Physio does energy fitness check on new premises

A physio clinic has gone from strength to strength after making energy efficiency changes to its new premises.

Extended opening hours and extra staff have been additional benefits for Perth Physio Clinic after saving thousands of pounds annually on the energy bills.

Clinical Director Gillian Martin said:

“We have saved on both gas and electricity with the building being more energy efficient.”

Perth Physio, which was established in 2014, moved into new premises that had previously been used as a church. The two semi-detached cottages dated back to around 1850 when they had been built to provide accommodation for railway workers.

The properties provided ample space for Jim and his team to operate the business, but refurbishment was needed to make the space work for them.

One of the cottages had been used as living quarters for the priest with the second converted to provide a large open plan worship area.

The residential cottage had a relatively new gas combi boiler to provide heating, but the communal area had electric heating with high running costs. The doors and windows were only single glazed and many were in poor condition.

Although there was some insulation in the roof, there was no insulation in the flat roof kitchen extension or under the suspended timber floors. Lighting throughout the properties was halogen pendant lighting and linear fluorescent.

Gillian contacted our team for advice on what could be done to ensure the premises were energy efficient. One of our experienced consultants visited and provided a free assessment with recommendations on the changes that could be made.

Perth Physio was advised to:

• Insulate the loft and floor areas.
• Install replacement double-glazed windows.
• Replace all fluorescent and halogen lighting with LED alternatives.
• Upgrade the heating system to allow it to heat both properties.

Gillian was told the changes would save around £3,300 a year on energy bills and reduce the carbon emissions by 3.1 tonnes. For an outlay of around £18,000, there would be a payback period of five and a half years.

She said:

“When we bought the new clinic, we needed advice and guidance to carry out the works needed. We made all the changes that were recommended. If we hadn’t done it, we would still be paying the higher costs and using more energy to warm our business.”

Gillian used an interest-free Scottish Government SME Loan and cashback grant to help cover most of the costs.

“We found this loan and grant a fantastic way of making all the changes needed in one go and having a way to pay for it over a longer period. The advice we received was excellent in helping us to reduce our energy demands. As a result, we were able to use the savings to add extra space to the clinic and we have been able to increase our clinic hours and have also taken on a new member of staff.” – Gillian Martin, Clinical Director