An energy storage system allows you to capture heat or electricity when it is readily available, such as from a renewable energy system, storing it for you to use later.

The most common energy storage systems include electric batteries, hot water cylinders and electric storage heaters. 

In this guide, we will only talk about battery storage systems. 

​This page will explore everything you need to know about energy storage to better understand whether it's an energy saving measure that could work for your organsation. Scroll to learn more, or click the button below to download the full guide in PDF format. 

There are two different battery technologies that can be used for small scale and short term storage of electricity within a building’s energy system...

The cost will vary depending on the size and type of battery as well as the practicalities of the installation. Here's some indicative costs...

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Will installing a battery save me money?

You are likely to save money from installing a battery alongside a renewable generation system as you will be able to use more of the generated energy to operate your appliances rather than exporting it to the grid.

As you usually pay more to import electricity than you can earn from exporting it, this will reduce your bills. You may be able to increase this saving by choosing a variable tariff and changing when you charge and discharge the battery to take advantage of the varying prices offered. 

Carbon savings

Installing a battery will not directly reduce your carbon dioxide emissions as it will not reduce the total amount of electricity you use.

In fact, as some energy is lost in charging and discharging the battery, your total consumption is likely to increase slightly. However, fitting a battery does have significant indirect benefits by enabling the installation of additional renewable generation systems without putting extra strain on the network.

There is currently no appropriate and accepted methodology for quantifying this benefit and so it cannot be used when calculating your carbon footprint, but it is a very real benefit nonetheless.

The installation time can vary depending on the complexity of the installation and the size of the battery. Typically, for smaller systems, it takes just one day.

Disruption during the installation

No major disruptions are expected during the installation of battery storage systems, apart from disconnection of the electricity supply for a short period.

Can I do this by myself? 

Energy storage systems are not a technology that you can install by yourself. You will need to talk to an installer who will assess your needs and evaluate your building before proposing which system could be right for you. Click here to learn more about this.

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See below for a list of real-life examples of energy storage installations in charities, social enterprises and community organisations across the UK...

Solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your building.

By installing solar panels, you can generate your own renewable electricity.

​This page will explore everything you need to know about Solar PVs to better understand whether it's an energy saving measure that could work for your organsation.

Scroll to learn more, or click the button below to download the complete guide in PDF format. 

A small 3.5kWp solar PV system, such as you might see on the roof of a house, will take up around 20m2 of roof space, which is the same as about two car parking spaces. It would typically be made up from around 15 panels and would generate around 2,500kWh per year, depending on location and system design.

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See below for a list of real-life examples of Solar PV installations in charities, social enterprises and community organisations across the UK...

This section includes guidance on steps charities and social enterprises can take after installing energy measures, including any support they can receive from the contractors or other advice bodies.  

Post-installation checklist

Following the completion of works, you should:

•    Make sure you fully understand how to use a newly installed system. The installer should also ensure this, as well as handing over any manuals, but the level and detail of handover varies between installers.

•    Collect and file invoices and any Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or TrustMark certificates, building regulations notifications, planning consent notifications etc. 

•    Keep your commissioning certificate and warranty details in a safe place.

•    Get a post-installation Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – see EPCs for business premises below. 

•    Keep a note of the installer’s contact details.

•    Know when to expect contact about annual servicing.

EPCs for business premises

•    An EPC rates how energy efficient your building is using grades from A to G (with ‘A’ the most efficient grade) and is required if you wish to sell or rent your property for example. 

•    If you get any energy saving measures retrofitted in your property that will not be visible, such as wall, floor or loft insulation, it is very important to keep evidence of this work. Take photos before and after installation, keep receipts of materials and builders’ invoices and building warranty plans. 

- If an EPC surveyor cannot visually see the measure because it’s inaccessible, they will need to see documentary evidence of the work undertaken in order to validate the EPC.

- If you do not have evidence of retrofit insulation, this insulation cannot be factored into the EPC rating and will be ignored. Instead, the level of insulation will be assumed based on the building’s age. This may significantly affect the EPC energy rating and the rating may not be as high as it could be.

Remember, you can also download a full PDF guide to the Procurement Pathway via the button below. 

This section includes a list of energy efficiency and retrofit advice providers in the UK.

You can browse via the interactive map, filtering your search by location and support offered to find the advice provider most-suited to your organisation. 

If you're an accredited advice provider of energy efficiency and retrofit services and would like to be listed here check out our Advisors page or email us to find out more. 
 

Once you’ve decided to go ahead with some energy improvements to your building, you’ll want to find an installer you can trust to do the job. Your installer should be able to advise you on the most appropriate technology, size and specification of system to suit your organisation and your energy needs.

Here’s our advice on what to look for...

Find a fully qualified and reputable installer, ideally certified by a relevant industry accreditation body. 

