ECA
Funding & Grants for Air
Conditioning Systems
Faq's - Frequently Asked Questions about Air
Conditioning Inspection procedures and techniques. See What
Systems Require Inspection as part of the EPC for
commercial property. This section explains about funding
provided by the UK Government to help replace old plant
with new energy efficient heating, cooling and air
conditioning equipment.
Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA)
If
your system is ageing it will become more energy
in-efficient, consequently your operating costs may rise
through increased energy usage and higher maintenance
charges.
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ECA Grant for Business The
Government has launched a scheme to help local
businesses and companies improve their efficiency
by introducing a scheme whereby capital equipment
can be purchased with tax incentives that help
reduce the cost of the air conditioning plant and
associated controls for its operation. |
The
scheme applies to companies who meet the criteria for
applying for the grant.
Financial
Benefits
The
benefits for a business or company extend to:
"100 per cent first-year Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) allow the full cost of an investment in designated energy-saving plant and machinery to be written off against the taxable profits of the period in which the investment is made. The general rate of capital allowances for spending on plant and machinery is 20% a year on the reducing balance basis."
The
scheme was launched in 2001 to encourage businesses to invest in low carbon, energy-saving equipment
as part of their business operation. The Energy Technology List (ETL) has been updated every year as part of the Government’s Budget
cycle, and includes new technologies every year.
Currently the programme allows for tax savings on the
following types of equipment:
In
addition assistance in the form of a grant can be
obtained for the following energy efficient
technologies:
-
Burners with controls
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Sequence controls
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Heat Pumps: Air source split and
multi-split (inc VRF)
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Heat Pumps: Ground source brine to water
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Heat Pumps: Water source split and
multi-split (inc VRF)
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Overhead Radiant Heaters
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Refrigeration: Air Cooled Condensing Units
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Packaged Chillers
Claiming
an ECA Grant
An
air conditioning assessor will be able to provide
further information about claims and whether your
company can qualify for a grant under the scheme.
New
& Existing Plant Criteria
It
should be noted that an application under the scheme
does not include all types of plant, however significant
cost savings can be achieved by selection of the
"approved" equipment in the schedules provided
by the ECA.
For
example:
"The criteria can be used to specify a range of features that are required for a particular installation. Thus contractors, designers and consultants will be obliged to use only the most energy-efficient products and designs."
Note
that:
"Only products that have met the ETCL criteria are eligible for an ECA claim. By specifying at an early stage that the eligibility criteria must be met in any installation design, you will ensure that your energy costs are minimised – good for business and good for the environment."
For
further information refer to: www.eca.gov.uk/etl
Find
an Assessor (Inspector)
Companies, Contactors and Surveyors of Air-Con Systems
for energy assessment purposes as part of an EPC
certificate can be located in our Directory,
in many cases you can locate a suitably qualified
assessor near to your local area. If you are in doubt as
to whether an inspection is required as part of the
legislation seek professional advice. You may be subject
to a penalty or
a fine for
non-compliance with the regulations.
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Did You Know? - Climate Control Systems could make
your Heating and Ventilating system run more
efficiently, saving your business money. |
Air
Conditioning Service and Repair
Refer
also to Air
Conditioning for further details regarding Refrigeration, cooling, design, engineers, service, installation, maintenance, repairs, inspection, installers,
Refrigeration and Cooling, Variable Refrigerant Volume/Flow Systems VRV VRF, Heat Recovery, Ducted Systems, Climate Control Systems, upgrades of New and Existing Air Conditioning HVAC Heating Ventilation plant (AHU) Air Handling Units and controls.
