In this section we will post news, comment and advice on developing a more environmentally friendly ‘green’ business.
The RHI (Renewable Heating Incentive) scheme which was announced in March this year will pay anything from 1.6p – 9p per KWH for heat & electricity generated by renewable means, even if this is only for your own use. It will not only save money in heating costs over the years but could pay anything up to £2,500 – £4,000 a year for a Self-catering business heating 3 – 5 units all year round. The scheme applies to Ground source & air source heat pumps, solar thermal & biomass fuelled boilers installed after April 2009 and at present the scheme is set to run for 15 years. More information can be seen on http://www.rhincentive.co.uk/.
In addition, with the old FHL rules staying be in place you are able to deduct the cost of “plant & machinery” from your Tax bill.
There are at the moment up to £50,000 interest free, 5 year loans available from the Energy Savings Trust.
We have just had word that the Scottish Government is going to introduce the Boiler scrappage scheme for Homeowners. (Though this will not apply to businesses many of us may be able to apply for our own houses.) This was introduced in England (and has now finished) but was never introduced in Scotland. This will pay up to £400 to renew any old G rated boiler and will be managed by the Energy Savings Trust.
Now is definitely the time to be looking into these incentives.
If Visit Scotland go ahead with their proposed “Scotland the Best” where it was suggested that, amongst others, Thistle Award holders and GTBS Gold Award holders would automatically be included, this should be a further incentive for ASSC Members to sign up to the GTBS and strive for a Gold Award.