The Business Energy Saving Scheme (BESS), run by the Isle of Man Government's Department for Enterprise, offers businesses the opportunity to make energy efficiency upgrades through interest-free loans of up to £100,000. A key requirement for accessing these loans is completing an energy audit, which helps identify the most effective measures for reducing energy consumption and costs. Additionally, the BESS covers 75% of the cost of these energy audits, making it easier for businesses to assess their energy usage and discover where savings can be made.
Supporting Your Energy Efficiency Goals
At March Consultants Limited (MCL) we offer the comprehensive energy audits required to qualify for the BESS. With over 20 years of experience and deep technical expertise, we deliver clear, actionable recommendations to help businesses reduce costs and improve energy efficiency. Our audits focus on practical solutions tailored to your energy needs, ensuring long-term benefits.
How the BESS Can Transform Your Energy Profile
Let’s consider a hypothetical 500m² office building and how it can improve its energy efficiency using solutions that fit within the £100,000 loan limit.
Step 1: The Energy Audit
The process begins with an energy audit, where we meet with stakeholders to discuss their goals and aspirations for improving energy efficiency. During this stage, we gather data to build an accurate energy profile of the building. If this data isn't available, we digitally simulate energy usage to ensure we fully understand the building’s consumption patterns.
One of the key benefits of the BESS is that it covers 75% of the energy audit fee, making it easier for businesses to take the first step toward identifying significant energy savings. The audit provides a detailed view of where and how energy is consumed, forming the foundation for all future decisions.
Step 2: Tailored Energy Strategy & Outline Specification
Once the audit is complete, we develop a tailored energy strategy that focuses on the most impactful energy-saving measures for the building. This strategy includes a detailed outline of the proposed upgrades as well as a budget estimation for implementation.
For our hypothetical office building, the data shows that space and water heating account for more than 50% of total energy consumption. Based on this, the strategy recommends replacing the existing 80% efficient gas-fired heating system with a 350% efficient air source heat pump (ASHP). A high-temperature ASHP is specified to reduce the need for costly upgrades to the building’s existing heating emitters. Additionally, the ASHP will be fitted with coastal protection to ensure long-term durability in the Isle of Man’s coastal environment.
The energy strategy also recommends pairing the ASHP with a solar PV array, expected to generate approximately 8,500 kWh per year. The combined estimated cost for these systems is £65,000, which will be included in the strategy document as part of the financial planning for the project.
Step 3: Application to the BESS
Once the audit and recommendations are complete, our client prepares the application to the Business Energy Saving Scheme (BESS). MCL supports this process by providing the detailed audit report along with the outline specification for the proposed energy-saving measures. We assist the client throughout the application process, ensuring they have all the necessary documentation to successfully apply for BESS funding.
Step 4: Implementation and Realising the Benefits
Once funding is secured and installation is completed by certified contractors, businesses can expect immediate improvements in energy efficiency.
By replacing the gas-fired heating system, energy consumption for space and water heating can be reduced by up to 60%. Additionally, by using solar energy for water heating and supplementing space heating, reliance on grid electricity is further reduced.
The overall payback period for these measures is estimated to be within 10 years, which is well within the expected lifespan of the systems if they are properly maintained. This ensures that the building will benefit from reduced operational costs and greater energy efficiency for many years to come.
Additional Energy-Saving Opportunities
In addition to the ASHP and solar PV system, other potential energy-saving measures that could be implemented include:
Ultra-efficient LED lighting and advanced controls to reduce electricity consumption for lighting.
Building system automation to optimise the control of heating, cooling, and lighting systems.
Waste heat recovery systems to capture and reuse excess heat.
Solar glazing to improve thermal performance and reduce cooling loads.
Domestic hot water heat pumps to further lower energy consumption for water heating.
Work with March Consultants Limited
At March Consultants Limited, our approach to energy efficiency goes beyond standard audits. With our deep expertise in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems design, we ensure that the energy-saving measures we recommend are not only effective but also fully aligned with the building’s technical requirements. Our solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, optimising performance and maximising long-term savings.
From the initial energy audit to clear recommendations and ongoing support, we help you make the most of the Business Energy Saving Scheme (BESS), delivering practical, technically sound solutions tailored to your building’s needs.
If you’re ready to explore how the BESS can benefit your organisation, contact us to discuss how we can support your energy efficiency goals.