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“Good to receive thoughts and guidance in what can be a very complicated process.”
Mike Radlett, Carville Switchgear, Burgess Hill
Utility Savings Uncovered
Guildhall Museum in Rochester has implemented a range of initiatives to monitor and reduce utility consumption and spend, following an Environmental Audit by the Sustainable Business Partnership CIC working with the South East Museum Development Programme.
Led by Alan Wood the museum started by looking at utility charges. Without water meters in place, water bills had been based on rateable value and were particularly high due to the 17th century listed building’s size and town centre location. Installing water meters has reduced charges by over £5,000 per year, and allows Alan to track consumption to spot any leaks.
Alan also monitors electricity usage via an on-line portal that receives information directly from a smart meter and takes regular gas meter readings. Further savings of over £1,000 are also expected from recently switching one of their electricity supplies to a new tariff.
Guildhall Museum has reduced waste to landfill by around half a tonne by ensuring recycling bins are obviously located and that staff know which materials can be segregated. This simple measure also reduces costs, as does re-using packaging materials to store artefacts when not on display.
Savings Snapshot
Water charges: £5,000
Electricity tariff: £1,000
LED lighting: £250
In-line with legislation, electrical and hazardous waste is segregated and collected for recovery by a registered Waste Carrier. The museum obtained a ‘coffin’ from their waste company to safely store spent fluorescent tubes before collection.
Now on top of their bills, the museum is looking to reduce utility consumption. By replacing 75 tungsten candle lamps in chandeliers with low energy LED models Alan expects to save over 3,000 kWh and £250 per year. Like the LED spotlights fitted in the Medway Exhibition and museum shop to replace halogen versions, the candles emit minimal UV and thermal radiation, important for the conservation of paintings and artefacts.
Next the museum is hoping to refurbish their bathrooms and install water efficient appliances.
The Guildhall Museum is open 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesdays to Sundays, entrance free of charge. Visit: www.guildhallmuseumrochester.co.uk
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Contact the Sustainable Business Partnership to find out how your organisation can also save money through utility management and resource efficiency. Email info@sustainablebusiness.org.uk or call 01273 964239.