Business Update April 2020

Business as usual during COVID-19

Please be reassured that we are making the necessary arrangements to operate our business with the minimum of disruption during these unprecedented times.

We take the health and wellbeing of our staff seriously and, therefore, following government guidance, employees are working from home following successful trials for every member of staff at Head Office and each regional office.

We have prepared well for this situation, and are confident that we will maintain our exceptional levels of service delivery. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We appreciate that the situation is fast-moving and the uncertainty presented makes it hard to plan. Our teams are available to support you through this period. Whether your school is open or not, we will continue to monitor your account and contact you where we feel it necessary. We appreciate that you will have lots to think about, so we aim to make as much information as we can accessible online via our website and social media channels.

What's new?

We have created a top tips guide highlighting four simple things to consider while your school or organisation is closed or operating with a skeleton staff, to ensure you are not paying more for your energy than you need to during this time.

We have created a KS1 resources pack to help both those schools who are remaining open and parents and teachers who are looking for fun and educational resources to entertain young children at home. We will publish a new activity each week and encourage you to share photos of the activities in action – look out for our own parent employees doing the same!

Can you help us fill social media with sunshine? We are launching a sunflower growing competition. Request your free seeds here before the 17th of April. We’ll send the seeds and then the race is on to see who can grow the tallest sunflower before 7th August! Share your sunflower photos – be that at school, organisation or at home – on social media using the hashtag #readyzengrow.

Industry News

Why might you see the cost of your electricity rise?

Under the Targeted Charging Review (TCR) Ofgem sought to make changes to the way in which some of the costs of the electricity networks are recovered.

The revised charging system will introduce fixed banded prices, which will mean that consumers of a similar type in the same geographic area will pay the same charge towards network costs.

We’ve collated some frequently asked questions to help you understand how you might be impacted by the changes.

Targeted Charging Review FAQs

Are you prepared for changes in the water market?

Since April 2017, your organisation has been able to choose its water supplier in order to drive improved service and lower prices. However, if you haven’t exercised your right to switch, you will have been automatically placed in a ‘deemed contract’ with your existing supplier, or associated water retailer. Ofwat introduced tariff caps to protect those consumers who did not wish to engage in the water market. But those caps have been lifted from the 1st April 2020, meaning that organisations that have not actively switched supplier could face increased costs for their water supply.

We’ve partnered with Water2Business to offer a Water Management Service that is designed to protect customers from paying more than they should for their water supply. The Zenergi Water Management Service allows customers to benefit from our commitment to exceptional customer service.

Did you know?
Schools are exempt from paying VAT on their water, and yet too often we find bills where VAT has been added.

Ofwat have announced that retailers can temporarily suspend billing on the water for businesses and schools that have closed their premises in the coronavirus pandemic.

Learn more about leveraging the benefits of the deregulated water market with the Zenergi Water Management Service by clicking on the water button below...

Water

Is it time to report for SECR?

The government's Streamlined Energy Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework that was introduced last April requires qualifying organisations to calculate and report on their energy consumption and carbon emissions annually.

Although the requirements of carbon reporting can be complex, it offers an opportunity for a group of sites or large sites to improve energy efficiency, allowing significant savings on energy spend. Engaging with an energy auditing organisation means you’ll have qualified and registered experts on hand to review and guide the process right the way through to full SECR compliance. If you would like help with your submission, or you are uncertain whether SECR applies to your organisation, contact us to speak with one of our energy consultants.

Do you need to comply with TM44 Air Conditioning regulation?

Any building that has air conditioning units for comfort cooling with a total cooling output greater than 12kW is required to undertake an inspection every five years, or risk a fine. The regulation was introduced to ensure that air conditioning systems operate efficiently. Although you may have your air conditioning system serviced regularly, it is unlikely to cover the scope of the TM44 survey, and so whilst it’s good practice to service the system, you will need to engage with a specialist for the TM44 survey.

Zenergi’s technical division has a team dedicated to managing TM44 inspections. If you need to arrange an inspection, or are unsure whether the regulation applies to your building, click on the below button to find out more.

