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  • How to get the best commercial energy deal
  • What affects business energy prices?
  • What happens when your business energy contracts end?
  • How to compare business energy tariffs

How to get the best commercial energy deal

Business energy rates are constantly fluctuating and so finding the best gas and electricity tariffs for your business can take time and know-how you simply don’t have at your disposal – time and know-how our energy experts have in bucketloads.

Not only will our dedicated team look to get you the best deal, they’ll take you through the switching process step-by-step to make sure you don’t hit any snags – offering solutions to the potential prickly subjects of giving termination notice to your current provider and any objections that may arise as a result.

We don’t just look for the best price either, we also factor in those other features that make life a little bit easier, such as online billing and customer service, so you can be confident you’re getting the complete package.

And we won’t charge your business a penny, our service is completely free of charge.

All you have to do is let us know a few details, either by entering your details at the top of the page, or giving our experts a call on 0800 970 5494 and we’ll do the rest.

What affects business energy prices?

Business energy quotes vary between suppliers, each of which will offer you rates based on an assessment of your business that takes into account everything from energy consumption to business location.

When designing your business energy costs, supplier will consider:

  • The size of your business.
  • The industry it operates in.
  • Its average annual energy consumption.
  • Its location and number of sites.
  • The number of fuels you are being quoted for.
  • Your current supplier.
  • The length of contract that you need.

Your business energy bills pay can even be affected by things outside of both your control and the control of your supplier, such as a change in the wholesale cost of gas and electricity (the price your supplier pays for the energy it supplies to your business), a hike in taxes and environmental levies, and even an increase in demand.

If you're a large business that uses a lot of energy and is set across a number of locations, you might want a multi-site energy deal that puts everything on the one tariff to save both time and money.

As a large energy user, you'll also have to take on half-hourly metering - a system that provides accurate meter readings to your supplier every 30 minutes - as this is a requirement for all businesses with a maximum demand of at least 100kW in any half hour period.

To give you a rough idea of how much electricity your business should be using, and how much it should be paying in standing charges and unit costs, check out the table below:

Average business electricity usage and rates

Business Size Average annual usage (kWh) Average price (per kWh) Standing charge (daily) Average annual price
Micro business 5,000 - 15,000 13.0p - 13.5p 26.0p - 30.0pp £650 - £1,800
Small business 15,000 - 25,000 11.8p - 13.0p 24.0p - 26.0p £1,900 - £2,900
Medium business 25,000 - 50,000 11.3p - 13.0p 21.0p - 23.0p £3,300 - £5000

When it comes to commercial gas rates, you'll be put into a category determined by the size of your business, then pay monthly instalments to cover your estimated use. You'll also have to decide whether you want to be placed on a fixed or variable rate tariff.

To give you a rough idea of how much gas your business should be using, and how much it should be paying in standing charges and unit costs, check out the table below:

Average business gas usage and rates

Business Size Average annual usage (kWh) Average price (per kWh) Standing charge (daily) Average annual price
Micro business 5,000 - 15,000 4.1p - 4.5p 23.0p - 26.0p £300 - £700
Small business 15,000 - 30,000 3.8p - 4.0pp 21.0p - 22.0p £800 - £1,400
Medium business 30,000 - 65,000 3.5p - 3.7p 18.0p - 20.0p £1,500 - £2,000

There are so many variables at play when it comes to choosing your business energy provider, so it's a good idea to let the energy experts at UKPower take you through the entire switching process to make sure you're on the best deal.

What happens when your business energy contracts end?

If you don’t agree a new business energy deal before your current one ends, your supplier will automatically roll you onto one of its expensive out-of-contract rates. So it’s vital you compare tariffs and switch to a better deal before this happens.

One thing to bear in mind is you can’t compare energy prices for business until your current deal enters its renewal window, which is usually between one and six months before its end date. Don’t worry if you don’t know when this is, when your contract enters this window your supplier should send you a letter detailing their offer of a new deal.

It’s unlikely this offer will be competitive, so instead of accepting it, use it as a figure to work with when comparing tariffs from other suppliers.

If you switch to a new deal with a different supplier, your old supplier will send a final bill once your contract with them expires, and may ask for a final meter reading to ensure the bill is accurate. You will also be given a date by which this final bill has to be paid. If you’ve not arranged a new deal by this point, you will be moved onto a rollover contract, or deemed rates, depending on your circumstances and supplier.

How to compare business energy tariffs

When comparing business energy prices, there are two charges you need to pay particular attention to:

  • Unit cost - The price you pay for each unit of gas (measured in kWh) your business uses.
  • Standing charge - A daily charge that covers the maintenance of the national grid, and the cost of transporting gas direct to your business premises.

Although business energy quotes are designed to meet the needs of the individual business, energy suppliers broadly offer five different types of tariff. To make sure you’re not overpaying for your gas and electricity, it’s important to make sure you’re on the right one.

The five main types of business energy contracts are:

  • Fixed term - Charges a set price per unit (kWh) for the duration of the contract. This does not fix the total amount that you pay each month, which will vary according to your usage.
  • Variable-rate - Unit rates are linked to market activity, meaning they may fluctuate throughout the duration of your contract.
  • Deemed rate - Also known as an out-of-contract rate tariff, this is a rolling deal with expensive rates.
  • 28-day - A contract for businesses who haven’t switched since the energy market was deregulated.
  • Rollover - A contract that is used when no alternative has been agreed before your current contract’s end date. Rates are usually among the supplier’s most expensive.

Our energy experts compare all types of tariffs from a range of suppliers to find the best tariff for the needs and budget of your business, saving you valuable time and money.

To help us run more accurate quotes, grab a recent bill and make a note of the following:

  • The name of your current gas and electricity suppliers
  • The name of your tariffs, and their end dates
  • Your supply type
  • How much gas and electricity your business uses

We can then offer you a number of quotes, from a range of suppliers, you just then need to decide which deal is the best fit for your business, and we’ll set up your new contracts with your new suppliers.

We don’t just look for the best price either, we also factor in those other features that make life a little bit easier, such as online billing and customer service, so you can be confident you’re getting the complete package.

And we won’t charge your business a penny, our service is completely free of charge.

All you have to do is let us know a few details just give our experts a call on 0800 326 5517 and we’ll do the rest.