Wirral heat pump maker latest to offer energy advice

Wirral-based Stiebel Eltron has joined the growing number of firms to offer a 'green' advice service for its clients; covering issues of complying with legislation, applying for grants, tax breaks and installation of renewable energy products.

Stiebel Eltron's UK managing director Mark McManus said: "Understanding of 'green' energy issues is limited and advice is desperately needed.

"The introduction of Energy Performance Certificates this year is just the tip of the iceberg. There is more legislation looming with the Climate Change Bill and the Energy Bill, which will ramp up the pressure to become more energy efficient. But we can help. We can, for example, carry out an EPC for a building. But more than that we can actually make improvements which will improve the EPC rating, ultimately making the building more saleable and more energy efficient slashing bills and carbon emissions."

McManus said it is critical business owners and the public sector take advantage of Government help to become greener. "Businesses are feeling under increasing pressure to be greener, failure to have an EPC, for example, for a commercial property can result in a £5000 fine," he said. "But there is carrot as well as stick. VAT on renewable energy products is just 5% and there is the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme. Through this scheme businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in green friendly technologies against their taxable profits."

Stiebel Eltron, based on Wirral International Business Park in Bromborough, manufactures ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps.