Precious joules

摘要

As prices rise and the planet warms, saving energy has never been so important. The author talks to the consultants who help companies to find effective ways to cut their energy use. The long-term security of the UK's energy supplies has been under threat over the past few years, fuelling a rapid increase in energy prices. Although energy-intensive users have been hardest hit, companies across the board are feeling the squeeze. Many are coming under intense pressure to cut energy consumption. Since the price hikes began, energy consultants have seen their business boom as firms seek advice. "A lot of companies are now looking at their energy consumption," says Eddie Cumberland, an energy consultant at Guardian Energy in Ipswich. "Prices have rocketed and they are looking at costs and realise that if they can't significantly affect the price then the alternative is to use less of it."