MOST small businesses would probably say they were too busy doing the essentials to worry about saving the world.

However, mention that it could increase their profitability and ears would certainly prick up.

Energy efficiency is not as glamourous as landing a big new client, but it can have the same effect on the bottom line, month in and month out.

Advisors from the Action Energy organisation believe they can save a company one fifth of its fuel bill without changing the quality of life for its employees.

Suggestions can be as simple as cleaning light fittings and removing bulbs that are not needed.

During the past year, David Morgan, project co-ordinator of Action Energy, estimates he has given advice to 250 small North-East businesses, which could have saved them a total of £300,000 if each suggestion was carried out.

In the North, this equates to millions of pounds every year being wasted and tonnes of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere to fuel global warming.

Action Energy is funded through the Carbon Trust, which is charged with helping the Government meet its international obligations for reducing carbon emissions to aid the environment, but uses the financial aspects to encourage greater interest.

Mr Morgan said: "We relate it as much to the bottom line as the environment. The crucial issue here is that, very often, energy costs are seen as fixed costs and that is not true. There are things we can do to reduce energy costs.

"We are not about asking people to change their energy supplier, we are more about making long-term, permanent savings through environmental measures."

Some of the simplest ways of saving money and energy include turning off lights when no one is in the room, turning off equipment that is not being used, avoiding having heaters blasting out near open windows and other common sense measures.

Switching from ordinary tungsten bulbs to compact fluorescents can save 75 per cent of the energy used, and the bulbs will pay for themselves in six months.

Labelling switches and zoning lights allows workers to turn off those they do not need, such as lights near windows on bright days.

Firms wanting to go further can install devices that reduce energy consumption such as push-taps for hot water, motion-sensors for lighting or timer-switches in bathrooms and corridors.

More expensive items such as cavity wall insulation or double glazing must be evaluated on a cost/benefit basis.

One of the most cost-effective large measures is roof insulation.

Having staff on your side is the best way to save energy. If the staff are aware and helpful, then big cuts in usage can be made.

Mr Morgan said: "There is often a relationship between encouraging people to be energy-efficient in their own homes and making them aware of what is going on in the workplace.

"Those that are aware at home are often in the workplace as well.

"If people know what the economics are and know that they relate to the profitability of the company and the number of jobs it can sustain, it becomes a more personal issue."

* Action Energy carries out free energy assessments. Call 0800 585794.

* Mr Morgan can be contacted on (01642) 373027. His Yorkshire counterpart, Owen Daggett, is on (01904) 656769.

* Domestic energy-saving advice is available by phoning 0800 512012.

Published: 02/12/2003