Soaring energy prices have made firms sit up and pay attention to ways they can cut their consumption, says energy consultant Lionel Tibble.

He has arrived at a fish restaurant in West Byfleet, Surrey, to carry out an energy survey on behalf of the Carbon Trust.

"Any increase in energy costs has an immediate impact on a business's profitability," says Mr Tibble.

It is a very big concern, but any organisation that is able to cut their demand for energy can put the savings straight on to their bottom line."

The businessman who is hoping to benefit from reduced bills is Michael Rhodes, managing director of Rhodes Food Ltd.

He owns seven restaurants across the county, and has seen his energy costs more than double in recent years. This year's gas and electricity bills total £58,700.

Under a scheme operated by the Carbon Trust, a government-funded organisation, British firms that spend more than £50,000 a year on energy are eligible for a free energy survey.

With his gas bill set to increase by a further £10,000 over the next 12 months, Mr Rhodes is very keen to cut costs.

"Energy has become one of the expenses we really have to keep an eye on," he says.

"I have taken energy-saving measures as far as I felt I could on my own, and I wanted to capitalise on the specialist knowledge available."

Before arriving at the largest Superfish restaurant in Mr Rhodes' chain, Mr Tibble studied a range of documents to build an energy profile, including a number of monthly meter readings.

"Looking at the data," explains Mr Tibble, "gives you so much information and so many clues as to where you can make savings.

"So, the important thing is to make sure you get regular, accurate readings. The only way to guarantee this is to read the meter yourself."

Otherwise, he says, any signs of a reduction in energy use could be lost: "It is not unusual for energy providers to issue invoices based on estimates covering a period of six months or more, and you cannot use that data to make any worthwhile conclusions."