How UK Businesses Can Cut Costs & Reduce Carbon Footprint
Expert tips on spring energy efficiency for Black Country manufacturers on how to reduce energy costs, optimise industrial systems, and access grants.
Expert tips on spring energy efficiency for Black Country manufacturers on how to reduce energy costs, optimise industrial systems, and access grants.
As the Black Country's manufacturing sector moves from winter to spring, businesses have a prime opportunity to reassess and optimise energy consumption. Given the region’s reliance on high-energy industrial processes, improving efficiency can lead to significant cost savings and lower carbon emissions.
💡 Did you know?
At Pro Enviro, we specialise in helping Black Country manufacturers cut energy costs, improve efficiency, and access grants to fund energy-saving initiatives.
Small inefficiencies can add up to massive costs for industries like metal casting, CNC machining, forging, and glass processing. An energy audit helps businesses identify:
🔍 Heat loss in furnaces, kilns, and boilers
🔍 Inefficient compressed air systems and leaks
🔍 Unnecessary energy use during non-peak hours
✔ We conduct on-site energy audits to pinpoint waste areas and savings opportunities.
✔ We provide practical, industry-specific solutions for energy-intensive processes.
✔ We help manufacturers apply for decarbonisation grants to fund energy-saving upgrades. (Read our success stories)
Pro Tip: Black Country businesses can apply for the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme under the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) to support energy efficiency investments.
High-energy processes in steel, aluminum, and ceramics manufacturing generate excess heat. However, inefficient HVAC and process heating systems waste millions in unnecessary energy costs.
✅ Fine-tune burner controls and waste heat recovery systems to optimise fuel use.
✅ Implement smart ventilation to reduce excess airflows and retain process heat.
✅ Insulate pipes, ductwork, and heat exchangers to prevent energy losses.
Fact: Properly maintaining boilers, burners, and furnaces can cut fuel costs by 15-25% (Carbon Trust).
Many Black Country factories and warehouses still use outdated high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting, leading to unnecessary energy use.
✅Switching to LED lighting can reduce energy use by 60%.
✅Installing motion sensors and daylight controls ensures that lights are only used when needed.
✅Integrating smart controls can optimise factory-wide energy use.
Pro Tip: The Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme offers grant funding for energy-efficient lighting projects in the Black Country.
Many metalworking, CNC machining, and plastic manufacturing facilities rely on compressed air—yet up to 30% of compressed air is wasted due to inefficiencies.
✅ Fixing air leaks can cut compressed air costs by 20-40%.
✅ Installing variable speed compressors improves efficiency.
✅ Using heat recovery from compressors can reduce heating costs in workshops.
Fact: Compressed air accounts for up to 10% of industrial electricity use—yet it’s often the most overlooked area for savings (UK Energy Efficiency Report).
Energy-intensive manufacturers often overpay for electricity due to peak demand charges and inefficient scheduling.
✅ Install real-time energy monitoring to track machine-level consumption.
✅ Use demand-side response (DSR) programs to shift non-essential loads to off-peak hours.
✅ Optimise shift patterns to minimise high-energy-demand periods.
Pro Tip: Smart energy monitoring systems can cut industrial electricity costs by 10-15% annually (Ofgem).
Beyond seasonal efficiency, Black Country manufacturers should adopt long-term sustainability strategies:
♻️ Waste Heat Recovery: Reuse process heat to preheat materials or factory spaces.
⚡ Renewable Energy Integration: Consider solar PV or on-site battery storage for cost reductions.
🔄 Circular Economy Practices: Reduce raw material waste and optimise resource use.
Pro Tip: Many Black Country businesses qualify for government-backed Net Zero transition funding—we help companies navigate applications.
✅ Expertise in Black Country Manufacturing: We specialise in high-energy industries like metal processing, glass production, and CNC machining.
✅ Tailored Energy-Saving Solutions: We provide industry-specific recommendations based on on-site assessments.
✅ Grant Application Assistance: We help secure funding for efficiency projects so cost isn’t a barrier.
✅ Decarbonisation Compliance Support: We help businesses meet UK Net Zero targets while cutting costs.
Is your business looking to cut energy costs and improve efficiency?
Contact us today for a FREE consultation on how we can help Black Country manufacturers access energy-saving grants and reduce carbon emissions.