Whitecode Consulting Practising What it Preaches

Taking advantage of the very latest innovations in technology, the mechanical and electrical consultancy firm not only helps clients meet sustainability targets and cut down carbon emissions, it also puts strict measures in place to ensure it reduces its own environmental impact, too.

This is especially important with the UK’s target of net zero by 2050 rapidly approaching; and reports that suggest the built environment accounts for around 26% of the UK’s total carbon emissions.

Keen to consolidate its position as one of the built environment’s leaders in sustainability, Whitecode Consulting has recently refurbished and upgraded its main office in Northfleet, Kent. The aim of the refurbishment was to reduce the building’s energy usage to zero.

With the building dating back to the 1800s and located in a conservation area, many of the alterations were incredibly limited. Indeed, the majority of the building façade couldn’t be improved or amended. So, the M&E consultants looked at ways the building’s carbon emissions could be reduced, and the EPC rating improved, without drastically altering the property exterior.

One of the ways in which this was achieved was through the utilisation of building controls. Through this, the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting were all fully automated and configured to activate and shut off based on occupancy, the time of day, and external temperatures.

The roof insulation was also upgraded to further improve the building’s EPC rating. This was especially pertinent given it only had an EPC rating of E when the building was purchased in 2020. This has since risen to EPC rating D and is expected to rise further as the building’s sustainability processes are improved and streamlined.

Additionally, the company plans to decommission its gas boiler and replace it with an air source heat pump to move away from fossil fuels. This will see the building’s carbon footprint decrease, along with the company’s energy bills. Furthermore, by filtering the air and dehumidifying the surrounding environment, the air source heat pump will improve the air quality in the building, enhancing occupant health and wellbeing.

With a desire to reduce carbon emissions while positively impacting energy usage, Whitecode Consulting installed solar panels on the roof. Able to generate around 62kWh of electricity per day on average, the solar panels are reducing the firm’s reliance on the National Grid, minimising the building’s carbon footprint, and increasing the property’s value. The solar panel data is shown by a live feed in the company’s Rec Room, enabling all staff to see how much energy is being produced.

Alongside the building refurbishment work, the company has provided ongoing training and education to its staff on the benefits of energy efficiency and reducing the firm’s carbon footprint. As a result, staff have been encouraged to switch off computers overnight and reduce unnecessary printing to save energy.

Thanks to the sustainability processes and practices, the carbon footprint per employee has reduced from 0.69 tonnes per person in 2021 to 0.46 tonnes per person in 2024. The company aims to be net zero by 2042.

The firm has also made a commitment to monitor and report on the sustainability performance of the company as a whole, enabling it to investigate options to reduce carbon emissions year on year.

Keen to walk the walk, as well as talk the talk, Managing Director Alex Hill will also be building his own net zero home. His current house will be demolished later this month, so make sure you’re following Alex on his LinkedIn profile to keep up-to-date on the progress.