The event hosted by Green Light North London (an organisation part funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund) included a morning of various talks and useful information on financing and implementing the installation of the latest energy efficient equipment for your business or indeed home.
Green is the word!
A blustery overcast summer’s morning bought us to the heart of the city to attend this event. We were greeted by the friendly Green Light North London team by a warm cup of coffee and the all-important free pastries that headed the Agenda of the morning gathering.
Feeling refreshed and satiated we sat down for the first presentation lead by Richard Mcguire HMRC. Richard’s informative and friendly presentation detailed the capital allowances available for businesses.
The light hearted approach and the low key presentation really made the information on renewable energy tax claims approachable and very understandable. Richard provided useful, valuable information for the various businesses in attendance hoping to finance their future eco projects.
Highlighted, was the fact that businesses are entitled to 100% tax claim on all their expenditures to improve energy efficiency through capital allowance. The main impetus being the fact that tax breaks disappear relatively quickly. Indeed in a few years’ time these tax measures on energy efficiency may not be in place anymore.
Next up on the podium was Darren Riva, head of green Finance for Siemens financial services. A more detailed Powerpoint accompanied Darren Riva’s explanation of the financing available through the Siemens Financial Services in partnership with the Carbon Trust, available to any size business investing in energy efficient equipment including lighting, heat pumps, solar pv and solar thermal.
Following up the two finance talks, with big boots to fill, was Emma Bushell, enthusiastic self-proclaimed “Energy geek” from the Islington Council. Emma very helpfully provided useful Tips and Tricks on How to improve energy efficiency in your home and business.
Useful tips included: Looking at your bills, reading your meter (especially night usage) to try and avoid extra costs. Three particular areas were highlighted:
- Heating : different systems exist to adapt to different environments, heat pumps are very efficient and effective way to save on heating (and also cooling).
-Lighting: Are the lights you have adapted to the environment you are in? Do you for example have lights that turn off automatically in your bathrooms? LED lights seem to be the way forward,enabling you to save a whopping 70% on lighting and electricity costs. They are also much cheaper nowadays than they were a few years ago.
-ICT equipment : Handy tips included using laptops instead of PCs to save an incredible amount of energy. (You are also more likely to turn them off at night as opposed to PCs that tend to be left on all the time!) Put your printer near a window, to avoid giving off too much heat.
A flurry of questions then ensued from the captivated audience: where should I get my LEDs? Should I trust cheaper ones? What is the best way to heat my new business if I only have an electricity supply? All of course, answered effectively by confident Emma. (Who buys her LEDs on the internet incidentally!)
A networking session enabled the very few remaining pastries to be gobbled up by the attendees. I also took the opportunity to grab my flip Cam and talk to some of the speakers. (videos to come!)
Rob Richier, a local pub owner gave me two minutes of his time to tell me about his new green project. He came to the talk to hopefully bring to fruition his new energy efficient plan to convert his pub. We look forward to a cool energy efficient pint!
By Poppy Image