BURY businesses can now access a new energy auditing service to help them cut waste, increase efficiency and boost profits.

The new initiative is provided by Bolton and Bury Chamber's energy service providers Utility Auditing Ltd.

And it has been launched in the light of government research which shows that up to 20 per cent of energy used by businesses is wasted.

The Government estimates that UK industry could save £10 billion per year on its total annual bill by improving energy efficiency.

Thanks to government funding, the energy audits are free to those companies spending in excess of £50,000 per year on energy.

Says Jeff Wealands, managing director for Utility Auditing: "Companies need to have an energy policy in the same way as they need a policy for health and safety. Energy saving is also a means of winning and retaining contracts with larger firms who increasingly demand that their suppliers demonstrate green credentials."

He added: "Through our brokering services, we can help firms cut costs by purchasing energy at the lowest cost .

"This is only part of the equation, however, and companies can reduce their overheads even further by identifying opportunities to reduce energy output via an energy audit.

"With the arrival of the Climate Change Levy, the need to pay less for energy and reduce consumption has never been more pressing."

Audits are carried out by Utility Auditing's energy audit manager, Martin Holmes, a chartered electrical engineer, who has more than 25 years experience of advising businesses on energy efficiency.

For more information, contact Kathryn Czaja on 01204 374691.