Check your electricity meter for savings

Larger organisations using half-hourly electricity meters could be wasting thousands of pounds on their meter rental charges, warns energy management business Utility Auditing.

Previously, customers had to use their local meter operator because there was no other choice, but since the market was relaxed, they have been able to shop around for a new supplier - typically saving 50% per year.

"Organisations are paying up to GBP600 per year to lease a single half-hourly meter, says Jeff Wealands, Technical Director for Utility Auditing .

"We can usually halve the cost of the lease, so that over a ten-year contract and with multiple meters, the savings can run into thousands of pounds".

Adds Wealands: "The other cost-cutting option we sometimes recommend is to buy the meter outright and arrange a separate maintenance contract, which can deliver even higher savings".

Utility Auditing, which is part of the Ener-g group of companies, buys GBP175 million worth of energy on behalf of UK business each year and can use its national purchasing power and expertise to negotiate competitive contract rates on gas and electricity.

By monitoring the markets, Utility Auditing can minimise exposure to the risks of buying in a highly volatile commodity market to ensure customers buy energy at the most advantageous time and price.

It is estimated that companies are wasting around one fifth of all their energy and, under the Carbon Trust programme, Utility Auditing can provide free on-site energy efficiency surveys for eligible organisations, as well as helping them to implement recommendations.

Companies doing so are typically saving 10 to 20% on their energy bills, with minimal investment.

Organisation can also make use of Enhanced Capital Allowances and gain access to 0% interest Carbon Trust loans of up to GBP100,000 to help implement energy efficiency measures.

For further details contact Utility Auditing.

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