CHP - Handy Tool to see if it works for you
Over the last couple of weeks we have undertaken a number of epc’s on some pretty substantial buildings and having gone through the reports with the respective owners we are being asked about the true value of installing a CHP system– for those not familiar with the jargon it stands for Combined Heat and Power.
Basically a CHP system generates electricity on site and uses the heat generated in the process to reduce overall fuel consumption and therefore fuel costs.
The true value of installing such a system though depends on a number of factors not least of which is the cost of installing such a system. The benefits then would be that you could see a reduction in your energy usage costs, a reduction in CO2 emissions and the systems can be highly efficient.
There are a number of systems available but they aren’t suitable for all properties and indeed even with the present level of utility prices it may still not be economically feasible and therein has lain the problem – how best to advise our clients and to be fair, anyone else who is interested in this relatively new technology.
The government though has come to the rescue and produced an interactive assessment as to the suitability for your particular property. Like all helpful advice from the government though it does come with a warning that its “an innovative tool that allows anyone with an interest in developing CHP to get a first impression of the suitability of this energy efficient technology for their organisation.”
Basically by clicking the link below (or cut and paste it into your browser) it will take you to the web site, alternatively seek it out yourself from the DECC website – but this link works just as well. You can register and you will get a couple of more features but we used it to test a couple of buildings without registering and it worked equally well. However there is a disclaimer on the initial page that should be noted and like the DECC we accept no responsibility for the accuracy or reliability nor do we accept any loss or liability arising from the interpretation of the reports produced.
Having got that out of the way I have to say we found it really quite useful and you don’t need reams of paperwork to try the system. If you haven’t got your own energy consumption data to hand the programme will make assumptions – for more accurate results you will need to know your electricity consumption and costs going back two or three years. Once this data has been entered there are a few other boxes to complete and then your results appear. It really is that simple.
Labels: chp, commercial energy performance certificate, commercial property energy assesment, energy savings for the commercial landlord
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