Over the last year or so, we have seen an encouraging movement beginning within the farming community.

Farmers are installing solar PV, wind and CHP (Combined Heat and Power) units on their farms to generate electricity to meet their power needs. It’s not unique or ground-breaking; many businesses are turning to renewable energy to provide stability.

But, we are working with several farms who have a clear vision about what to do with the excess energy and hot water they are creating.

The idea is simple. They are supplying the excess green energy and hot water generated to their local communities. Residents can buy the excess energy, at much more affordable prices than is available from energy suppliers.

One of our farmers said:

‘It’s not about making money. It’s about offering a green alternative to those who live nearby, at prices that simply cover our costs.”

Adding solar PV to the roof of a farm building is an excellent utilisation of, otherwise, dead space. It’s certainly a better option than covering valuable farming land with solar panels.

We’re here to help

Interested in learning more about the power of farmers? We can advise, design, install, maintain and service your energy solution.

Contact us on 01733 595150 if you need advice or support, or would like to book a meeting to discuss things further.

Improve your EPC rating

If you are a landlord of residential or commercial properties with EPC ratings below C, you could be in for a painful shock over the next few years. Now is the time to become a green landlord!

Some mortgage lenders are already giving preferential interest rates to green landlords whose properties have an A and B EPC ratings and, in some cases, C rated properties. Older, unimproved and less green properties may be penalised which could have a serious impact on your property and any profit. The value of older housing and industrial stock is likely to be affected as a result if action isn’t taken.

So, how can you improve your EPC rating to ensure your interest rates are more favourable?

Insulation

Without doubt, insulation is a prime point to consider and it doesn’t need to be costly. Efficient insulation, which includes glazed windows, will help to reduce heat loss. Heat loss prevention is just as important as the heating or energy used within a building or property.

Green energy solutions

Where possible, move away from fossil fuels, such as oil. Even if your property is rural, oil is not your only energy choice. Solar PV (including battery storage), Air Sourced Heat Pumps (ASHP) and Biomass all provide a cleaner and more sustainable option.

Where usage is high, a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit offers an excellent solution to produce electricity and substantial levels of hot water. Gas is used to power CHP units, although most of our units are Hydrogen-ready. CHP is a particularly good solution for hotels, industrial processes and cleaning.

We’re here to help

Become a green landlord. Improve your EPC rating and secure the most favourable interest rates. We are working hard to support businesses to decarbonise. We can advise, design, install, maintain and service your energy solution.

Contact us on 01733 595150 if you need advice or support, or would like to book a meeting to discuss things further.

When should you service your commercial heating system?

Is there a right time to service your business’s heating system to keep it in tip-top condition? We typically start to think about our heating system as we approach the cooler seasons, so around autumn or when we’re on the brink of winter. Often it’s when you’re getting ready to turn the heating system on for the first time in months.

But, the best time to service your commercial heating system is during the spring or summer months when it’s most inactive. Why? The reason an athlete takes the time to warm up before a race is to get their body ready for running a marathon (or even simply a 5K!). Warming up reduces the risk of injury and enhances their performance. In a way, by servicing a heating system every spring or summer ensures it can run at its optimum level without fault when you need it the most.

When you flick the switch to turn the heating on for the first time in the cooler seasons, after months of inactivity, it can struggle to get going. It needs its coffee to kick-start it!

The annual servicing of heat pumps, biomass, CHP, gas and electrical solutions can help generate greater savings by maintaining their efficiency.

What does an annual servicing plan include?

A standard annual servicing plan typically includes the following elements (depending on the heating solution installed):

• Full inspection of components
• Settings & reports check
• Brine testing
• Expansion vessel check
• Filter clean
• Pipe insulation check
• DHW check
• Sentinel inhibitor top-up
• Sensor calibration
• Outdoor fan unit clean

Keep your heating system running smoothly

Our highly skilled engineers can keep your heating system in tip-top condition. Contact us on 01733 595150 to book an appointment with an engineer.

