Businesses have been urged to switch to biomass boilers for heating in order to cut their energy costs and reduce their carbon emissions.
The Carbon Trust, set up by the government to accelerate the move toward a low carbon economy, published a report informing businesses that biomass heating costs significantly less than oil, gas and electricity.
It has published a Practical Guide to small-scale waste-to-energy and wood-fired heating systems, with the latter estimated to produce electricity at between two and four pence less per kilowatt hour than heating oil.
"We've become so reliant on oil, gas and electricity that many businesses just aren't aware of the cost and carbon benefits of turning to biomass for their heating supply," said Mark Williamson, director of innovations at the Carbon Trust.
He added: "Heating presently accounts for almost half (49 per cent) of the UK's carbon emissions. Biomass typically offers carbon reductions of around 90 per cent relative to fossil fuel heating systems. "
The government has set a target of cutting the UK's carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
