In 2019, the UK Government agreed to legally binding international targets to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, a target which needs significant and sustained action on energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction across every sector.
Having worked in the Environmental sector for the last 20 years, Tom Meney was formerly owner and Managing Director of Carbonzone Ltd, a professional environmental and business consultancy practice with a wide range of clients including SMEs, large enterprises, public sector and Government agencies. His consultancy work involved environmental compliance and audit, energy efficiency assessment and carbon accounting, risk management and management systems implementation.
Brief
Tom was instructed to undertake a detailed assessment of various site buildings to identify any fabric and energy efficiency improvement opportunities for the Client’s consideration and benefit.
This assessment also involved reviewing the mixed heating systems, lighting arrangements and controls on site, and outlining appropriate renewable heat/energy alternatives for the premises.
Approach
Initially, a detailed interview was undertaken with the Client to assess their business needs and objectives. Due to the extensive mix of building types and uses, Tom applied a flexible and open approach to consideration of bespoke solutions for each unit.
Production of an extensive and detailed report and recommendations on ten varied measures to improve energy efficiency, including fabric and building mechanical improvements, renewable heating solutions, lighting and controls upgrades and other energy efficiency measures. Alternative options were provided in some cases to offer choice to Client.
Annual operating savings identified totalled £10,500 (23% of total annual utility costs) with a 26.9% reduction in energy consumption and 22.7 tonnes of CO2 saved annually.
Key Challenges
The site was made up of an extensive mix of building types, ages and uses from; museum, workshop, staff canteen, training areas, offices, café and retail premises.
The main exhibition area was a vast, unheated traditional Victorian era industrial unit.
Results
The Client was delighted to accept the recommended measures and, as a result of the report, qualified for energy efficiency funding support for a range of recommended measures.
Savings generated from recommended measures were calculated to provide payback on the survey cost within 5 months, and to pay back the capital costs of the measures in under four and a half years.
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