Astral Web Ltd
Unit C Hills Barn,
Apuldram Lane South,
Chichester,
West Sussex,
PO20 7EG

Tel: 01243 539193
Fax: 07970 632239

There are a number of tax-efficient funding options available for our clients from government funding to our own finance packages.

Purchasing options

If your business only requires one or two smart meter installations we recommend our purchasing option. This allows you to own your fully installed smart meter / data logger which you can order here.

There is a per meter point charge for data services to be paid annually in advance, this gives you access to our easy-to-view online analytical software. The data services contract may be cancelled by giving 3 months notice in writing, prior to the anniversary of contract renewal date.

If your business' combined utility bills are more than around ₤10,000 per annum then you may be eligible for a free interest loan and tax break currently available from UK government schemes. These schemes help UK businesses to invest in energy efficient technology and processes such as smart meters, low energy lighting, heat pumps, automated controls / sensors etc.

Carbon savings from being energy efficient are pre-calculated and it’s possible to pay back the interest free loans with the money you save on energy by employing these energy efficient processes. The loan will effectively pay for itself. The payback period for most business energy efficiency projects is normally less than 3 years.

These loans are available to companies that don’t fall under the Carbon Reduction Commitment – this typically equates to those that spend less than £500,000 a year on electricity.

To be able to qualify for an interest free loan, your business must fulfil these criteria:

• Private sector
• Trading for at least 12 months
• Based in UK
• Less than 250 full time equivalent employees
• Less than €50m Turnover (approximately £43m) and/or less than €43m assets (approximately £37m)
• No controlling interest of more than 25% by a non-SME

For more information contact Emma Thomas on emmat@astralweb.co.uk or 01243 539193.

Rental options

Our rental option spreads the cost of your installed smart meter / data logger over a 3 or 5 year period and includes meter maintenance and the per meter charge for data services.

For more information contact Emma Thomas on emmat@astralweb.co.uk or 01243 539193.

For a limited time there are interest free loans available to the English public sector bodies (over £50 million) to help enable them to invest in energy efficient technology and the loans do not require match funding, which can be used on your smart metering system/s.

The English public sector bodies include Local Authorities, Schools, Higher and Further Education Institutions, NHS Foundation Trusts, Central Government Departments etc

For more information contact Emma Thomas on emmat@astralweb.co.uk or 01243 539193.

Are you ready for the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) ?

Collate your 2008 usage for half hourly metered electricity, together with a list of your half hourly meters. The Environment Agency - who is administering the CRC - is currently in the process of contacting all UK billing addresses with settled half hourly meters and providing them with Qualification Packs, to determine whether they qualify for the scheme.

April 2010 - The Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme officially begins. This date will be used as both the start ot the 1st compliance year and the start of the 'Footprint Year'

April to September 2010 - This is the official 'Registration Period'

April 2011 - The 1st sale of allowances will take place in April 2011 and act as a 'Double Sale' to cover both the previous year emissions (actual), and the following year's emissions (forecasted)

July 2011 - Each organisation must submit their Footprint Report by July 2011 and allowances must be surrended by this time.

October 2011 - The 1st Recycling Payment will be made with companies receiving their allowances plus/minus the bonus/penalty payment depending on their performance in the league table