Keep warm this winter with an Energy-Efficiency Loan from the Carbon Trust
May 23, 2007
Author:

PRESS RELEASE

Business managers have to work hard to keep expenses down and one relatively easy way is to reduce energy costs. Having said that it’s not that simple to switch off the heating during the winter whilst expecting employees to work efficiently without some cooling during summer. Along with suggestions for wearing extra thick jumpers when its cold and wet tee shirts on a hot day, managers should consider replacing outdated gas boilers for a more energy efficient model or install a system that cools as well as heats. The normal response to this kind of proposal is ‘it will cost too much money to buy the equipment.’ Well not anymore.
Thanks to a government initiative, small to medium size business can obtain funding for new energy efficient equipment by way of an unsecured interest free loan courtesy of the Carbon Trust.

The Carbon Trust is an independent organization funded by the government using tax collected through the climate change levy. This cash – some of which will be yours – is being loaned back to qualifying company’s interest free and without any setup charges or hidden costs. The Carbon Trust is employed to administer the scheme and with a brief to help businesses in the public and private sector within the UK to reduce their carbon emissions. In a recent article finance director, Rosemary Boot, said they were set up to take a lead in developing a UK low carbon technology industry. Part of the agreement with government when the climate change levy was introduced was that some of the money should go back to organisations to help them reduce their carbon emissions, and invest in early-stage technology that would help them reduce the amount of levy they would have to pay. Defra the government’s department for environment, food and rural affairs, funds the trust from the climate change levy to the tune of £50 million a year, with additional money now coming from the landfill tax. In future, it will also receive funds from the department of trade and industry.

The energy-efficiency loans provided by the Carbon Trust can be used to replace or upgrade existing equipment with more energy efficient systems and repaid using the savings made on lower energy operating costs. From an environmental perspective, it's an effective way for business to cut carbon emissions and, in turn, combat climate change. Small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in England and Scotland, or most businesses in Wales that have been trading for at least 12 months, could borrow from £5,000 to £100,000. It is unsecured, interest free and repayable over a period of up to 4 years. There are no arrangement fees and applying is straightforward. So if you are planning to upgrade or install new heating and cooling systems now will be an excellent time. There are a couple of catches and these apply to certain categories of business namely – agriculture, fisheries, and transport also, export related activities, which are not classed as eligible to apply for the loans..

Towcester based Air Conditioning Solutions (UK) Ltd have been working in partnership with the Carbon Trust advising businesses how they can apply for loans. An information pack can be obtained containing all the necessary forms together with a quick eligibility checklist. John Harvey, Director at Air Conditioning Solutions, said they have already helped a number of customers with their applications providing the necessary energy calculations showing the savings that can be made using their equipment and justifying the loan. If readers are interested in finding out more they should visit the Carbon Trust website www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy and download information. Or telephone the Carbon Trust helpline on 0800 085 2005.
For assistance with applying for a loan and completing the application for air conditioning to be used for heating in winter and cooling during the summer, readers can contact David Raven at Air Conditioning Solutions on 01327 810 510 or email info@airconsolutions.co.uk with details of your requirements.