March 13, 2012

Contact the Professionals to Discuss Your Micro Generation Project

Filed under: business energy — Tags: , — Newsroom @ 2:56 pm

The new technologies that are now available to businesses can present many minefields if professional advice isn’t sought from the beginning.  Once the decision has been made to consider micro generation and to discover the benefits to the company, it is much wiser to ask for assistance immediately, before starting on something which may not be the appropriate solution for your business.

Ask for Help

A firm of independent energy brokers has the experience and expertise to be able to guide the project from inception, so that there isn’t the necessity to back-track over previously included or discarded suggestions.  Contacting specialists immediately can save costs and will ensure that everything, once decided moves forward smoothly in an organised manner.

They will discuss everything with you in terms which aren’t too technical, yet aren’t in a patronising way.  This way you can be sure that everyone understands the details, rather than one person trying to explain to others something which they don’t themselves fully comprehend.  The system will be designed specifically for your company and will have been chosen, after surveying the premises, as being the best for your circumstances.

Let Them Organise Everything

The broker will ensure that any planning requirements are adhered to, although most systems are allowed as being within permitted development rights.  They will make sure that everything is carried out in the correct sequence by project-managing the system from the beginning until the installation is complete.  Once the system is in place they will continue to provide a management service in order to deal with feed-in tariffs so that you will obtain the best return from the export of electricity to the national grid.

Another advantage of choosing a firm of independent energy brokers is that they have access to partners who can arrange the finance of the installation.

It can be a daunting decision to move ahead with new technology, particularly when it isn’t a subject in which you are experienced.  Fortunately, by consulting a firm of independent energy brokers, they have more than enough experience with previous installations at major organisations, so that you can be sure that your system will be in very safe hands.

If you and your business plan to enter the age of renewable energy sources, make the decision to let the experts help you from the beginning.  What have you to lose by discussing your plans with them?  Even if you don’t know whether this is the correct route for your business, it is certainly worth consulting a broker as he will be able to advise on many different ways for your business to save energy.

October 4, 2011

Your New Best Friend – An Independent Energy Broker

Filed under: Energy Efficiency — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 10:38 am

There are many different companies that are now offering to install solar panels to small businesses and residential consumers.  Those home owners and companies which are thinking of installing solar panels as a way of reducing their electricity bills, and also plan to sell excess energy back to the national grid, must ensure that, if they are planning the finance through the government Green Deal system, that they only use an accredited supplier.

Additionally, prior to even getting to that position, the suggested system of micro generation must have been recommended by an accredited and objective adviser after they have completed an assessment of the property.

The adviser will confirm that the financial savings are within the boundaries agreed by the Green Deal and until that time it isn’t possible to arrange to proceed with the installation.  The adviser will take care of everything.

An independent energy broker is ideal to provide assistance for those business and residential consumers who aren’t looking to finance through the Green Deal their solar panels and any other improvements through alternative green micro generation.  The energy broker will be able to provide considerable information and advice in order to ensure a successful installation.  The independent energy broker will also be able to arrange for the excess energy to be sold to the national grid.

Those people whether or not it is for business or residential premises are well advised to use the services of an independent energy broker rather than trying to sort matters on their own.  A broker will have had considerable experience in managing projects similar to this, and will be able to negotiate the best price for the installation, and will also be able to agree the most appropriate contract with an energy provider.

Whilst having green technology installed, it is still important to consider the older tried and tested methods of saving energy.  The major one which is also the most well-known is by loft insulation.  As a high proportion of heat dissipates through the roof it makes perfect sense to have as much loft insulation as possible.  High quality loft insulation can save pounds on gas and electricity bills.

Another method of insulation is by cavity wall; however, the cost in some properties is disproportionate to the amount of savings which can be made.  It may be possible to obtain a grant for the full or partial cost of the cavity wall insulation, and in those circumstances it is obviously a good idea, as there will be some financial savings.

It may also be possible to obtain a grant for the loft insulation which, if it is available, is a great bonus.  These grants may be age, or income related or may depend on whether the homeowner has a disability.  Whatever every business or homeowner does towards a greener future in the UK, it is really important to implement savings on the amount of energy being used.  A little thought and action can bring about some considerable savings.

September 13, 2011

Let’s Save – Then We Can Spend!

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , — Newsroom @ 11:37 am

With energy prices spiralling out of control and there being nothing to redress the balance, perhaps it is time to look at little more closely into what is available from the alternate green and micro generation market.

