We had the chance to catch up with Earl Holdswort from Laserweb, one of our small commercial clients. They specialise in laser cutting and run specialised, how powered machinery to do it.
Switching to renewable energy can feel daunting for any business, but Laserweb felt that their experience with ASK Renewables made the transition both smooth and rewarding. Earl, the director of Laserweb, was on a mission to cut his company’s growing energy bills. What started as a search for cost savings turned into a win-win for the environment and the business.
Earl’s decision was influenced early on by Tony, one of our directors at ASK Renewables. Tony’s hands-on involvement left a lasting impression on Earl. “Tony’s been down twice. How many directors come down onto jobs twice?” Earl asked, clearly appreciating the commitment. We were really pleased how Earl felt— Tony’s visits reassured Earl that ASK Renewables was deeply invested in making sure this was the right move for Laserweb.
One of the things that really stood out to Earl was how straightforward the process was. We focused on what mattered most to him. “All I was bothered about were three key elements: what it’s going to cost, what it’s going to take to ROI, and what it’s going to generate in the first year,” Earl shared. We broke it down in a way that made sense and didn’t overwhelm him with (as far as he was concerned) “Other company’s headaches”.
The biggest win for Earl? The massive savings. Before installing the solar and battery storage system, Laserweb’s monthly energy bills hovered around £800 and Post-installation, it’s a different story. “I’m now paying between 35 and 200 quid,” Earl shared, impressed by the significant drop in costs. Running multiple heavy machines like lasers and compressors, this reduction made a big impact on the company’s bottom line. As Earl said, “Every bit of energy in this factory is free. It’s coming from its own [solar power].”
In terms of return on investment (ROI), Earl calculated that the system would pay for itself in about four years. “It’s going to take about four years just on [savings],” he said. That’s a timeline any business could appreciate. Earl even likened it to putting money in a bank with a 5% interest rate: “It’s an no-brainer to me. Money, well invested.”
Beyond the impressive savings, Earl couldn’t say enough good things about the team at ASK Renewables. The entire installation process was quick and minimally disruptive. “The only time I knew they were here was when they needed me to say, ‘Look, can we do this? Can we do that?’… They were brilliant,” Earl explained, praising the professionalism of the team. In fact, he trusted ASK Renewables so much that he paid them before the job was even finished. “I paid them before they’d done the job. How many people would you do that in business with? You wouldn’t do it, would you?”
It wasn’t just about saving money, either. Earl found satisfaction in the environmental benefits, too. The app provided by ASK Renewables even tracks how many trees have been saved through their solar system. “I’m not saying let’s sell it on that, but it’s still a great bonus,” Earl said, recognising the value in the company’s eco-friendly efforts.
For Earl, it all added up to a fantastic experience. Lower bills, a fast ROI, minimal hassle, and the chance to be greener — what’s not to like? “It’s a no-brainer. It’s got to be done,” he said confidently.
If your business is looking to cut costs and do its part for the environment, take it from Earl’s experience — ASK Renewables makes the whole process easy and rewarding.
Contact us today to see how we can help your business stay competitive.