Business Energy

Compare Business Gas & Electricity Suppliers

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When you’re looking for the cheapest business energy deal, there’s a wide range of commercial energy suppliers to choose from.

Your priority is to find a deal that makes your bills as cheap as possible. But, suppliers offer different perks and services, so it’s worth looking at what else they’ve got to offer besides price.

Here are some of the more popular business energy suppliers - click to find out more about each provider.

How to compare and switch business gas and electricity suppliers

Switching your business energy provider can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be difficult. It’s well worth putting in the time to do your research, as you could save a substantial amount on your business’s monthly bills.

If you’re on a standard tariff - the plan that customers 'roll on' to after their initial deal expires - then you're paying more than you need to. This is a prime reason to switch electricity providers.

You can compare business electricity tariffs and switch to a new deal in a few simple steps:

Approach suppliers for business electricity quotes.
Choose the tariff that best suits your needs.
Apply for the new business electricity contract with the new supplier.
Inform your previous supplier of the switch.

It's possible that your application to switch supplier could get rejected. This only usually happens if you owe a debt to your old supplier. If your switch request is rejected, contact them and they’ll give you a reason for their rejection. If it's because you owe them money, then try to pay the debt off as soon as possible.

If your application to switch is accepted, then there’s very little else for you to do. The rest of the work will be handled by the two suppliers in question, and all you need to do is sit back and wait for the new tariff to kick in.

But to get the absolute best deal for your business, you’ll need to get quotes from every business energy supplier out there, and that's where a business energy broker service comes in.

MoneySuperMarket has partnered with Bionic, the business energy experts, to help take the hassle out of comparing and switching business gas and electricity suppliers. Utilising Bionic's knowledge of the commercial energy market means we can advise you on which tariff best suits the needs of your business.

Bionic can help with the switching process by providing you with all the information and documents you need. Give them a call now on 0800 088 6986, and find out how much you could save.

Why switch business gas and electricity suppliers?

A business uses much more energy than the average household, which means it’s vital to make sure you’re getting the most for your money. But it’s not all about the cost - your business also needs the best customer service, so it’s worth considering whether your overall package is a good one.

Other valid reasons to switch include:

You’re not happy with the service you’ve received from your current supplier
Customer support is more extensive with other suppliers
You’ve found a cleaner, greener tariff and want to do your bit for the environment
You’ve been offered cashback or another incentive

How much could your business save by switching energy supplier?

The amount your business could save depends on its size, the number of staff and ultimately, how efficiently it’s run. It’s hard to pin down the exact amount you can expect to save, because every business is different.

How do business energy contracts work?

Business energy contracts differ from household energy contracts in a number of ways. Key differences include:

You generally don’t get dual fuel contracts for business energy. That means you’ll probably need a separate contract for each service and you’ll have to seek out separate quotes for your gas and electricity. What’s more, you’ll be billed separately too.
Contract terms are more binding. Household energy contracts let you leave at any point as long as you pay an exit fee. But business energy contracts prevent you from leaving until you’re in the designated renewal window.
Cooling-off periods are rarer. Unlike household energy contracts, you won’t typically get a 14-day cooling-off period, during which time you can change your mind and not incur a financial penalty.
You can’t pick an off-the-shelf tariff. When you’re comparing household energy suppliers you just need to tell us some details and you’re able to take your pick from ready-made tariffs. But with business energy contracts, ready-made tariffs don’t exist. Instead you’ll speak to a rep and will be offered bespoke quotes that are tailored to your particular requirements.

How are commercial energy plans calculated?

Suppliers factor in a range of variables when calculating your bills. These include:

The rate you’re on and your energy consumption. When it comes to billing you, your supplier takes the number of kWh of energy and multiplies by your unit rate.
Standing charge for the billing period. You’ll pay this flat rate whether you use any energy or not. This part of your bill is calculated by multiplying the number of days in the billing period by your standing-charge rate.
VAT, other levies and discounts. Other charges might include the Climate Change Levy. Any discounts you’re eligible for will depend on the terms of your contract.

How can I save on my business energy bills?

As wholesale energy prices continue to surge due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, it’s especially important to do everything you can to keep your usage down. Here’s some steps you can take to ensure you avoid sky-high energy bills…

Book an energy audit. Many suppliers offer this service and it’ll help you identify any issues with the building that mean it’s not as energy-efficient as it could be.
Shop around for a better deal. Cheap business energy deals are hard to come by at the moment. But it’s still worth getting quotes from alternative suppliers to see if you can save, compared with your current contract terms.
Opt for energy-efficient lightbulbs. If you’re using incandescent bulbs, swap them for CFL or LED, which are more energy-efficient
Turn off lights when not in use. If you’re lucky enough to have premises with lots of natural light, make sure you take advantage of that - especially on sunny days. It’s also a good idea to install motion sensors in areas such as recreation rooms, toilets and meeting rooms.

How long does it take to switch business energy supplier?

It takes an average of four to six weeks to switch business energy suppliers, but this can vary - for example, it can take longer if your business is still under contract with another supplier, or if your new supplier doesn't have all the details they need.

The best way to tackle this is to have all the information about your current contract to hand when you run a business energy comparison.

If you’re not sure who supplies your business gas or electricity, you can find out by checking a recent bill, or speaking to the previous occupier of your business premises. If you still don’t know, you can call Xoserve (for business gas) on 0845 601 3049.

If you’re leaving your old supplier part way through your contract, it’s up to you to find out about any exit fees you may have to pay. If you do have to pay to leave your current agreement, then make sure the savings you make by switching are worth it.

If you have any questions about business energy brokers, commercial gas and electricity supplier, or you’re ready to make the switch, give Bionic a call on 0800 088 6986 or leave your postcode in the box on the right and they’ll get back to you.