Self‑catering holiday accommodation Greenhead Lodge sits in the heart of rural southwest Scotland, perched above the Cairn River valley and only six miles from Dumfries. Once a working barn, it was converted in the early 2000s into a cosy 4‑bedroom lodge spread over 1.5 storeys, with a neighbouring building housing a utility room, games room and sauna.
It’s a peaceful spot for guests – but for owner Allan, it’s also a lot of space to heat and power. So, when energy prices started to rise, Allan contacted Business Energy Scotland for advice. He wanted to understand what could be done to reduce running costs without compromising comfort for guests.
“Working with Business Energy Scotland was straightforward and helpful.”
Our team quickly identified the oil‑fired system as the biggest challenge. An upgrade to an air source heat pump was one option, offering around £650 a year in savings. But given the lodge’s generous outdoor space, our experts recommended going a step further and installing a ground source heat pump.
While ground source heat pumps can be used with a deep vertical borehole, they are more cost-effective for businesses that have a reasonable area of outside space and are often used in rural locations. In Greenhead Lodge’s case, this upgrade was a better option and would save over £800 a year on heating costs.
We also highlighted the benefits of adding a solar PV array with battery storage. This would unlock a further £500 in annual savings and give the business more control over its energy use.
Together, these upgrades would cut Greenhead Lodge’s carbon footprint by 6.7 tonnes of carbon each year.
Armed with clear recommendations and projected savings, Allan applied for financial support through the Scottish Government’s SME Loan Scheme. With a combination of loan funding and a cashback grant, he was able to install the ground source heat pump – an investment with a payback period of just over five years.
Allan also decided to go ahead with the solar PV and battery storage recommendation.
With the ground source heat pump, solar panels and battery system now all in place, Greenhead Lodge is running on 100% renewable energy – generating most of its power on-site and topping up in the winter months with a green energy tariff.
Reflecting on the process, Allan said:
“Working with Business Energy Scotland was straightforward and helpful. The assessment highlighted options I wouldn’t have considered on my own, and the support through the SME Loan Scheme made the upgrades achievable much sooner than I expected. The lodge is now warmer, greener and more affordable to run.”
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