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Go green and cut costs, businesses are urged
QUEEN Alexandra Cottage Homes is just one of 50 local businesses which has cut costs by going green.
The homes, which provide sheltered accommodation for older people in Eastbourne, received a free energy audit and were then successful in obtaining a grant of 1,000 from BETRE to carry out some of the work suggested.
They installed cavity wall insulation resulting in estimated annual savings of 950 and 8,170 kgs of carbon dioxide per year.
Graham Shuttleworth, executive of Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes, said, "The energy audit helped us identify how to improve our energy efficiency and cut our energy bills, whilst the grant of 1,000 enabled us to implement one of its key recommendations.
"The cavity wall insulation will cut our energy bills, improve the comfort of our residents and reduce our carbon footprint – a win all round."
The combined 50 businesses have identified savings of nearly 200,000 and more than 1,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide this year, by using a free service helping them to cut their energy bills and their carbon footprint.
East Sussex County Council has helped more than 50 businesses with:
• free energy audits,
• a report of key practical actions,
• grants to help pay for energy efficiency measures
• follow up support to help implement improvements.
Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said, "With energy bills spiralling in the last few years, and the Climate Change Levy increasing every year, businesses have a strong incentive to improve their energy efficiency.
"We have been working on this project to help local businesses cut their costs and have less impact on our environment.
"In the current financial climate, when businesses are struggling, this is one way of lowering the bottom line and increasing the chances of turning a profit.
"I would encourage other businesses to take up this chance of free help."
For further information contact Andy Arnold on andy.arnold@eastsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01273 481606.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Thursday 09 February 2012
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Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
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