UK and Irish Energy Audits
Cost Effective Improvements for Energy Efficiency in Business
Energy Audits are becoming increasingly essential to sustainable and effective businesses. In 2024, the EU’s energy import bill was €427 billion with costs in energy-intensive sectors reaching up to 10% of total business expenditure. Additionally, energy use is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions with energy use in industry, transport and in buildings making up over half of global emissions. With ongoing political tensions, unpredictable climate pressures, changes in supply and demand of fuels all contributing to fluctuations in energy availability and costs, it is becoming increasingly valuable to use energy as efficiently as possible.
Energy auditing has been used for decades as a tool to help businesses cut unnecessary costs while complying with legislation, lowering company emissions and closing in on sustainability targets. To make this accessible to more companies, EU countries have created grant programs to make energy audits available at incredibly low costs. But what does an energy audit entail and how does it work?
Energy Audits – The Basics
Energy audits improve business cost efficiency and environmental impact through the comprehensive analysis of energy use across an organization’s operations. From changing lightbulbs to implementing renewable energy, energy audits help you make informed decisions and impart numerous opportunities for your business such as the following:
- Lower your operational costs by improving your company’s energy efficiency
- Identify potential costs and savings in advance of major investments
- Understand your energy use across all operations
- Gain a competitive advantage in reporting and meeting compliance requirements (ESG requirements, ISO 50001, CSRD etc.)
- Advance your sustainability strategy towards reducing your carbon footprint
Types of Energy Audits
There are several basic types of energy audits that can be tailored based on a company’s investment level and need. With an appropriate and structured energy management approach, companies have the potential to save up to 20% off their energy bill.
- Level 1 – Walk Through inspections are ideal for small businesses who want insight into quick energy saving actions. In this case, an inspector quickly identifies energy saving measures that can be implemented at low costs.
- Level 2 – Targeted Energy Survey and Analysis audits entail a detailed inspection of system utilities, bills and potential upgrades for small-medium businesses interested in actionable insights and fundamental financial analysis.
- Level 3 – Investment Grade audits give comprehensive insight through analysis and precise energy modelling as well as cost to benefit analysis. These audits typically are carried out in large multi-location facilities looking to make significant improvements in their efficiency.
Energy Audit Grant Programs
Becoming more energy efficient can also come at very low costs. In fact, there are numerous EU grant schemes open for applications that cover up to 100% of the costs of energy audits. So not only does your company get to save money, lower emissions and reach climate goals, these benefits can come at no cost to your business! As qualified and experienced consultants, Carbon Complete is prepared to help you find grants and unlock the benefits energy auditing has to offer you and your company. How do you know if you qualify for energy audit grants? In the UK and Ireland, the guidelines are as follows:
- SMEs comprising of under 250 people OR annual turnover of less than 50 million euro and balance sheet less than 43 million
- Must demonstrate need of energy use improvement
- Tax compliant in the country of the grant program
Need Assistance Becoming More Energy Efficient?
With European commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050, it will become increasingly important for EU businesses to improve energy efficiency and invest in clean energy. At Carbon Complete, we are committed to helping businesses make informed decisions in sustainability and go beyond mere compliance with regulations, gaining your company a competitive advantage. We are prepared to help you from start to finish; secure funding, conduct audits, report findings and help you begin your journey to complete energy efficiency.