The cost of installation of most systems will be beyond the reach of many small business owners; however, for those who perhaps share a building with other small businesses, or perhaps a small business park, then there could be an opportunity to pool resources with a view to obtaining lower prices.

Everyone is aware that the huge supermarkets are able to bring products to their shelves at a much lower price than the independent retailers would even need to pay – let alone sell the items.  Buying power is what separates these large companies from their very much smaller and poorer relations.

There are many different options for micro generation installations.  Three of the most familiar are solar panels, wind turbines and biomass boilers, which are fuelled by woodchips and pellets.

Although these alternative heat sources are thought of for commercial and industrial use they are all able to be used within residential properties.  Some architects are being requested to include one of the elements of micro generation installation in planning applications for new properties.

At the moment there are many UK residents who aren’t aware about green technology, and even more people haven’t realised that the government new green deal relates to energy efficiency.  There needs to be a considerable amount of education provided before the UK residents are comfortable with the level of knowledge they have regarding energy efficiency as a whole, never mind micro generation, carbon footprints and greenhouse gas.  There have been so many different alternative concepts which have been primarily targeted at the business owner, that the residents of the UK who aren’t in business have been overlooked.  We’re not idiots, but all the information needs to be easily accessible, together with news items and documentaries explaining the differences between one source of sustainable energy and another.

Once the adult population within the UK are totally aware of the alternatives including installation costs and ongoing income and expenses, then we can ask people to be involved.  At this time, when a high percentage of the population aren’t aware of even basic information regarding alternative forms of energy, then it is unfair and unrealistic to expect everyone to be overly enthusiastic about any new technology.

At present when twenty-five percent of people who were asked about double glazing, cavity wall and loft insulation said that they weren’t interested in installing any of these to reduce energy costs within their homes, it appears unrealistic to be discussing biomass heating systems.

Let’s make sure that everyone knows the basic information regarding saving energy and increasing efficiency in the present energy, before trying to persuade us all to invest again in an alternative form of heating.

August 4, 2011

Renewable Energy

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , , — Newsroom @ 12:29 pm

With one of the largest expenses for any business being the provision of energy, the current enthusiasm for all things “green” has translated into an increased demand for micro generation.  This is the generating of renewable energy from many different natural sources.  With the government encouraging both business and residential consumers to embrace the new technology in the form of grants the benefits of cheaper energy and reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted  this should be a major consideration for every forward thinking business.

The feed-in tariff is designed to provide a financial crutch for low carbon electricity projects and will ensure that all surplus energy generated by the business will result in an export tariff whereby the business sells the excess energy to the electric company – if your business is covered by the CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) Energy Efficiency Scheme then this export tariff payment will be in the form of credits.  Additionally the government guarantees payment to those businesses with microgenerators for electricity produced by renewable sources.  This is an extra payment above the amount received from the electric company.

Whenever renewable energy is mentioned the first thing which usually springs to mind is by the placing of solar panels, which are often installed on a roof.  However, although solar panels are extremely popular they aren’t, by any means, the only method of providing alternative energy.  The huge wind turbines which are often situated in groups to provide large amount of power can be down-scaled to provide for a single business, with an excess which can be sold back to the energy company.    Anaerobic digestion is the provision of converting garden waste, farm animal slurry and food processing plants amongst other businesses, into energy.  The resultant products are biogas – methane and carbon dioxide – which is a close substitute for natural gas and digestate which is able to be used as a low level fertiliser.  Anaerobic digestion has been used by the water industry for many years in the conversion of waste products into energy.

Another emerging source of renewable energy being implemented by businesses is biomass energy.    This is a mixture of twigs and tree branches, dried grass and manure amongst other products.  Biomass energy has a carbon neutral footprint.  Biomass boilers are increasingly being ordered and installed by some large businesses, including supermarkets and together with the utilisation of solar panels can ensure a constant supply of heating and hot water.  Ongoing costs are extremely low and the pellets used in the boilers are exceptionally cost effective.  Local councils are now also requesting that architects suggest the provision of biomass boilers within new business premises.

The various alternatives within the renewable energy market are increasing rapidly and the benefits gained, both financially and ecologically are considerably more sustainable than the current mainstream business energy.  These are major decisions which will affect your business for many years and the need for discussions with your energy broker is essential to establish the best way forward for your business.