Company launched to help Cornish businesses go green and save money

Businesses in Cornwall will be able to enjoy easy access to an extensive range of services and products to improve their energy efficiency and reduce operating costs following the launch of a ‘one-stop-shop’ for environmental business solutions. Low Carbon Futures is the subsidiary trading arm of Community Energy Plus, Cornwall’s award winning sustainable energy charity that has been promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as working to reduce fuel poverty, for more than 10 years. Combining the expertise of carbon reduction and renewable energy professionals working within the charity with a carefully selected group of environmental consultants and technology suppliers, Low Carbon Futures will offer local businesses a comprehensive range of services and products to help them use resources more efficiently and reduce their carbon footprint. Joining the Low Carbon Futures team and invited guests at the launch on Thursday (December 3, 2009) was television presenter and eco-champion Dick Strawbridge. Speaking at the launch he said: “Times are tough for business and working with Low Carbon Futures gives companies a real opportunity to tackle the money they’re wasting on energy bills. Those savings can make the difference between surviving and going under during the current economic climate.” Ken Shaw, Managing Director of Low Carbon Futures explained: “Many businesses have a desire to reduce their carbon footprint and save money by becoming more resource efficient but getting to grips with which options are right for their specific circumstances can be confusing. Low Carbon Futures has been created to offer a one-stop-shop for environmental business solutions and we look forward to playing an important role in helping to reduce the carbon footprint of Cornwall while enabling local businesses to become more profitable.” Through a strategic network of suppliers, Low Carbon Futures can offer a range of energy efficient products which can typically reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent; helping businesses to reduce their carbon footprint while making significant cost savings. High growth-oriented small and medium sized businesses in Cornwall can be eligible to receive help with up to 75 per cent of the costs of Low Carbon Futures energy management support through Business Link. Martin Woods, Business Link’s Convergence Environmental Team Leader said: “There’s a very strong financial as well as environmental case for businesses to become more resource efficient and as Cornwall’s business advisory service we’re keen to make sure that local companies are able to access the best advice and products to help their businesses prosper. We look forward to working with Low Carbon Futures to help local companies adopt more carbon-efficient ‘greener’ practices and save money in the process.” From low cost options such as low energy lighting and insulation through to intelligent technology to make heating systems more efficient as well as energy generation devices, Low Carbon Futures will guide businesses through the process of becoming greener and saving money. Low Carbon Futures offers a diverse range of carbon and cost cutting services including energy audits, commercial energy performance certificates, environmental management programmes and can also provide mentoring for businesses to manage their environmental impact - evidence of which is increasingly being requested for supply chain management and contract tenders. Rising energy and waste prices are an issue that every business will have become increasingly aware of in the last five years and with predictions by the energy regulator Ofgem that energy prices could surge by more than 60 per cent by 2016, there’s never been a better time for businesses to look at ways of reducing their energy consumption. A local business that has already seen the financial benefits of using Low Carbon Future’s services is the South West based insurance company Cornish Mutual. After installing a Smart Meter on the recommendation of Low Carbon Futures the business was able to analyse energy consumption data which showed excessive electricity usage over the weekend while its head office was closed. Some simple adjustments to their heating controls enabled the company to save 25 percent on their weekend energy consumption. Alan Goddard, Managing Director of Cornish Mutual said: “The data provided by the Smart Meter has enabled us to make significant savings on our energy consumption and really demonstrates how easy it can be to take some simple steps to improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs.” For more information about Low Carbon Futures visit www.lowcarbonfutures.com or call 01209 614979.

Posted 17th Dec 2009  by member Low Carbon Futures