Alongside the environmental benefits, the installation means significant energy savings for Chilcotts: the energy generated is expected to contribute 33 percent of our electricity usage, with a payback period of around three years. These financial savings will enable us to grow and develop as an independent auction house.
This is the latest step in our move towards greater sustainability; other initiatives include changing to LED lighting throughout the premises; switching from a gas-fired radiator system to low energy electric heaters; replacing glossy printed auction catalogues with digital versions; and offering online valuations to cut down on car miles. In addition, by introducing a rostered four-day working week, we are reducing commuting miles.
Liz Chilcott explains how environmental aims are at the very heart of the business: “As auctioneers, sustainability is in our DNA – by selling pre-owned objects we are encouraging customers to reuse rather than buy new. We’ve actually calculated that the carbon impact of the pieces we sell can be as little as one sixteenth of the equivalent new item. Now, by providing access to the new EV charging points for customers - many of whom stay for at least 30 minutes when they visit our saleroom - we are also helping our buyers and sellers with their own carbon reduction journeys.”
Continuing Chilcotts’ journey to becoming carbon neutral, future plans include upgrading to an electric vehicle for client visits and making improvements to the insulation of the building, an historic 18th century coaching inn with bags of history and a prominent position in Honiton High Street.
Liz adds “Revitalising the premises is a highly sustainable project in itself. When we bought it, it had been vacant for six years and was in a poor, unsafe condition. It has been really satisfying to breathe new life into the building, ultimately helping to support employment in the area and attract more visitors to the town centre.”
