Yorkshire SMEs express serious concerns over energy price rises

More than 50% of all small and medium-sized business owners in Yorkshire have expressed serious concerns regarding the rising costs of energy, a brand new report in the local media has revealed.

Figures obtained from the Close Brothers Business Barometer, which takes into account the opinion of more than 700 SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) owners from several industries across the UK and Ireland, suggest that the large majority of small business owners currently question the legitimacy of "green taxes" in their energy bill.

Lee Hayes, regional sales director for Close Brothers Invoice Finance in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Our findings suggest that a number of local business owners are uneasy about the latest set of energy price increases, which have come at a time when many firms continue to struggle with their cash flow.

"There has been a lot of debate around energy costs and green taxes with many sceptical about the validity of 'green taxes' and their purpose.

"With these policies adding approximately 15 to 21 per cent to the energy bill of the average medium-sized UK business, companies have a right to scrutinise their value.

"It's understandable that business owners would like to see greater transparency around their energy bills so that they can ensure they are receiving best value for money."

SME owners who're particularly worried about the adverse effects energy price hikes might have on their bottom lines should seriously consider investing in a high-end solution designed specifically to help them optimize their energy consumption, and this is specifically where the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System could help.

HeatingSave comes packed with a number of features to prevent employees from adjusting the heating controls and leaving them in setting that can waste fuel. The keypad and display on the front of the controller has two levels of password protection.

These passwords can be changed by authorized personnel locally or centrally using the PC software. The password programming meets the requirements laid down by the Carbon Trust, and the PC software is user ID and password protected too.

Naturally, employees do have the right to set the ambient temperature at a value that best suites their needs, and HeatingSave manages this situation by firstly getting the temperature right so people don't feel too hot or cold. If employees do feel too cold, they can hit a button to increase the room temperature. The heating will be turned up for a while BUT will then automatically turn back — keeping the employee at the right comfort temperature — and saving the employer on their fuel bill.

If you'd like to find out more about the savings enabled by the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System, just contact our dedicated product team, they'll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and queries.