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Energy bills get the chop

Banff butcher takes advantage of latest energy-saving technology

An award-winning butcher is enjoying reduced energy bills and is playing its part in tackling climate change after making a range of technology upgrades in its shop.

John Stewart Quality Butcher Ltd is a long-established butcher serving the local community and hospitality businesses in Banff, Aberdeenshire.

When Andy Grant took over the running of the business in 2017, he not only wanted to reduce operating costs. He was also set on reducing the shop’s carbon footprint.

For many retailers, lighting can account for as much as half of total electricity use, so it’s a great place to start making savings. Andy got straight to work upgrading the shop’s lighting to modern, energy-efficient LEDs and the change quickly reduced the shop’s energy consumption, spurring Andy on to find further savings for the business.

 

“If you want to reduce your business’s energy bill and carbon footprint, I recommend getting in touch with Business Energy Scotland.”

 

That’s when he got in touch with Business Energy Scotland.

Andy said: “I could have stopped at the LED lighting upgrade, but I want to support Scotland’s net-zero commitment and build a sustainable business so that we can continue to serve our customers with the highest-quality products for years to come.

“I got in touch with Business Energy Scotland for the expertise and financial support I needed to help me tackle the bigger projects.”

One of our experienced consultants worked with Andy and provided a detailed, impartial energy saving report that highlighted a trio of further changes that could be made. For each recommendation the report also provided estimated cost and carbon savings.

The first recommendation in Andy’s free report was to upgrade the shop’s ageing walk-in freezer and commercial chiller.

The energy efficiency of refrigeration equipment has improved dramatically in recent years due to advances in technology. By switching the shop’s older units with modern energy efficient alternatives, our advisor estimated the business would reduce annual energy use by 6,833 kWh. Saving an estimated £1,674 a year and cutting carbon emissions by 1.5 tonnes.

The second recommendation concerned the shop’s industrial mincer machine. Here again, upgrading to modern technology would deliver good savings. This time reducing energy use by an estimated 4,625 kWh, saving £1,133 a year and cutting carbon emissions by a further tonne.

A final recommendation was to install voltage optimisation equipment. Most businesses that use electrical equipment, such as compressors or refrigeration units, can use voltage optimisation to reduce the amount of electricity they use.

Voltage optimisers regulate the incoming power supply from the National Grid to optimum levels for equipment. Our advisor’s report estimated that voltage optimisation could reduce John Stewart Quality Butcher’s energy use by an estimated 2,630 kWh, saving an additional £1,125 a year and cutting carbon emissions by a further 0.6 tonnes.

In total, our advisor’s report identified estimated annual savings of £3,451 for the business. And over 3 tonnes of carbon savings.

Not one to mince his words, Andy has already started to implement our recommendations to make the cost and carbon savings.

With the help of the Scottish Government’s SME Loan Scheme, the shop is already benefitting from new refrigeration equipment and a modern industrial mincer, and there are plans to look at voltage optimisers in the near future. Andy said:

“Without Business Energy Scotland it would have taken our business much longer to make these changes. The whole process has been really smooth, and our advisor has been on hand to support us the whole way through. If you want to reduce your business’s energy bill and carbon footprint, I recommend getting in touch with Business Energy Scotland too.”

Help for your business

Business Energy Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to provide free, impartial support and access to funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises save energy, carbon and money

Whether you are just starting out on your energy-saving journey and need some pointers or are looking for expertise and funding to support your current plans, our team of experienced business advisors and energy-saving consultants are here to help. Get in touch today.