The evidence for efficiency: Case studies on the real world impact of ETL-listed products
Discover how organisations across the UK are leveraging independently verified energy efficient technology
Across all sectors, organisations are facing increasing pressure to curb energy consumption, manage rising costs and demonstrate tangible progress towards Net Zero. The ETL supports these objectives by providing a database of independently verified products that meet rigorous energy performance criteria. Backed by the UK government, the list features technologies typically within the top 25% in their market for energy efficiency.
By selecting ETL-listed products, organisations can move forward with confidence, knowing they are investing in high performing equipment designed to achieve real world results.
Our case studies illustrate how these products are applied, in diverse settings, from community hubs and hospitality to healthcare and large commercial estates, delivering measurable energy and cost savings.
Smarter heating control in a community facility: HeatingSave delivers a 51% reduction in gas bills
The Coplow Centre in Billesdon, Leicestershire
The Coplow Centre, a multi-functional community facility in Billesdon, Leicestershire, welcomes more than 24,000 visitors annually. Managing heating across its hall, meeting rooms and kitchen was previously a costly and inefficient process, characterised by long heat-up times and limited control.
In 2015, HeatingSave installed an ETL-listed HVAC building control system to coordinate the centre’s boiler, radiant heater and solar installation. The system integrates heating schedules with room bookings, utilises occupancy sensors and employs self–learning software to optimise temperatures.
The results
The implementation led to a 51% saving on gas bills, representing a significant reduction in operational overheads. Furthermore, the heat–up time for the main hall was reduced by 90%, ensuring the facility remains comfortable for users while drastically cutting wasted energy.
"We have now had HeatingSave for eight years and have made a 51% saving on our gas bill," explained Facilities Manager, Simon Keast.
You can find the HeatingSave system and other comparable technologies under the HVAC Building Controls product category on the ETL.
See how better heating control reduced waste in the full case study.
Modernising hospitality: Rhino bottle coolers deliver significant energy savings for Greene King
Greene King’s Punch and Judy pub, Covent Garden, London
Greene King manages an extensive estate of approximately 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels, including the Punch and Judy in London’s Covent Garden. To address rising electricity costs, the venue replaced its older bottle coolers in 2022 with eight ETL-listed Rhino units. These cabinets consume just 0.81 kWh per 24 hours, representing a substantial improvement over the 4.71 kWh consumed by the previous generation of equipment.
The Results
The switch to Rhino coolers has resulted in an annual saving of £2,500, based on an electricity cost of 25 pence per unit. Beyond immediate utility savings, the energy efficient components are designed to last significantly longer, with fan lifespans increasing from four to eight years. This durability is projected to save approximately £300 in service call-out fees over the life of the appliance, while also reducing the carbon footprint associated with maintenance travel and administrative overheads.
"For Greene King, the savings and enhanced performance of Rhino coolers have made a significant impact across their extensive estate." explained Sales Director Naomi Wynn.
Rhino products can be found on the ETL under Staycold’s listings within the Refrigeration Equipment product category.
Read the full case study to learn how kitchen efficiency improved.
Optimising kitchen ventilation: Quintex achieves 69% energy reduction for Wetherspoon’s
The Jack Fairman pub, Horley
J D Wetherspoon, one of the UK’s most prominent pub chains, operates over 800 sites, many of which are located in historic or complex buildings. At the Jack Fairman in Horley, the company sought to tackle the high energy demand of commercial kitchen ventilation, where extractor fans often run at full capacity regardless of actual need. To address this, the pub installed the ETL-listed CHEETAH DCKV system, which uses temperature and optical sensors to adjust fan speeds based on real-time demand.
The Results
The implementation of the CHEETAH system has delivered an annual energy saving of 36,167 kWh and a 69% reduction in fan energy consumption. For the Jack Fairman, this equates to a cost saving of £9,041 per year and an 8.1 tonnes reduction in carbon emissions, with the initial investment recovered in just 1.88 years. Following this success, the technology was rolled out across 654 J D Wetherspoon sites, collectively saving over 7 million kWh and £1.47 million annually.
