and home
Energy walk around – when?
Lunchtimes
Shift change
At night / over the weekend
When the cleaners are on duty
Beginning and end of the heating
season
When the clocks change
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15. Assistance
Is there any assistance
available?
SWEA:
Assistance
Is there any assistance
available?
SWEA:
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16. Assistance
Is there any assistance available?
Carbon Trust – Loans, advice
Business Link
Federation of Small Businesses
Enhanced Capital Allowances/Energy Technology
List
SWMAS
Energy Saving Trust (for home based businesses)
Energy Efficiency for Small and Medium Size
Enterprises
Jon Bird and Mike Brain
Severn Wye Energy Agency
www.swea.co.uk
01452 835060
Presentation available on line at:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest/eventspresentations
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