Thinking of going green but not sure where to start? Svenja from Living Wage employer Sustainable Business Partnership CIC has created this blog post all about their funded Utilise Plus programme, designed to help businesses save energy.
Everyone wants to do their bit to stop climate change but it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why, when the Sustainable Business Partnership CIC developed the Utilise Plus programme, we wanted to offer various services that help businesses to save energy no matter where they are on their sustainability journeys. Whether you’re keen to learn more at one of our free events, want to identify smart solutions for your organisation with a fully-funded energy audit, or want to take action with a grant-funded energy-saving installation, the Utilise Plus programme has something for everyone.
Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Utilise Plus has already supported hundreds of small and medium sized enterprises throughout Sussex since launching in late 2017. That’s 72 grants awarded, 26 energy audits delivered, and 29 learning and networking events held. Utilise Plus will run until the end of September 2019 so make the most of this funding while it lasts – use it or lose it! Take Arch-Angel Architects, based in Brighton, who had an energy audit in 2018. The audit was free of charge to Arch-Angel thanks to the Utilise Plus programme. An Energy Assessor visited their business premises, surveyed how energy was used, and put together an audit report. In the report, Arch-Angel received a comprehensive list of recommendations for how they could reduce their energy use, with each recommendation clearly outlining the predicted energy and cost savings it would achieve as well as trusted, local suppliers who could carry out the work.
If you’re further along in your energy-saving journey then a grant could be what you’re looking for. Funplex – a children’s indoor play centre in Brighton – received a grant of just over £1,000 to cover one-third of the cost of their LED lighting installation. This meant that Funplex only paid £2,000 and will save over £1,000 each year on their energy bills. Thanks to Utilise Plus, the installation will have paid for itself by the end of 2019.
Whichever stage your organisation is at, get in touch with the Sustainable Business Partnership CIC and see how the Utilise Plus programme can help you. Saving energy is not only good for your organisation’s cash flow but also good for the environment – win-win! Just make sure you act fast while this free support is still available!
Visit: www.sustainablebusiness.org.uk
Call: 01273 964239
Email: info@sustainablebusiness.org.uk
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