According to the latest information released by the Environment Agency (as we write this), only 1,500 full participant registrations and 5,000 information disclosures have been completed.  The deadline for this important process is the 30th of September.  With only 30% of expected organisations having complied, the Environment Agency is expecting a late rush of new cases.

More importantly, the penalties for not registering or submitting an Information Disclosure are potentially heavy.  Fines of £5,000 minimum are built into the scheme as a minimum for non-compliance.

All sites with one or more half-hourly electricity meters must be registered within the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Make sure your organisation is not flouting the law: contact Utility Masters for clear, unbiased advice on your position.

There has been a lot of interest in the energy-savings potential of replacing existing lighting schemes with LED units.  It's certainly true that LED lights use much less energy than the halogen units they usually replace, but some of the LED lights being promoted are providing unsatisfactory lifespans.

The main problem lies with inadequate cooling of the new LED lights, resulting in premature failure.

Some LEDs do provide excellent performance and longevity, however.  Utility Masters' advice is to contact us before going ahead with any light replacement scheme where LED lights have been put forward.  Utility Masters is not connected with any light supplier or manufacturer, so you can be assured of a clear, independent and unbiased view.

Call us on 0161 785 0404 before going ahead with any new lighting scheme.  Impartial advice from our experts can save you wasted money and time, plus government funding for your scheme might be available.

Is Your Organisation Ready?

Fourteen weeks may sound like a long time to have left for your organisation's CRC Registration. But when you consider the following, time will soon be running out:

• Registration takes several weeks to process
• Summer holiday season is here
• Your whole UK organisation needs to register, not as single sites
• You must understand the impact of your CRC obligations

Choose Utility Masters As Your CRC Agent

Utility Masters Ltd is handling CRC Registrations and Information Disclosures for some of the UK's leading companies.  With 10 years' experience in UK Carbon Management schemes, our unrivalled experience and systems will take care of your obligations.

Full Services From As Little As £250 

We can handle an Information Disclosure from £250.  Our systems and our excellent people have the skills and expertise to handle the process, while you focus on your core business challenges.

Contact Utility Masters today to make sure your obligations are satisfied. 

Once considered an inexpensive utility, Water is now a considerable factor in an organisation's budget.  Water companies have been changing the ways they charge and many business have found that charges have increased.

Utility Masters experts have over 30 years' experience in the water sector and are already identifying significant overcharges for our customers, going back up to 6 years in some cases.

Increasing Charges to Businsses

Water and Wastewater charges are set for above inflation rises through the years 2011 to 2015, therefore it would be extremely worthwhile having your water charges analysed.

Water Bill Audits and Validation by Utility Masters

Utility Masters can identify any savings that your business is entitled to.  We identify savings in over 20% of all bills issued by the water companies, so don't miss out on this important service.  There is no upfront fee - we will carry out our analysis at no charge to you.

Once we have carried out this analysis we can offer you an ongoing Bill Validation service.  This will help to:

• Identify and rectify errors in charges
• Inform you of possible water leaks or bursts 
• Help you to prepare and complete necessary paperwork to claim allowances
• Assist you in assessing your budgets for water and wastewater, allowing you to identify and deal with variations in your water spend.

Take Advantage Of Your Free Analysis Today

Utility Masters will assess the possibility of savings for you at no cost.  Email us today to find out how.

Most Businesses Facing Electricity Price Increases From April 2010.

New Electricity Distribution prices were implemented across the UK on 1st April 2010.  For most businesses, these price changes will result in higher bills.  The bills you receive from your electricity suppliers in early May should include these new distribution prices.

Details of the effect these prices will have by region can be seen in a document published by Ofgem, by following this link.  The price changes by region can be found on page 12.

To discuss how these changes will affect you, contact us today.

CRC Registration for Organisations Under 6,000,000kWh

All half-hourly metered electricity supplies must be registered, by law, with the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme before the end of September 2010.  Given that the Environment Agency (the scheme administrators) have stated that the process will take several weeks to complete, it is vital that all affected businesses act quickly.

Utility Masters have launched an Information Disclosure Service to help businesses to meet the registration obligations placed upon them.  Details of this service can be seen by following this link. 

CRC Information Disclosure from only £250

With fixed competitive fees and CRC experts available to help your organisation, contact Utility Masters today to ensure that your CRC compliance is handled by experts.

Environment Agency Announces that CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Registration Process is Open.

The Environment Agency emailed all registered parties this week to confirm that the online CRC Registry is now open.  All organisations which qualify under the rules of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme now need to either register as a Participant or make an Information Disclosure before 30th September 2010 to avoid the possibility of punitive penalties under the Scheme.

A plethora of guidance documents are available, but if your Organisation does not have the time or resource to understand this complex scheme and its effects on your business, contact Utility Masters now to see how we might help you.

More information is also available on our website.

Demand Side Management Success from Utility Masters Ltd

The National Grid Triad periods have now been published, following a difficult Winter.  The prolonged cold snap, coupled with snow which affected the ability of many businesses to work at full capacity, made it more difficult than usual to predict the three periods of highest national demand.

Despite the difficult conditions, Utility Masters' Triad Warning Service successfully predicted all 3 Triads this winter, as we have in previous years.  The Triad Waning Service enables our customers to reduce demand at the times of peak national demand, avoiding high Transmission Charges and saving them hundred of thousands every year.  We're delighted to maintain the fantastic record of this service.

For more details, read about the Triad Warnings service.  To discuss how you can reduce your energy bills, through better buying and better use of your energy, contact us today.

Most Businesses Will Start The First Year of CRC Unprepared 

An article in yesterday's Sunday Times highlighted the level of ignorance about the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, with only 6 weeks left before the Scheme comes into full effect.

Despite information about the CRC being available from the Environment Agency, most businesses have not readied themselves for the obligations they will be required, by law, to meet.  Late registrations carry significant penalty charges and the first year of the scheme is "riddled with deadlines", to quote the Sunday Times.

Utility Masters have already held four free seminars to help businesses to prepare for this important Scheme, and a fifth is planned in Wakefield on Tuesday 16th March.  Book now to attend, or see our blog post about the seminar here.

Another Free CRC Seminar From Utility Masters - Be Ready For April 2010

With the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme registration period starting in April 2010, the demand for information about this important new scheme is higher than ever.

In response, Utility Masters is putting on a fifth CRC Seminar at:

Normanton Golf Club, Hatfeild Hall
Aberford Road
Stanley
Wakefield WF3 4JP

On Tuesday 16th March 2010, starting at 9:30 am and finishing with a buffet lunch between 12:00 and 13:00.

Compliance with this scheme is mandatory, but it's also possible to benefit from it.  This seminar will help to show you how. 

To register your interest, email us now.

A map to the venue is shown here: