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How to create a business energy strategy for 2021

With green recovery driving the government’s economic policy and the UK on a mission to decarbonise all of its sectors, businesses will need to be strategic and forward thinking in their energy use and policy. Here are some top tips to help businesses achieve this great goal of sustainability:

  • Understanding – what are the needs of your business? To make predictions on how much power you will need now, and in the future, you must first understand how energy drives production and value in your company.
  • Assessment – how much energy does your business use? Who supplies this energy? What is the environmental impact of your business?
  • Targets – once you have figured out the why and how, you can begin to adapt. Setting both short-term and long-term targets for your business is essential to reducing your carbon footprint. The ultimate goal is to be a carbon-neutral business.
  • Engagement – employees, from senior management down to executives, need to buy-in to the business’s ‘go green’ policy for targets to be met. Communication is key here.
  • Leadership – assign the ‘energy reduction/management’ project to someone in the business, who can lead and champion sustainable energy use across the entire organisation.
  • Creativity – it’s likely that your business will have to balance economic and environmental priorities, which might require some lateral thinking to meet targets. Alternative sources of energy, like battery storage or solar power, can minimise costs and reduce carbon emissions – be open to using different sources.
  • Accountability – track your progress (there is great software available to monitor energy use) and assess the results at regular intervals, adjusting your strategy in order to meet targets.

The reality is that businesses don’t really have a choice in the matter – the country is going green and companies (as well as homeowners and road users) need to get on board; it is exciting to be a part of an initiative to save our planet.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302
8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Effects of lockdown could see UK emissions drop but climate change is still a threat

Over the strictest period of lockdown (March to May) in the UK, when people were confined to their home other than for essential purpose, analysis states that carbon emissions were reduced by 36 per cent. No cars on the road. Public transport at a minimum. Buildings not in use.

Sky News goes on to report that if we progress in a linear way, carbon emissions will reduce by 11 per cent this year – a much bigger drop than the 3 per cent target set by the Committee on Climate Change (based in the assumption that schools and businesses be back as usually by the beginning of October).

Whilst this is some good news in what has been (and continues to be) a dire situation for many, socially and economically, it is important to acknowledge that the dent we’ve made is just that – small. Richard Betts, a scientist at the UK’s Met Office, told National Geographic that the disruption in carbon emission only results in a tiny drop in the overall concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere because of how long the gas effectively lingers and accumulates.

This is no time for businesses and individuals alike to give up on green solution strategies. Working hard to deplete our carbon footprint is imperative, with the focus on three main areas: power, transport and buildings (accounting for 84 per cent of UK emissions) – reducing, reusing and recycling. Every business can do it – no matter how big or how small.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302
8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Do businesses still have to pay for their energy during the coronavirus lockdown?

Coronavirus lockdown has resulted in the temporary suspension of many businesses (both small and large) or at least, reduced operations. Does this mean that companies still have to pay their energy bills?

The simple answer is yes. All business utility and energy bills are expected to be paid as normal including standing charges.

The good news is: your business is likely to be using less energy, which will reduce your energy costs! – Especially if no one is at work. (Just make sure all of your energy-sapping equipment is turned off at the mains, and turn off your heating!)

What if your small business is struggling to stay solvent and paying your bills is threatening the survivability of your company? – Good question.

Although there’s no financial help available for energy bills, suppliers have agreed with the government that no meters will be cut off during the coronavirus pandemic. As a business owner, your best course of action is to your supplier as soon as possible to explain the situation and work out an arrangement, which could include either of the following:

  • Debt repayments being reassessed, which could see them paused or cut.
  • Bill payments being reassessed, which could see them paused or cut.

It’s worth noting that whilst your energy supply might not be cut off during lockdown, if you don’t pay your bills you will fall into debt with your supplier – and steps can be take n to reclaim the debt (like put in a pre-payment meter).

There are a couple of things you can do to avoid falling into debt with your provider:

  1. Change supplier if you can get a better deal elsewhere. Just remember:
  • If you’ve been in debt with your supplier for more than 28 days, you won’t be able to switch until the debt is paid off.
  • You won’t be able to compare business energy deals until your current deal enters its switching window, which is usually between one and six months before its end date.
  1. Submit a meter reading. If you still have access to your business premises, and it’s safe to do so, you should provide a gas or electricity meter reading online. This way, if your business is closed, you’ll receive an accurate bill which will be lower because you’re using less energy. If your business is open, but on reduced operations, you’ll only pay for the energy you’re using.