TM44

National Grid ESO announces 2019/2020 Triads

The winter 2019/2020 Triads have been published, that is the three highest half-hour periods of electricity demand between November and February that are more than ten days apart. These three periods are used by National Grid ESO to determine TNUoS demand charges for customers with half-hourly meters. The triads occurred on 18 November 17:00 – 17:30; 2 December 17:00 – 17:30; 17 December 16:30 – 1700.

Energy cost rises to 'green the grid'

The UK has been a leader in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, with a 42% reduction since 1990. This has primarily been achieved by ‘greening the electricity grid’, such as getting rid of coal plant power stations and installing wind turbines. This has been supported by government levies on natural gas, and especially electricity, which has therefore increased energy costs.

The recent budget announced changes to climate levies to further support the journey to net-zero. It was announced that, while Climate Change Levy (CCL) will be frozen for electricity from 2021, it will continue to increase on natural gas. Meanwhile, between now and 2021 CCL on electricity will increase by 1 pence per kilowatt-hour.

What can you do to protect against the continued increases?
Wholesale electricity and gas prices recently reached their lowest point in a decade. Reduced industrial consumption as a result of COVID-19 measures is supporting the low prices, however, some suppliers are reluctant to price for long-term contracts so it is worth acting quickly. It is also worth considering investments in alternative heating systems, such as biomass boilers and air source or ground source heating systems. The budget revealed incentives to decarbonise heat, with a low carbon heat scheme. SALIX funding is available to support such investments and we are happy to support applications. See below for details about our webinar on the topic of funding.

Resources

Our new resource pack aims to help keep children entertained during the closure period

Many will be facing the challenge of keeping children entertained at home for an unknown period of time. Each week we’ll post a new fun and educational activity targeted at KS1 pupils. Share photos using the hashtags
#homeschool #zenergischool to let us see the activities in action.

Worksheets

Energy freedom: The cheapest kWh is the one you don’t use

A webinar co-presented with Minerva Procurement took listeners on a 30-minute journey to a more sustainable future, with a reduced carbon footprint and, ultimately, lower energy bills.

A proactive approach to replacing power-hungry fixtures may be less costly than you think and will offer immediate cost savings in energy consumption. After all, the cheapest kWh is the one you don’t use.

Webinar

Events

Of course, our usual busy events schedule is currently on hold! We do love to get around and meet with our customers – take a look at our new events page to see what we’ve got booked and get the latest updates on postponements and cancellations.

Meanwhile, we are launching a mini webinar series to allow you to take 15 minutes out of your day to catch up on some key issues. Register to watch them live, or to catch up with the recording when you’re ready.

22 April 11.00 – 11.15
Energy saving while your school is closed or operating reduced hours – with live Q&A

6 May 11.00 – 11.15
Water update: What is happening to water prices in your area?

13 May 11.00 – 11.15
What funding is available to ‘green’ your school and reduce your energy costs?

Events

Community News

Amongst all the disruption caused by COVID-19 there are many positives to be seen in communities coming together. We wanted to take a moment to share what some of the Zenergi family have been doing to help others within their community.

Sangha, a Complex Query Specialist from our Stourbridge office has signed up as a volunteer with the NHS. His volunteer role sees him calling people who are feeling lonely so that he can lend a friendly ear and conversation!

Michelle, one of our Regional Account Managers in the Basingstoke area, has volunteered in her rural community to do shopping for those who are unable to get out for groceries and made a delivery just the other day! She is also an NHS Volunteer!

Gill, our Compliance Manager in the Gloucester office, donated over 200 puzzles to a local care home in Gloucester to keep the residents entertained. Brilliant!

Ready, set, grow!

Enter our sunflower growing competition by requesting your free seeds here with your name, site name, and postcode. We’ll send the seeds to you by 24th April (post permitting!) and then the race is on to see who can grow the tallest sunflower before 7th August! Share your sunflower photos – be that at school, or at home – on social media using the hashtag #readyzengrow.
Closing date to request your free seeds: 17th April