May 13--Going green can save your company money as well as help the planet.

The Carbon Trust believes that most firms can slash 20 per cent off their energy bills without dipping into their pockets. The Government-backed body provides free advice and will visit premises to offer tips. It also provides interest-free loans for investing in eco-friendly work solutions. Bob Mavin, chief engineer at Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire, has cut 4,000 a year off his firm's energy bills by replacing its refrigeration system. The brewery employs 50 and makes beers such as Old Thumper, Bold Forester and Boondoggle. Bob, 50, says: "Before revamping our system, we spent 60,000 a year on energy bills.

Our new cooling system cuts down on waste and is more efficient. It reduces our annual carbon emissions by six tonnes a year." The brewery received an interest-free loan of 14,200 from the Carbon Trust to replace its ageing cooling system. The free energy audit is offered by the Carbon Trust for any business that has an energy bill of more than 50,000 a year. However, all firms can take advantage of its free advice. The trust also offers interest-free loans of up to 100,000 for any company that wants to install eco-friendly machinery. On average, offices waste 6,000 a year by leaving equipment on.

Turning up the thermostat by just one degree will see heating costs rocket by eight per cent. But simply checking the heating system works properly may save a company ten per cent. Hugh Jones of the Carbon Trust says: "Action does not need to be time-consuming or costly, and the benefits can be almost immediate."