Project planning tool - Define needs 

Identify your project

If you don't already have a carbon saving project in mind, use our online tools to identify areas of your business to target and projects to take forward:

• The Cut Carbon, Cut Costs Online training tool is a good starting point - it gives you an introduction to six common areas of carbon saving and helps you create a personalised energy saving action plan.
• The Action plan tool covers further key technology areas that are specific to your business sector, to create a more in depth action plan.

If you already know which technology area you would like to target (e.g. heating, lighting), you can find advice in our technology advice pages.

Define project needs

Once you've identified a project, see our 'How to implement' guides, below, before you approach potential suppliers. These guides help you define where and how you can use particular solutions, the commissioning procedure, common problems, and finding a supplier.  They also include checklists with points to discuss with your supplier. 

Download the relevant guide for your project:

Building controls	How to implement a building energy management system
Building fabric	How to implement rapid roll doors
Compressed air	How to apply variable speed drives to air compressors How to implement leak detection techniques in compressed air
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning	How to implement advanced combustion control How to implement air quality control How to implement blow-down heat recovery How to implement boiler sequence control How to implement cavity wall insulation How to implement condensing boilers How to implement decentralised hot water systems How to implement de-stratification fans How to implement draught-proofing How to implement electrical heating controls How to implement energy efficient swimming pool ventilation How to implement heating zone controls How to implement heat recovery in heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems How to install industrial heat recovery equipment How to implement optimum start control How to implement oxygen trim control How to implement process thermal insulation How to implement radiant heating How to implement roof insulation How to implement solar shading How to implement thermal insulation to HVAC services How to implement thermostatic radiator valves
Lighting	How to implement automatic lighting controls How to implement compact fluorescent or LED spot lighting How to implement external lighting How to refurbish office lighting How to use T5 retrofit conversion kits
Motors and drives	How to implement flat belt drives How to implement higher efficiency motors How to implement inverter variable speed drives How to implement motor power optimisers
Refrigeration	How to implement adiabatic cooling for refrigeration plant How to implement heat recovery in refrigeration How to implement electronic expansion valves How to implement liquid pressure amplification to refrigeration plant

Financial help

In today’s economic climate, it may be difficult to get the credit you need to upgrade to more energy efficient equipment. The energy efficiency financing scheme offers leases, loans and other financing options to all types of organisations seeking to reduce their energy use. Interest-free loans may be available to businesses in Northern Ireland and Wales.

Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA)

Mentioned in some of the "How to implement guides", ECAs are a straightforward way for a business to improve its cash flow through accelerated tax relief. The scheme encourages businesses to invest in energy saving plant or machinery specified on the Energy Technology List. Browse the ECA list to see applicable equipment.

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