Created: 20th April, 2023
Tom joined Barker in 2020. He is a Partner based in our London office. Tom has over 15 years of experience in the built environment offering strategic and technical advice to a wide variety of clients across the UK.
Highly experienced in strategic estates advisory services, project management, estates planning, decarbonisation, net carbon zero strategy and funding solutions.
Tom’s key focus is to support Barker’s clients as they transform their estates and decarbonise. He works across the education and public sectors and advises a number of sector bodies on estates management and energy reduction best practice.
Email: tdeacon@barker-associates.co.uk
Tel: 0203 9127812
Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important in the current climate due to fluctuating energy prices and sustainability targets meaning organisations must look for ways to reduce their energy consumption and save money. Improving energy efficiency also helps to reduce the impact organisations have on the environment, which can in turn improve their reputations within the community By investing in energy-efficient measures, organisations can reap a number of benefits.
However, many are struggling to figure out how to become more energy efficient. With limited knowledge, organisations are often worried that they will make the wrong decisions and end up spending money on ineffective solutions. They are also concernsabout how to measure the success of efforts, as well as how sustainable changes will last over time. It’s key to have access to reliable information and guidance to help them make the best decisions for their energy efficiency initiatives.
It’s advisable for all schools and commercial buildings to have an energy audit and work with an energy efficiency consultant to ensure they’re making the best decisions moving forward. Below we have explored energy audits, their benefits and how they can be used to help improve the energy efficiency of estates.
Often referred to as energy efficiency surveys, energy audits are designed to analyse the energy usage of an estate to determine ways to reduce energy consumption and energy costs. An energy audit typically includes an inspection of each site to collect energy usage data and assess things such as; inefficient energy habits, when energy consumption is at its highest and which systems are contributing to inefficiency. This enables opportunities for energy improvements to be identified and tailored recommendations to be made.
At Barker, we offer comprehensive energy audits with our team of energy efficiency consultants providing a better understanding of your energy consumption and suggest ways to improve energy efficiency.
Knowledge is a powerful tool when it comes to energy efficiency. The insight an energy audit provides can help you to make informed decisions about which changes to make to save energy and money. Some of the key benefits of an energy audit for organisations, regardless of sector, include the following:
One of the main reasons why all schools and commercial buildings should have an energy audit is to ensure they’re investing in the most cost-effective energy improvements. The information provided in an energy audit can help to ensure you’re making changes that reduce the estate’s energy bills and overall operating costs.
Although there are up-front costs associated with conducting energy audits, the return on investment for any energy-saving measures implemented can be impressive. Making the right changes can not only help to reduce costs, but potentially make money in the long run.
Effective energy-saving improvements can help the organisation to become more sustainable and reduce its environmental impact. As touched on above, this can have a positive impact on your reputation as you are taking responsibility and being proactive about improving your carbon footprint.
Many organisations have carbon reduction targets but lack clear data on where emissions originate. An energy efficiency audit provides the evidence needed to develop realistic decarbonisation strategies, helping organisations identify the most impactful measures and create a practical roadmap towards net zero.
By providing an overview of an organisation’s energy usage, an energy audit can be used to create an effective energy strategy. When you understand how energy is currently being used, it’s much easier to develop an effective plan to reduce energy waste and improve energy efficiency. The detailed insights gained from an energy audit are incredibly useful when creating an energy strategy that encompasses both short-term and long-term goals. This strategy can include a range of measures and it will be tailored to the specific needs of the estate.
There are three main areas where organisations can implement change to reduce carbon emissions and save money:
Each of these methods can be effective and depending on the results of your energy audit, some may be more economical than others. At Barker, we can help you to make the best decisions for your organisation, craft a bespoke energy transformation strategy and assist with the implementation of any changes.
The Barker Energy360™ is our process to help you reap the benefits of improved energy efficiency and get you on the road to net zero.
Our energy efficiency consultants provide impartial advice, they will have your specific goals and best interests in mind when designing an energy strategy. We understand that you can’t always implement all required changes at once, so we can also test the feasibility of different measures to help you to prioritise projects. Unlike other companies that offer efficient energy consulting services, we are estate experts and we understand the unique requirements and challenges that come with management. Not to mention, we will manage the entire process, from start to finish, so you can focus on other aspects of your organisation.
Should you have any questions about energy audits, don’t hesitate to contact the Barker team. We will happily provide you with more information about planning, financial avenues, and implementing transformational energy efficiency strategies. We are a trusted advisor to businesses, schools, healthcare, and universities throughout the UK so we can provide you with the specialist advice you need when trying to improve the energy efficiency of your estate.
To arrange for an energy audit to be conducted at your estate, get in touch with us by completing the form on our website. We will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your energy needs in more detail.
