With soaring gas and electricity prices hot on the heels of COP26 and Boris Johnson’s ‘one minute to midnight’ climate-change warning, energy has become a high-agenda item for most businesses. Neil Fright, CEO of multi-award-winning energy consultancy Carbon Numbers talks to Hub News about the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“Given the lack of direction, legislation and support, there is still a misconception amongst the majority of SMEs that energy reduction isn’t a priority for them.
The upshot is that three-quarters of UK SMEs are spending more than they need to on energy – around fifty percent more than larger businesses. When we go in and audit customers, they are shocked at how small changes can deliver huge savings across the business.
Every business can make simple, but highly effective changes that can significantly reduce energy usage, typically saving double the cost of any infrastructure changes. For instance, even leaving one computer and monitor switched on overnight adds up to around £50 in energy costs a year.
The way we use our working environments has changed, but so has the technology to enable smart buildings that can flex around business operations. One of the most effective ways for facilities to manage energy spending and increase eco-credit is investment in an energy management system (EMS).
Once energy reductions and climate improvements are in place, EMS technology enables you to monitor and manage your building performance in real-time. For instance, you may have low-use areas, or staff in on certain days, so you set the environment to create the optimum climate for your building users.
The good news for businesses is that all this can be implemented rapidly with guaranteed savings against any capital expenditure. Your smart building will deliver a year-on-year return on investment and give you a clear path to net zero.
We all want to contribute to lowering emissions, and I have yet to meet a business owner who wants to spend more on bills than they need to, but there is another benefit.
We are seeing increasing demand on businesses to evidence their impact on the environment and commitment to 
carbon reduction as part of their corporate social responsibility. The tide has turned and stakeholders will be asking ‘what are you doing to reduce your carbon emissions?’
We can help. Carbon Numbers offers a free on-site consultation with a detailed energy audit that will show you how you can lower your emissions, reduce costs and get a smarter, more efficient building. With energy process set to continue rising, it’s time to get energy smart.”
Neil Fright is an ESOS lead assessor and a thought leader within the energy efficiency and low carbon sector. In the last nine years, Carbon Numbers has saved UK businesses more than £25 million in energy savings through smart building initiatives.
Case study: Enabling more than £500,000 in energy savings for motor group
Sandicliffe is an award-winning motor group with ten dealerships across the Midlands. Carbon Numbers worked in partnership with Sandicliffe to create and agree an Energy Performance Contract (EnPC). This is where the customer is best advised on how to improve their facility’s energy efficiencies, and in turn, energy conservation measures that are implemented begin to generate sufficient savings to pay for the project, making it a cost neutral process.
The turnkey service included compliance reporting, bill validation and sub metering with transition to cloud-based energy monitoring and reporting. Alongside the installation of BEMS, LED and lighting controls, Carbon Numbers delivered training to site operatives and continue to provide support with Sandicliffe’s low carbon strategy.
“Paul Woodhouse, Director of Sandicliffe Motor Group commented: “We understand the importance of improving our carbon footprint and are committed to striving to be more energy efficient. By entering a long-term partnership, we at Sandicliffe will see over £500,000 of bottom line benefit.”
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