As businesses attempt to keep their costs down amid the recession, many are making do and mending their old equipment, rather than replacing it, which could see them spending extra on their
gas and electricity bills, it has been revealed.
A report by the Carbon Trust has found that 52 per cent of firms do not have the finances needed to upgrade their appliances.
Furthermore, 60 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses wait until their equipment has completely broken down before they consider replacing it.
However such action is costing companies £3.3 billion a year in wasted energy, the Carbon Trust claims.
It has now launched the Big Business Refit, which aims to help organisations achieve energy efficiency in the workplace by replacing old equipment with that which is cheaper to run and more eco-friendly.
Commenting on the scheme, Dragons' Den's Theo Paphitis said: "The Big Business Refit calls on all UK businesses to scour their premises for old equipment, from air conditioning, to fridges, compressors to factory machinery."
Firms are advised by the Energy Saving Trust that simple moves such as turning off computers when not in use can result in
cheaper electricity bills.
