News and Blogs

Read our articles on energy efficiency and reducing energy use in the workplace.

How to find financial support for energy efficiency upgrades

Please note: If you decide to apply to a funder for a grant or loan always check with the specific website regularly for any changes to criteria, deadlines or for any additional advice or information that has been posted. This page was last updated in February 2023. Embarking on an energy efficiency project can be costly,…

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Energy Efficiency Quick Tips for GP Practices

Understanding your heating controls Heating controls are essential for achieving energy efficiency in buildings. By understanding how these controls work, you can avoid wasting energy in unoccupied spaces or having competing heating and cooling running at the same time. Manuals for heating controls can be found on a manufacturer’s website. Ensure staff know which of…

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Support for businesses and organisations in Oxford City – Build Back Better (Ended December 2022)

This support offer has come to end as of December 2022. As energy prices skyrocket for businesses, we’ve gained new funding to support organisations in Oxford City. If you have a building in Oxford City and want fully funded energy efficiency support, you should get in touch. Our experienced team can provide energy assessments and…

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NatWest boss to co-chair new energy efficiency taskforce

The Government will today formally launch its new energy efficiency taskforce and name NatWest boss Alison Rose as its co-chair alongside energy security and net zero minister Lord Callanan. The task force will devise a plan to cut energy consumption by 15% by 2030 compared to 2021 levels across domestic and commercial buildings and industrial…

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Energy intensive industries given £12 million boost to cut emissions and costs

UK government announces further funding to help businesses clean up industrial processes and improve energy efficiency. You might also like…

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Article topics

The most common energy saving opportunities for manufacturing businesses

Manufacturing and engineering businesses tend to be high energy users, with annual energy bills well exceeding £10,000. Not only does this cut into business profits, it also needlessly adds to overall carbon emissions from human activity – which, as you’ll be aware, are already dangerously high. This means there’s huge opportunity in the manufacturing industry…

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Oxford-based Ecosync receives OxFutures grant to develop smart temperature control for buildings

Start up company EcoSync is developing a smart temperature control system using artificial intelligence. They have secured additional innovation funding from OxFutures to continue the development. Ecosync’s technology helps businesses synchronise heating with occupancy levels. With the added control over the temperature settings, they can improve energy efficiency – avoiding empty rooms being heated. They are aiming,…

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Three easy ways to cut energy use by making more of the technology you already have

There are a myriad of different ways to make energy improvements in a workspace to reduce wasted energy – reducing running costs and carbon emissions. These range from no-cost, low-effort options like improvement staff awareness and energy management to higher-cost interventions such as replacing your heating system or installing rooftop solar PV panels. Not all…

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Ikea pledges to invest £3.4bn in renewable energy by 2030

Ikea plans to spend an additional £3.4 billion on renewable energy technology by the end of this decade – including building wind and solar farms, installing electric charge points at its premises, and exploring energy storage too. The company spent £2.5 billion over the last decade on installing 935,000 solar panels on the roofs of…

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New tool from Green New Deal: how many green jobs in your area

How many green jobs could be created in your constituency? This new tool from the Green New Deal team can tell you, and help you lobby your local MP to put them in place. Green New Deal are highlighting the jobs lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, and calling for the government to replace lost jobs…

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More from our Sparks file

The importance of energy efficiency for businesses – and an introduction to Energy Solutions Oxfordshire

In the first webinar of our autumn 2020 series, we were joined by Steve Fawkes and Richard Dorey. Dr Steve Fawkes, Founder of EnergyPro and author of the Only Eleven Percent blog, gave an overview of why businesses should be thinking about energy efficiency. This included some of the key barriers commonly found by businesses…

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Common energy efficiency measures to reduce energy usage

In this webinar Michael Esvelt, Operations Director at Oxford Brookes’ Environmental Information Exchange, explains common measures for reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency in buildings, including: lighting changes, dealing with business appliances or machinery, employee awareness, renewables installation, and more. We were also joined by Gavin Hodgson who is responsible for reducing energy consumption…

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Upcoming event: school energy improvements – measures & funding options (inc. Salix)

The event in brief Topic: Energy improvements for schools: typical measures, funding options (inc. Salix), and sharing Windmill Primary School’s experienceDate: Wednesday 26 May 2021Time: 8.30-9.30amLink to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-itqzMrE9BY8cQqsHf4z4GvFNX1FRcH More details Oxfordshire’s buildings are old, inefficient, and constantly wasting energy. In fact, in the UK buildings are responsible for 29% of total carbon emissions– and…

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Saving Energy and Carbon at Thame Racquets Fitness Centre

Thame Racquets Fitness Centre – Business type: Leisure & Hospitality– Primary goals: reduce the environmental impact of the business– Measures: LED lighting, hot water timers, sauna timers, insulate pipework and suspended ceiling, reduce overnight electricity use Background A recent survey found that the two main barriers to action for small businesses wanting to transition to…

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