"While Cheetah typically achieves a 50–60% reduction in fan energy use, this site exceeded expectations with an impressive 69% reduction," noted a spokesperson from Quintex.
Quintex’ CHEETAH system and other energy efficient solutions are available under the HVAC Building Controls category on the ETL.
Explore how smarter building controls reduced consumption in the full case study.
Intelligent combustion: Autoflame reduces emissions and costs for the NHS and the Leadenhall Building
The Leadenhall Building boiler after the refit
Autoflame, a specialist in combustion management, recently implemented its ETL-listed Retrofit Burner Control Systems in two contrasting environments: an NHS hospital in the west of England and the iconic Leadenhall Building in London’s financial district. Both sites required urgent upgrades to ageing or unreliable boiler plants to improve energy efficiency, ensure compliance with emissions standards and lower substantial fuel bills. By installing the Mini Mk8 MM micro-modulating controllers, both organisations achieved precise fuel-to-air ratios and enhanced system reliability.
The Results
The NHS hospital achieved a 7.03% saving in fuel costs, amounting to £9,605 annually, while reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by over 59% to meet strict regulatory requirements. At the Leadenhall Building, the upgrade delivered an annual energy saving of £60,000 and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 180 tonnes per year, achieving a full return on investment in just two years. The success at Leadenhall has since been adopted as a blueprint for other commercial sites, earning Autoflame the 2023 BGIS Global Supplier Innovation Award.
"The upgrade vastly exceeded expectations, reaching ROI in under two years and delivering energy savings of £60,000," noted Billy Huggett, Director at Autoflame Service & Support.
The Autoflame Mini Mk8 MM and other high-efficiency combustion technologies are listed within the Boiler Retrofit equipment category on the ETL.
Read the full case study to find out how burner efficiency improved.
Supporting NHS procurement: Hobart’s ETL verification secures place on the Evergreen framework
Hobart, a global manufacturer of Professional Foodservice Equipment (PFSE), became the first brand to list dishwashers on the ETL to demonstrate their sustainability credentials. Unlike many other appliances, professional dishwashers in the UK are not currently covered by Ecodesign or Energy Labelling regulations, making it difficult for buyers to verify energy performance claims. By securing a place on the ETL, Hobart provided independent, government-backed proof that its undercounter and hood-type dishwashers rank within the top 25% of the market for energy efficiency.
The Results
This independent verification proved vital during the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment, a framework required for companies tendering for NHS contracts. By referencing its ETL-listed products, Hobart successfully demonstrated alignment with the NHS Net Zero goals, overcoming the lack of standard industry energy labels. This has not only secured Hobart’s place on the Evergreen framework for future hospital contracts but also provides clear signposting for purchasers concerned with rising operational costs.
"The ETL enables Hobart to clearly signpost independently verified energy efficient dishwashers. Hobart’s commitment to the ETL scheme complements our overarching sustainability objectives," noted a spokesperson from Hobart.
You can find Hobart’s range and other efficient catering equipment under the Professional Foodservice Equipment category on the ETL.
See how ETL-listing supported procurement in the full case study.
Sustainable cooling in demanding conditions: Victor provides high efficiency refrigeration for East Riding Leisure Beverley
One of the Maxiline ECO+ units installed at East Riding Leisure Beverly
East Riding Leisure Beverley faced significant operational challenges due to high ambient temperatures and humidity in its catering areas, which compromised the performance of standard refrigerated displays. To resolve this, the centre installed units from Victor’s Maxiline ECO+ range. These products are specifically designed to operate efficiently in climate class 7 conditions, up to 35°C and 70% humidity, making them suitable for demanding environments, such as the one at Beverly leisure centre.
