BEAS energy audits lead to big savings

"Many small businesses will save money far into the future with the improvements funded by BEAS grants and the process starts with the audit so I would encourage all small businesses to get in touch and get their audit organised.”

Small businesses across Warwickshire have been encouraged to take advantage, while they still can, of a free energy audit as the first step towards significant energy and cost savings.

More than 250 businesses have already benefited from the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) audit which identifies ways in which businesses can become more energy efficient and, in turn, cost effective.

The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) is a pilot scheme led by the Mayor of the West Midlands, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ). Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is the lead delivery partner for the Warwickshire area with further funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Coventry City Council has been appointed by WCC to deliver the energy audits. 

Once a business has received an audit, it can then apply for grant funding to put the recommended actions in place. So far, £2.1million in grants have been awarded, leading to a potential £0.6m reduction in energy costs per annum with a potential annual C02e saving of 626 tonnes.  

A further £15m of potential savings have been identified in the audits, including no-cost measures (such as ensuring the heating is set correctly) and projects with a return on investment of less than two years (for example upgrading to LED lighting).

So far in 2025, £938,128 in grants have been awarded to 41 businesses spread across all parts of the county and many sectors. Companies which have benefited range from pubs to recycling centres and sports clubs to care providers. Work funded includes the installation of solar panels and batteries, heating systems and insulation as well as upgrades to windows and doors, roller doors, and compressors.

Among businesses to have benefited is Harry Burrows Fabrications, in Nuneaton, whose managing director Marc Burrows said: “We are so grateful for the WBEAS support. It will really help us try to take the business to the next level. We have a fantastic workforce here, which we really value, and they take a lot of pride in the business, as do we all, so as a board we will do our best to keep pushing forward.”

Grants allocated to businesses across the county have ranged from £1,500 to £100,000 and more funding remains in the pot to be allocated. But any interested business needs to get its audit arranged quite quickly as the scheme ends next spring.