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Over 90% of UK businesses are unaware of Government incentives to improve energy efficiency, according to a survey by air conditioning company Daikin UK.

The Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme aims to help companies invest in energy efficient technology. However, a huge majority of 1300 companies in the office, retail and leisure sector are unaware of the scheme.

Although 69% of respondents said their company could be doing more to save energy and cut costs, a similar proportion said the expense of making changes was the biggest barrier.

“In the face of rising energy costs and the need to reduce carbon emissions, businesses are being forced to become more energy efficient,” says Mark Dyer of Daikin UK. “Yet it seems we could clearly be doing more to encourage investment in new energy saving technology by raising awareness of the ECA.”

But good news for SMEs comes today with the announcement from the Carbon Trust that it is increasing the maximum size of its interest-free energy efficiency loans from £100,000 to £200,000.

The total pot of cash available to companies, which want to upgrade equipment to more energy efficient versions, has also increased by 45% to £31 million.

The old limit of £100,000 was simply not high enough for organisations trying to embark on more ambitious projects such as lighting installations, boilers or heat recovery systems, explains Hugh Jones of the Carbon Trust.

The Carbon Trust says it expects the move in boost energy and carbon savings by 20% compared with what would have been possible under the previous scheme.

David Boomer of the Institute of Directors is urging businesses to make the most of the opportunity.

“This is excellent news,” he says. “Even at this time of economic uncertainty it is still vital that businesses continue to look for opportunities to invest in more energy efficient equipment and thereby reduce their carbon emissions.”

For further information:
www.daikin.co.uk/comfort
www.eca.gov.uk/etl
www.carbontrust.co.uk