See here for a list of accreditation schemes providing certified installers in your area. 

Get at least three quotes from three different installers before signing a contract. 

Beware of heavy-handed sales techniques, such as pressure to sign on the day, high prices with large discounts for signing on the spot, or bogus monitoring scheme discounts. Don’t compare installers on cost alone – the cheapest may not be the most appropriate. See below for more information on how to review installers’ quotes and what to ask the installers when reviewing their quotes. 

Check out the installer’s previous work either by asking them directly or on their website.

Also check any available customer reviews and testimonials on Google reviews, on Trustpilot etc. 

Check the maintenance requirements of your system and any post-installation support the installer is offering. 

Check what guarantees the installer will provide you for the quality of their work and the products they will install. 

We recommend checking your quotes over...

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Note - 5. Is this a final and fixed price?
It’s essential the installer visits your property and carries out an inspection to understand your needs. Some installers may give an indicative quote before a site visit and then an amended and fixed price quote afterwards. Often an installer will quote based on certain assumptions, even after a site visit, and then charge extra for unforeseen complexities. The installer should be able to provide a list of circumstances where an additional charge may be added.

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You can search for a certified installer in your local area using the online tools provided on their websites. Click the buttons on each listing and use their directories to find an accredited contractor near you.

You can also speak to other organisations in your area that have successfully installed the measures you are exploring to seek more recommendations for installers in your area that may not be listed on either of the directories above. 

On this page, you'll find comprehensive guides to each of the seven energy saving measures included in this framework. 

Each section will cover key information to help you understand which would be most suitable for your building, including: 

• What it is
• How it works
• How much it's likely to cost 
• What the disruption of installation is likely to be
• Whether it's something you can do yourself or not 
• Examples of where it's been installed before for energy efficiency   

You can also download each guide in PDF format for sharing with colleagues (although for obvious reasons we don't recommend printing these documents!) 

1. Understand your energy usage

You can start by reviewing your energy bills and meter readings to understand your building’s overall energy performance and identify any spikes in energy use. This can be compared with previous years to build a picture of seasonal energy use and annual energy costs.

You can also...

2. Review your energy contract 

Before signing an energy contract, contact your energy supplier to understand what tariffs they provide and compare what they offer with other providers. Consider using a specialist energy broker to negotiate a better long-term rate. 

It is important to note that energy suppliers must only work with third party intermediaries, such as energy brokers, who are registered with a qualifying alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme. According to the independent regulator, Ofgem, there are currently two providers of an ADR scheme for microbusiness – the Ombudsman Services and the Utilities Intermediaries Association. 

While businesses pay the standard VAT rate (20%) on their energy there are exceptions. For instance, charities pay 5% VAT on fuel and power if they are for residential accommodation, charitable non-business activities, and small-scale use (up to 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month or a delivery of 2,300 litres of gas oil). Additionally, if less than 60% of the fuel and power is for something that qualifies, 5% VAT applies to the qualifying part and the standard rate on the rest.

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3. Assess building performance

In England and Wales, privately rented non-domestic buildings must legally have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘E’ when:

•    they are being sold;
•    they are being let to new tenants;
•    an existing tenancy is renewed;
•    the heating, cooling or ventilation systems are retrofitted. 

EPCs can help you understand the energy performance of your building, as well as identify areas for improvement. EPCs provide a rating from ‘A’ to ‘G’, with level A being the most efficient. Ratings are calculated based on construction materials, heating systems, insulation, and other factors. EPCs can only be done by certified commercial assessors and are valid for 10 years once issued. It costs around £150 to get an EPC for small buildings, with greater costs for larger and/ or complex buildings.

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4. Understand the practical limitations 

Building owner Vs renter. 

If you are a renter, it is likely that you are unable to carry out larger energy efficiency improvements and low-carbon technology installations, without the full support and engagement of your landlord. However, many energy upgrades will increase the value of a property, so don’t be afraid to ask you landlord if they’re interested.

Listed and historical buildings

Retrofitting or installing low carbon technologies on listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas can be challenging and costly due to the specific skills and materials required, as well as additional permissions required, and sometimes will not be permitted at all. It is important to ensure that listed buildings are treated appropriately with the right retrofit measures or technologies selected based on the construction and use of the building, to ensure that the most cost and energy efficient approaches are implemented. 

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Kilowatts (kW) are a unit of power. Power is the rate at which energy is generated or used.

Some technologies i.e. PV arrays are usually described in terms of their peak output in kilowatts or kWp. This is the amount of electricity they will produce continuously in optimum conditions. 

Kilowatt Hours (kWh) are a unit of energy. Energy is a measure of how much power is used by something over a period of time.

Energy consumption expressed in terms of kWh doesn't often mean much unless you also know the length of the period that the kWh were measured over.