The Results
The installation successfully stabilised refrigeration temperatures despite the challenging environment, ensuring product freshness and reducing the need for frequent replenishment. The units have proven highly economical, with a recorded energy consumption of just 0.140 kWh per hour. At an electricity cost of 22.1p/kWh, the daily running cost is approximately 73 pence per unit. Beyond energy savings, the centre reported a notable increase in "grab and go" sales, attributed to the equipment's sleek aesthetic and operator–friendly design.
"The overall combination of enhanced technology, functionality and reliable operation has made a positive impact on the leisure centre’s operational efficiency and user experience," explained Sean Snowden, R&D at Victor.
Victor’s Maxiline ECO+ range and comparable high efficiency units can be found within the Refrigeration Equipment product category on the ETL.
Read the full case study to find out how catering costs were reduced.
From "Kitchen of the Future" to proven efficiency: Adande helps Whitbread reduce energy use by 46%
Whitbread’s “Kitchen of the Future” at Oxford Beefeater
Whitbread Plc, the group behind brands such as Beefeater and Premier Inn, utilised its Oxford Beefeater restaurant as a "Kitchen of the Future" trial site to test all–electric, sustainable infrastructure. A critical component of this project was the installation of Adande’s ETL-listed refrigerated drawer units. These were selected to replace traditional undercounter cabinets, which often suffer from slow access times and significant "cold air drop" whenever doors are opened in a high–volume environment.
The Results
The transition to Adande’s modular drawer system delivered a 46% reduction in refrigeration energy consumption. Beyond the energy savings, the design improved operational productivity by saving an estimated four hours of staff time per day across the kitchen due to faster ingredient access. Furthermore, the precise temperature control reduced food waste by minimising meat shrinkage and maintaining ideal storage conditions for delicate items.
"Adande has delivered far beyond reliable refrigeration. We've helped Whitbread achieve a 46% average energy reduction, which translates to substantial cost savings and a dramatically smaller carbon footprint," noted Karl Hodgson, Adande’s Managing Director.
Adande’s range of flexible drawer units and other high-performance cooling solutions can be found in the Refrigeration Equipment product category.
See how the kitchens performed in the full case study.
Tackling inefficient energy consumption in student accommodation: Prefect Controls’ Irus system saves nearly 50%
The Refinery purpose built student accommodation in Leeds
Curlew Capital installed the ETL-listed Irus system at its Leeds student development to tackle inefficient heating use, which accounted for 73% of the site's total electricity. By deploying the Building Energy Management System (BeMS) via existing electrical wiring, the project achieved centralised approach to heating regulation without the need for disruptive new cabling or data infrastructure.
The Results
The implementation halved heating energy consumption, delivering nearly £70,000 in annual savings and a projected return on investment in just over three years. Alongside significant carbon reductions, the Irus system provides managers with detailed occupancy and humidity data to support ESG reporting and prevent energy waste when rooms are unoccupied or windows are left open.
"To see a 50% reduction in heating load and close to £70K saved in year one is phenomenal. These results highlight just how effective the Irus system has been," noted Kristian Mills, Director of Asset Management at Curlew Capital.
The Prefect Controls Irus system and other comparable technologies are available under the HVAC Building Controls product category on the ETL.
Discover how centralised controls reduced consumption in the full case study
Next Steps
If you are looking to enhance the efficiency of your own projects or wish to showcase your technology to a wider audience, consider the following resources:
Explore product categories: Browse thousands of verified products, from high performance motors to professional refrigeration, on the ETL.
List your products: If you are a manufacturer of energy efficient technologies, the ETL is a free and simple way to make your products and credentials visible to purchasers across the UK. Read our Manufacturers’ Guide, watch our short video , or contact the ETL team to learn more about the verification process and how to get your products listed.
Spotlight your technology: We encourage manufacturers with equipment listed on the ETL to contact the team and discuss the development of a future case study, providing a valuable platform to demonstrate proven performance to purchasers.