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Find out how you could save money with a Smart Business Grant.

Ealing Cycles sits in the heart of Ealing Broadway. The shop holds an extensive stock of bicycles, and cycling accessories. John Hoskins, business owner, originally benefited from the council’s free energy survey in March 2017. Having received the council’s energy survey report, in April last year, it identified upgrading the lighting was the principal areas where energy savings could be achieved.

Using this survey information, John applied for, and received, the Smart Business Grant. The survey estimated that the new LED lighting would almost halve the consumption for lighting in the shop. John estimated that it is likely to be slightly most than half.

“Using LEDs will directly reduce energy consumption but they also emit less heat than our previous lamps. This means the air conditioning we used during the autumn and spring months should be eliminated, and its use in summer should decrease as well,” John said.

“This means we are expecting to save more than just by changing the lamps though indirect savings by not using air conditioning all the time to keep the shop at a comfortable temperature.”

Businesses in the borough are encouraged to contact the council to apply for the grant, which aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy bills.

How does the scheme work?

It all starts with a business identifying energy saving measures within their own operations such as heating, lighting, equipment and hot water. If businesses need help with identifying measures the Carbon Trust provides free surveys.

Once a series of measures has been identified, a support package of up to 50% of costs may be made available, with the remainder match-funded by the business. The minimum grant awarded is £1,000 and the maximum £5,000.

All types of small and medium sized businesses can apply and benefit from the smart business grant. So far, businesses as diverse as staircase manufacturers, co-working hubs and fish and chip shops have successfully applied.

More information

Register an interest and find out more about the smart business grants by visiting www.ealing.gov.uk/sbg or by emailing businessenergy@ealing.gov.uk