What can I do?

Free guidance and consultation to help you assess and improve your business’s energy efficiency

The Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is the Government’s main provider of help for businesses aiming to improve their energy efficiency.

Publications are available from The Carbon Trust free of charge, including:

  • guidance on getting started; self-assessment guides to examine your organisation’s progress in energy management; energy consumption guides (providing benchmarks and comparisons to other businesses) sector-specific fact sheets; good practice and case studies; and videos, posters and leaflets to help you spread the word and train your staff.

The Carbon Trust also provides a UK-wide advice service through its telephone helpline. This service is free and confidential, and can link you to experienced energy consultants in your area. To access the helpline, phone 0800 085 2005.

Businesses with an energy expenditure greater than £10k per year can apply for a free site energy survey to identify potential energy-saving measures. This service can also be arranged through the helpline.

In Northern Ireland, the Carbon Trust's services are funded by Invest Northern Ireland.

Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit company set up in 1993 by the Government and the major energy companies. Its objective is to promote the efficient use of all forms of energy, leading to a reduction in harmful emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. Energy Saving Trust provides expert and impartial advice and information, as well as grants to encourage the more efficient use of energy in homes and vehicles across the UK.

In Scotland, small and medium enterprises can access additional support from the Scottish Executive funded Energy Saving Trust Business Advisers and the Energy Efficiency Advice for Scotland website. For free advice phone 0845 458 5040.

Financial Help for Energy Efficiency Improvement

Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme
This UK-wide scheme is managed by the Carbon Trust on behalf of the UK Government. The Scheme enables businesses to claim 100% first year capital allowance on investments in energy-saving technologies and products.

To qualify, your business has to choose from a list (the Energy Technology List) of products and technologies recognised by the Scheme as superior in energy efficiency.
For full details, visit the ECA website.

Interest Free Loans for Energy Saving Investments
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, small businesses that have been trading for at least 12 months can apply to the Carbon Trust for interest free loans from £5,000 to £100,000 with a maximum payback period of 5 years. These loans are available to small businesses for energy saving projects such as installing energy efficient lighting, insulation or installing small combined heat and power plants.

In Scotland, the same kind of loan scheme is available through the 'Loan Action Scotland Scheme', funded by the Scottish Executive and managed by the Wise Group. Loan Action Scotland provides loans from £5,000 to £50,000 at 0% fixed interest. For more information, or for an application pack, please call the Loan Action Scotland helpline on 0800 092 9002. Please note that Scottish Businesses are not eligible for interest free loans from the Carbon Trust.

Emissions Trading Schemes
Businesses that are significantly reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide through improved energy efficiency can turn their emissions reductions directly into capital by joining the UK or EU Emissions Trading Schemes. Please refer to the NetRegs Climate Change and Emissions Trading Schemes Management Guidelines for further information.

  • Climate change levy and emissions trading
  • Application Forms and Guidance
    Business support organisations
    Government and regulators
    NetRegs Surveys
    Pollution Prevention Guidelines
    Trade associations
  • Contact the Institute at facts@sasm.co.uk
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Generating and using heat locally – Solar thermal for your home

For private homes, generating heat through solar energy is the most sensible solution from a self-sufficiency point of view. Energy for hot water and heating is generated locally from your roof, without transport costs. The system is dimensioned according to your hot water requirements and is determined mainly by the number of collectors on the roof and the size of the storage cylinder