Thank you to Britishgas.co.uk and Bionic.co.uk for the advice! Do visit these sites for further details.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Why a wall-hung boiler could be the right option for your business

If you’re considering a new boiler for your business, a wall-hung (aka wall mounted) boiler might be the way to go. They have the benefit of being smaller than traditional boilers meaning they are easier to handle and can be installed side-by-side in a modular boiler arrangement.

A wall-hung boiler might look like a small hinged cupboard but it is a fully staffed boiler system, equipped with an expansion tank, safety valve, and a water circulation pump. It’s the perfect option for a small space in which there is no place for the installation of larger equipment.

Wall-hung boilers are also likely to cost less and don’t necessarily have to be mounted on an existing wall. In many cases where an existing wall wouldn’t support the weight of the boiler, steel floor standing frames can be used. This option comes with the advantage of factory built and tested pipe kits already in place.

There are various wall-hung boiler options available on the market but Vaillant has just announced the launch of its first high output boiler in over 10 years (available since May 1), which is being manufactured in the UK at Vaillant’s Belper headquarters. The ecoTEC 48kw and 64kw are described as lighter, smaller and more compact solutions than previous wall-hung models. Customers will also be able to reap the benefits of greater efficiencies, with the products being up to ErP A+ rated when installed alongside controls.

CH Systems is an approved installer for Vaillant heating equipment – if you’d like to find out more about wall hung boilers or if you have any energy queries relating to your home or business, contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.co.uk.

Sources: hvpmag.co.uk – “Vaillant launches new ecoTEC plus boiler”; Greenmatch.co.uk – “3 Important Things to Keep in Mind When Looking for Boilers”

How energy efficient lighting can save your business money

We might be on our way to summer but in spite of the fact that days are getting lighter we’ll be using lights for a while yet because let’s face it; the days are still dark (morning and evening especially). But that doesn’t mean we can’t be thrifty!

Lights left on at night and a lack of attention to the number and placement of fittings in an office or business premises can not only be the cause of light pollution (no, really!) but is likely to hike energy costs way beyond what is necessary.

According to the buffs at the Energy Saving Trust; for the individual business, a lighting upgrade can bring quick payback. On average, 25 per cent of an organisation’s electricity costs come from lighting but a switch to lower-consuming LEDs can reduce this amount, in some cases by as much as 80 per cent.

A further benefit of LED lighting (as opposed to other options) is the controllability factor, which is great in an office where, for example, lights left on when everyone has gone home can be dimmed or even fully switched off remotely to make huge savings on overheads.

Whether you’re a coffee shop, a school, an office block or the local Oxfam, the benefits of LED lighting are tantamount to exceptional savings. Businesses and many local authorities are currently engaged in LED upgrades, and if you’d like to find out more the Energy Trust is running a series of workshops in 2018 through the Premium Light Pro project. The workshops aim to equip installers, planners and decision-makers with the knowledge and tools to drive an LED upgrade plan to completion – CLICK HERE to register.

Source: Energytrust.co.uk – “Bringing a brighter start to 2018”

If you’d like further information, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Preparing to shut your business for Christmas? Check out these top tips:

For a business owner to well truly relax over Christmas (is there really such a thing?) it’s important to plan for a succinct company closure over the holiday period. Deadlines must be met, work finalised, employees paid…all of the typical things that need to happen at the end of the year. And don’t forget to let your clients know!

But then there’s also the equipment, which must be switched off to enable an easy re-start in the New Year. If an ‘electrical shutdown’ is not done properly, you may face issues on your first day back and this will result in lost productivity…and money! This can easily be avoided with some forward thinking.

To properly shut down your production line (including all equipment such as computers, printers and other machinery as well as data equipment), you’ll need to take into consideration how different pieces of equipment and systems interact…i.e. what happens to A and B when I switch off C? In order to initiate a ‘shut down sequence’ that will ensure you don’t lose/damage important documents or compromise the functionality of your equipment, make sure whoever is manning the closure has a clear understanding of what needs to be turned off first, and thereafter.

Finally, make sure lights are off and plugs turned off at the socket to avoid the electrical charges incurred when products are left on standby.

For more useful hints and tips relating to the shutdown of your business this Christmas, read “Planning and preparing your business for Christmas shut down” on Britishgas.co.uk.

And have a very merry Christmas…from the team at CH Systems!

Contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.co.uk if you have any energy queries relating to your home or business.

Monitor your energy use with new Baxi technology

For company owners eager to improve the efficiency of the heating technology that drives their business, Baxi’s newly launched smart control solution will certainly pique some interest.
It’s a uSense smart control that can connect to a boiler with a downloadable app that allows users to control heating from a smartphone or table (from anywhere) as well as monitor energy use and costs so optimum money-saving settings can be calculated.

