Retailers failing to capture and reuse their store’s waste heat might as well be burning their money, the Carbon Trust has warned.

Buildings of all shapes and sizes can slash their energy bills by adhering to a variety of measures outlined in its new guide to heat recovery, Richard Rugg, director of Carbon Trust Programmes, said.

He advised that supermarkets and convenience stores could use heat recovered from refrigeration units to provide 75-90% of their hot water needs – equivalent to 2 or 3% of their total CO2 emissions.

“Even though it has been slightly warmer outside, there’s still plenty of opportunity to make heat savings inside,” Rugg added. “Companies wasting heat are throwing money away. From office-based businesses to retailers and manufacturers, there are significant opportunities to recover and reuse heat, save money and boost your bottom line.”