Member Article

Go Green In 2016

As New Year resolutions go, saving the planet must be one of the most important, so is 2016 the year your business will go green?

According to leading regional installer, Yorkshire Heat Pumps, going green is much more achievable than many other well-meaning seasonal intentions. And it makes sound business sense.

Said Michael Wright, md of the Blubberhouses-based business: “There are lots of things we can all do to run a more eco-friendly business. Some have become second nature, like recycling, for example, while, others should be top of the list when you are planning to upgrade your business property and make savings on heating bills long term.”

Here are Michael’s top tips for boosting your green credentials into 2016 and beyond:

• Switch to renewable energy for your heating and you could be eligible for the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive payback scheme. This gives you quarterly payments over 20 years for every kW hour of renewable energy you generate to heat your business premises. Many people recoup the cost of the installation within just a few years then reap the benefits from what becomes a new funding stream. Choose from ground or air source heat pumps and biomass boilers for heating and solar thermal panels for your hot water. The type of premises you’re in and your location will dictate which is the most appropriate for your business. But act sooner rather than later as the tariffs paid for each technology are reviewed each quarter and may be going down again on April 1st.

• Think creatively – could you re-use the heat from some areas of your operations elsewhere? Heat recovery systems make sure no precious energy goes to waste.

• Use technology to control your energy use. Simple smartphone apps work with your premises’ utilities so you can control lighting and heating remotely from a mobile phone or tablet. This can be particularly handy during holiday closures and can help ensure your staff return to a warm workplace.

• Make sure you switch to energy saving light bulbs. These no longer deliver a dull light and can be as bright as you like. With this simple change annual savings can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds in larger offices.

• Audit your office premises to ensure your insulation is up to scratch in loft spaces and around your hot water cylinder and pipework – then you can turn the thermostat down by a degree without affecting comfortable working conditions .

Yorkshire Heat Pumps supplies and installs ground and air source heat pumps and biomass boilers from its Blubberhouses base. Run by Michael and Kate Wright, the company prides itself on the quality of its installations and unparalleled customer service and care.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Michael Wright Kitchens and Interiors .