The smart control is compatible with all Baxi combi boilers that make use of the 230V switch live in a drive to provide more efficient technology in line with a growing focus on sustainable heating for homes and businesses.

Baxi has also launched a new combi boiler designed to weigh under 30kg! The Baxi 600 is small enough to fit into a cupboard and comes with new accessory; the Easy-Fill, which allows consumers to easily repressurise their boiler themselves. Perfect for small businesses! Customers will also benefit from a seven-year warranty with Baxi’s newbie.

H&V News writes that Baxi’s announcement of the launch of the new model and smart control solution reflects a broader push from boiler manufacturers to integrate or offer smart controls with their products.

If you’d like further information, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Why self-sustaining gyms are on the rise in the workplace

As a business owner, have you ever thought about a self-sustaining gym? As in…you and your employees expend energy and save the business energy with simultaneous effect?

Britishgas.co.uk recently wrote about a health club in Bristol – The Cadbury
Club – that has become one of the first gyms in the world to the ARTIS Technogym machines.

ARTIS uses unique technology that reduces energy use, recycling and renewing energy. The energy expended by people using the equipment is rerouted into the network and renewed to feed the gym – hence the term ‘self-sustaining’ gym.

So, why a gym at work when there’s one around just about every corner? Well – just becausethere are gyms, it doesn’t mean people will use them. A healthy lifestyle may improve workforce productivity and by hosting a gym at work, the ‘convenience factor’ could encourage employees to get fit, which in turn should increase work ethic – exercise produces endorphins aiding employees with more self-confidence and energy. As long as it’s fun and
voluntary.

The idea behind self-powering gym workstations is that you can use them easily to include a ‘little and often’ exercise routine into your normal working day. And if they don’t cost the business money to run…why not?

If self-sustaining gyms take off in the office environment, they could reroute workforce energy to feed the business, not just the gym! Certainly something to think about.

Contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc if you have any energy queries relating to your home or business, feel.

Source: Britishgas.co.uk – “Worlplace workouts: Self-powering gym workstations”

Five top tips for choosing new office space

Choosing a new office space for your business is exciting but also stressful. There’s a lot of pressure to choose the right space and the move itself can be taxing. Britishgas.co.uk has some great advice on how to choose the best office space for your business:

The first is LOCATION – where will make your business a success? A few questions you could ask yourself include:

  • Is it the right location for my key employees?
  • Is the location convenient for clients?
  • What is the parking situation?
  • Are there amenities nearby?
  • Are there good transport links?

Next on the list is TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES & SUPPORT. Most businesses, whether small or large, cannot function without technology; speedy computers, reliable internet and all the support needed to make business happen. Choose an office that is conducive to the IT needs of your company.

Also consider where your COMPETITORS work – if, for example, you might share a building with your enemies, and whether this could pose a problem.

WORKSPACE is also essential. Is there enough space to accommodate the potential growth of your business? Does the layout work and how much freedom do you have to decorate the office as you would like? Your new office needs to fit the personality of your business and the needs of your employees.

Lastly, the COST. Probably the most annoying aspect of the search for a new office but it’s important to be realistic; what can your business afford? There’s no point putting your business in jeopardy before you’ve even moved!

Think realistically but also remember to accommodate the dreams you have for your business, in your new office space!

Source: Britishgas.co.uk – “Choosing the right office space for your business”

Why your boiler might need a service this summer

Common perception is that boilers are put under strain in winter months but recent research by ADEY Professional Heating Solutions suggests that demand for hot water (if not heating) increases in summer.

Of the 2,000 participants who took part in the study, almost one in five of those surveyed are likely to shower more than once a day at some point in the week, up from around one in 10 people during winter months. Seventy per cent of participants also articulated a preference for showers rather than baths, compared to 55 per cent in winter.

It is summer after all – more people are engaging in physical activity, with a third of people saying they either work out or play a sport that requires a shower or bath afterwards – between twice and as many as six times in a week. This means that gyms are likely to have their boilers running at maximum capacity! There’ll probably also be loads more employees cycling to work, which means that companies with shower facilities might also be confronted with boiler exertion.

Businesses should be aware that although system protection seems to be punted by the heating industry in winter, if boiler(s) have not been serviced in the last 12 months (as per industry standard), neglecting it in the summer under the assumption that it’s not being put under strain is probably unwise.

Boiler breakdown is not only costly but entirely inconvenient, especially if you’re a business aiming to keep employees happy (no one wants to sit next to a sweaty cyclist!) as well as save on overheads.

Service your boiler!

If you’d like further information, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Source: hpvmag.co.uk – “Silent summer strain on boilers”