HEADNOTE
In her second article in a series on enhanced capital allowances available under the Climate Change Levy, Dr Rebecca Hawkins FHCIMA explains where to look for help to make lighting schemes more efficient
One of the most cost-effective energy saving technologies that is relevant to all hospitality businesses is energy efficient lighting. For small businesses, lighting may account for as much as 30% of total electricity costs and energy efficient lighting can reduce these by anything from 50 to 80%.
In other words, if the present annual electricity bill is 10,000, the lighting element of which is 3,000, the annual savings could be as much as 2,400.
The good news is that financial incentives are available to help small businesses change their lighting systems to an energy efficientalternative, thus subsidising investment in cost reducing technologies.
A word of caution before your business invests in energy efficient lighting technologies: while funding is available for ad hoc investments in energy-efficient light-bulbs, this may not be the most energy-efficient solution for your business and - if the wrong type of lamps are chosen - you could end up with gloomy rooms and dissatisfied customers.
