How to gain control over your utilities

A new 'waste watching' service has been launched to help larger companies profit both the environment and their bottom line through making more efficient use of utilities. Total energy management is at the core of the service from Utility Auditing (UAL), beginning with an on-site survey to assess areas of waste and make recommendations for improved efficiency and including professional follow-up support to implement key proposals. 'The average business is wasting up to 20 per cent of its energy, says Paul Backx, managing director of UAL.

'Considering that gas and electricity prices have risen by as much as 60% over the last year, and water is also set to spiral in cost over the coming years, companies are frittering away more profit than ever before - as well as causing unnecessary damage to the environment from needless CO2 emissions'.

The new service offers qualifying companies access to a broad range of energy efficiency funding via the Carbon Trust.

This can cover the cost of surveys, preparation of energy policies and staff awareness training, and includes interest free loans to help implement a range of energy efficiency measures.

UAL is able to arrange Carbon Trust funding applications and provide advice on making use of enhanced capital allowances to offset costs.

Businesses may seek help with monitoring and targeting to promote better cost control, along with a full range of procurement and supplier management support to make sure they buy their energy at the most advantageous price and validate bills on an on-going basis.

A climate change Levy management service is also available.

A dedicated business manager provides the company with a complete project management service and an expert helpline service is also available.

Companies can also gain control over their water supply.

Analysts from UAL will make a detailed examination of patterns of water usage and cost profile to identify any waste or anomalies in billing.

Such work may pay off in the recovery of overcharges dating back six years and could amount to thousands of pounds.

Advice on total water management and leak detection is available to ensure users optimise efficiency.

Major savings are also possible through increasing the efficiency of wastewater processes, reducing pollution, and identifying recovery value for recycled waste product.

Added Paul Backx: 'With climate change and spiralling utilities costs, energy management is now a boardroom issue.

We can help organisations to develop and implement coherent and practical strategies for dealing with these issues.

Many efficiency measures can be implemented at low and zero cost, and where investment is necessary the payback is often within one to two years - or even quicker if the investment qualifies for an interest free loan and Enhanced Capital Allowance.