Clean bill of health for city’s community healthcare buildings

The energy efficiency of Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust’s buildings has been analysed by the PCT working with the University of Wolverhampton and Ingham Diagnostic Energy Assessors (IDEA) Ltd.

Under recent legislation, public buildings above a certain size have to hold up-to-date Display Energy Certificates (DECs) which must be on public display. These show the actual energy usage of the building and a rating to indicate its energy efficiency and have to be renewed annually.

The PCT turned to energy-assessment specialists, Ingham Diagnostic Energy Assessors (IDEA) Ltd, based in Longden near Shrewsbury, to audit its premises which include health centres across the city, as well as Penn and West Park Rehabilitation hospitals.

The company was supported by the university’s Institute for Innovation and Enterprise in a review of its own marketing and development strategy. This project included considering the needs of NHS premises for accurate and effective reviews of energy use and assessment. Using the support provided through an innovation voucher, IDEA reviewed its approach to developing new business by concentrating on the needs of potential customers.

The audit, conducted at the end of 2009, found that most of the buildings were quite close to the average energy use by these types of buildings. However, a couple were found to show above average levels of energy consumption and advisory reports recommended the PCT to investigate ways in which energy usage could be reduced.

Nigel Ingham, Director of IDEA Ltd, said: “Display energy certificates give positive proof of the energy efficiency of public buildings. We have been very pleased to see the efforts of Wolverhampton City PCT in developing energy efficient systems and have been able to confirm the high standard of compliance with requirements.”

Bob Perry, Manager, Property and Development Services for Wolverhampton City PCT, said: “The requirement for display energy certificates means that we must be certain not just in the standards of our buildings but in the skills and knowledge of the energy assessors we use.

“IDEA Ltd clearly understood our needs and their expertise means we are fully confident in complying with these important requirements. The advisory reports provided on our buildings will be very useful also in helping us to plan for the future and support our efforts to ensure energy is used as efficiently as possible.”

Paul Harris, Business Consultant at the University of Wolverhampton’s Institute for Innovation and Enterprise, who worked with IDEA Ltd, added: “The award of an Innovation voucher has enabled us to support the company in developing their forward thinking approach to energy efficiency and we are confident that the expertise Nigel has shown in this area can benefit many other businesses faced with the need for assessments of their own premises.”

In addition to carrying out Display Energy Certificate (DECs) in public buildings, IDEA Ltd is experienced in carrying out commercial and domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) as well as producing on construction EPCs required when buildings are constructed. Nigel Ingham set up the business with his wife, Jackie, almost three years ago at the time of the introduction of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive. The aim of this legislation is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions which is the main gas involved in climate change.

Furhter information

Picture: The presentation of one of the Display Energy Certificates. Pictured from left to right are Nigel Ingham, Director of IDEA Ltd, Bob Perry, Property and Development Services for Wolverhampton City PCT and Paul Harris, Business Consultant at the University of Wolverhampton’s Institute for Innovation and Enterprise

Note to editors

Innovation vouchers are funded by Advantage West Midlands and allow small and medium sized companies to gain support from one of the universities in the West Midlands in developing innovative ideas and projects. University of Wolverhampton is an active partner in the scheme and works with a variety of companies in the region.

Display Energy Certificates relate to public buildings over a 1000m2 in floor area.

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736