4 ways we saved 40% on our client's utility bills

Last year we blogged to report the work we had carried out for our clients CCC in Bristol, there have been some significant results since that time showing that their investment has been a real success. The work undertaken can be split into 4 main areas.

1. Reduced heat loss and stresses on the heating system by;

• Insulating the front facing void beneath the ground floor, and,
• Draft proofing the timber doors

    2.   Improved gas efficiency with;

• A replacement, highly efficient, Viessman gas boiler,
• A new external weather compensation unit, and,
• Thermostatic radiator valves installed to each of the building's radiators.

    3.   Reduced solar gain via;

• The installation of window film to the South facing windows and and roof lights.

    4.   Reduced electricity consumption by;

• Replacing a number of the high energy light fittings and lamps with low energy alternatives, and,
• Installing a V-Phase unit to optimise voltage.

The below table shows how in the 4th quarter of 2011, these services had a huge affect on the money spent by CCC on gas and electricity in comparison to the same period in 2010.

So looking back at our predictions for CCC in the original blogpost:

"We estimate that the result of our installations will be an annual saving of 30% on CCC's electricity bills and 40% on their gas bills. With energy bills set to rise significantly in the near future, these savings will be further exaggerated - allowing CCC to benefit from a annually rising return on the investment they have made in their property.  We expect to see a reduction in the company's annual carbon output of over 4 tonnes."

Whilst the electricity savings have not been as pronounced as we would have liked, the quarter represents a period where lighting would be used more extensively than in other parts of the year, similarly the gas savings are somewhat enhanced by the milder weather of December 2011 - but that only accounts for one part of the quarterly saving.  Most staggeringly we have reduced the annual CO2 footprint of the building by nearly 5 tonnes, smashing our yearly estimate.

All in all it is a fantastic result for Norman Envrionmental and CCC who have written to us to tell us what a "a very worthwhile exercise both environmentally and economically" the project has been for them.  We will continue to monitor and report on the results in this blog.

So if you think that your home or business premises could benefit from an energy survey, then get in touch via email, visit our website, or just comment below.

Backing the Underdog

Tesco are without doubt one of the UK's most impressive companies. Since the late 90's they have grown massively, starting with their implementation of 'extra' stores which seem to sell almost everything, then moving into local market with their 'metro' stores and more recently they are challenging the likes of Argos with their own catalogue offering.

Near Cardiff in South Wales is a village called Dinas Powys and about 3 miles away from Dinas is a large Tesco superstore in Penarth. It is the main supermarket serving the area and as far as we are aware, is always very busy - in fairness it is a very good store in a handy location for the Vale and even Cardiff Bay.

Dinas Powys has a population of around 9,000 but has a definite village 'feel' to it, mostly because it is served mostly by amenities in the surrounding towns of Penarth and Barry, with access to the city of Cardiff - but also due to the village green, or Twyn as it is locally known.

Valey View Fruit Stores, serving Dinas Powys with distinction

Within Dinas Powys is a local grocers' shop, Valley View Fruit Stores, owned by Tony and Janice Mapstone. The Mapstones have owned the shop for over 15 years and happily serve the local people with fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned goods and other groceries - as well as flowers, plants, pet food and accessories.  Only two doors down is a small Spar convenience store which trades symbiotically with the Mapstones' grocery offerings, but at the other end of the block is a large dilapidated public house of which Tesco are now the proud owners.

There is little or nothing that a local Tesco store has to offer that is not already available at Valley View Fruit Stores or the local Spar, both of which are within 100 yards of the proposed store. It begs the question, why were Tesco given permission to open such a store on this street? And what are Tesco trying to achieve by moving into the area? It's not like they don't already have a local presence, or even that they need the business. It seems that their presence will impact negatively on two businesses, owned by local people, that have served the local area successfully for years; without even bringing a discernible benefit to the local people.

Norman Environmental are not against company expansion or growth, far from it. On the other hand we firmly believe that to help the country out of recession small businesses need to be protected from the might of supermarket giants. There will be follow up blogs as the story unfolds, but we're rooting for the 'little guy'.

What do you think of the common practice of large supermarkets moving in on the territory of traditional 'local' shops? Is it the cut and thrust of fair business competition? Or should local council and government protect their constituents from big business? Let us know what you think.

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