You may be at the point where you’re considering replacing your commercial heating system. We can advise, design, install, maintain and service your solution. We are experts in both renewable and fossil energy solutions.

What is a solar carport?

A solar carport is a steel structure that provides shelter for vehicles at the same time as generating clean renewable energy from the sun. The energy generated can be used in place of, or in conjunction with, traditional energy used onsite. There is an option to add electric vehicle (EV) charge points so that any EVs can be charged whilst they are parked.

Solar carports can be installed as complete units in their own right, or by installing a roof-mounted solar PV system onto an existing roof space.

Are solar carports aesthetically pleasing?

As you would expect with any solar PV system, the carport would need to be positioned to ensure it receives the strongest sunlight. The great thing about solar carports is that they can be designed to fit into the natural surroundings of your business.

A solar carport’s added benefit is that it creates a great parking experience by protecting your staff, visitors and their vehicles from the elements, while generating green energy.

So as well as being functional, yes, they can be aesthetically pleasing!

A managed solution

When managing the installation of a solar carport, we will manage the project from start to finish. This will include the planning, foundation works, and construction, through to the installation of the PV components and connection to the grid.

As solar carports grow in their popularity, the technology behind it improves. Today, a solar carport is a turnkey construction, making it a fast solution to design and install.

Typically, we also carry out the servicing and maintenance of your solar carport to ensure it continues to run as it should.

Make a sustainability statement

If you’re considering investing in a solar carport, you can choose from a dual parking space right through to an entire commercial carpark. Obviously, the size you choose will impact the financial outlay and associated solar return on investment; the bigger the carport, the greater the investment, but the greater the sustainable rewards.

Regardless of the option you decide is best for your company and/or budget, you will still visibly make a sustainability statement which can help improve corporate reputation.

What is the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)?

The good news is that eligible businesses can apply for support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) charge points through the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).

The WCS is run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and administered by the DVLA. Businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can apply for the voucher-based scheme so long as the system is installed by an OLEV-approved installer.

There is also a grant for state-funded education institutes to provide support towards the costs of the purchase, installation and infrastructure of electric vehicle chargepoints.

CP42 certification is a legal requirement for all commercial kitchens. The gas safety certificate verifies that your kitchen’s gas equipment is safely installed and safe to use. If you’re running a commercial kitchen in any type of establishment, you are legally required to have your gas appliances tested and serviced annually, as part of the CP42 certification.

Does my business need CP42 certification?

If you’re running a business with a commercial kitchen that includes one or more gas appliance, you will need CP42 certification. The types of businesses/organisations include:

• Restaurants, hotels, cafes and clubs
• Fast food/takeaway establishments
• Education settings
• Caterers (with mobile or fixed kitchens)
• All private and public sector, and government kitchens

What are the legal requirements for CP42 certification?

Any commercial kitchen (fixed or mobile), with gas appliances, must hold a valid Gas Safety CP42 certificate. Businesses delivering services to groups or individuals are responsible for ensuring the annual inspection and certification of gas appliances.

If you don’t hold a valid CP42, your insurance can be invalidated; you can also be jailed for up to six months and fined up to £6,000. If there is an incident resulting in the death of another person, you can be held accountable and charged for manslaughter.

How long is a CP42 certificate valid?

Much like an MOT, the CP42 certificate is valid for 12 months, from the issue date. As such, an annual inspection is required. It is important to keep the certificate safe as your insurance company may require a copy. An insurance claim may be denied if you don’t have a valid certificate.

How much is a CP42 certificate?

Commercial kitchen gas safety certificates usually cost between £200-£300 (ex VAT) depending on the size of the kitchen and how much gas equipment is installed. The cost may be higher for larger kitchens.

How do you get a CP42 inspection and certificate?

Gas Safe registered engineers, such as NRES, will inspect all commercial kitchen equipment and machinery connected to a gas supply. They will check your gas appliance, related pipework, interlock systems and extraction system. Assuming no issues are identified, your engineer will issue the CP42 certificate. Any issues that are identified during the inspection, however, must be resolved immediately. Once the issues have been resolved, your engineer will issue the certificate.