Almost a third of firms do not see the value in energy saving measures

31/01/2012

Almost a third of companies do not feel that installing energy saving measures is worth the initial investment.

New research published by global engineering and technology services firm Siemens shows that 30 per cent of company directors are unconvinced of the potential return on investment an energy refit can provide.

This is despite evidence which suggests that some firms start to receive a payback within less than two years.

The survey, which had 600 respondents, found that 70 per cent of firms are planning to implement some level of energy saving in the next  three years but also highlighted a lack of focus by many board members.

Indeed, more than a quarter (27 per cent) said that they had no idea what tariff they are on, while just under a fifth (18 per cent) admitted to not knowing the details of their firm’s energy saving measures over the next three years.

"These results do give cause for concern," Juergen Maier, managing director of Siemens Industry Sector in the UK and Ireland, said.

"Not only is the UK subject to strict legislative carbon reduction targets, but many businesses are neglecting the impact that effective energy management can have on the bottom line."

However, he added: "It is important to note that the research does highlight evidence of good work being done by companies of all sizes across all sectors, but the overriding message is the need to do so much more. Now is the time for action.”

The Carbon Trust recently stated that installing energy efficient lighting could save UK business a collective sum as high as £700 million a year.

The suggestion comes at a time when the same organisations are reporting than many firms annual energy budgets are quite literally going up in thin air thanks to them using inefficient air compressors.

Posted by Richard Smart