Question 1

How does business energy differ from domestic energy?

Accepted Answer

The biggest difference between business and household energy is how suppliers set up contracts. Business energy contracts tend to be for a fixed duration typically between 1-5 years, without the option to cancel early. Businesses can opt into fixed-rate contracts such Gazprom Energy’s Shield product – which will protect them against changes in the energy market. Find out more about why business energy differs to domestic energy.

Question 2

How are businesses protected when purchasing business energy?

Accepted Answer

Energy providers are bound by a series of industry codes and the supply Licence Conditions, which regulate how they do business and interact with customers. These rules are enforced by several independent regulatory bodies, including Ofgem, and are designed to protect customers and make sure they’re treated fairly. Read our industry codes of practice.

Question 3

How does business energy differ between micro/small and medium/large companies?

Accepted Answer

The main difference in business energy between micro, small/medium and large companies is the types of gas and electricity contracts available, and how they’re priced.
For example, SMEs generally opt for fixed-rate energy contracts, as these offer the best combination of convenience and affordability. A fixed-rate contract means small businesses are protected from changes in the wholesale energy price, so they can easily budget for energy costs.
For companies that meet the ‘micro business’ criteria, there are some further distinguishing factors when it comes to business energy. Micro businesses are able to view business energy prices online using only their postcode and consumption information, and can terminate their contracts closer to the end date (at 30 days out, as opposed to the standard 90 days).
Large businesses, on the other hand, may treat energy as a strategic function – in which case, they may choose a flexible purchasing contract that gives them the freedom to buy and sell gas and electricity to optimise procurement.

Question 4

What affects the price of business energy?

Accepted Answer

Several factors affect the wholesale price of business gas and electricity, including the weather, how it’s stored, regulatory pressures, crude oil prices, flow and availability, and wind generation. However, few customers will notice these changes, as a fixed-rate contract protects small business customers from daily wholesale price fluctuations.

Question 5

How much, on average, do small businesses spend on gas and electricity?"

Accepted Answer

The cost of gas and electricity is dependent on the size of your business. On average, UK businesses spend £1,135 per year (source) on gas and electricity – based on a variable tariff. However, this could be significantly higher or lower, depending on the size and industry of business.

Question 6

What should SMEs look for from their business energy supplier?

Accepted Answer

The right supplier can be dependent on your finances, the type of business you run, what the energy will be used for, and how committed to the environment your business is.
Generally, SMEs look for fixed-rate contracts that offer a price guarantee for the length of the contract. Before agreeing to any energy deal, always read the small print in the provider’s terms and conditions, particularly their policy on passing through third-party charges and out of contract rates.
You should also look for a supplier that offers a simple switching service, minimising the amount of work needed at your end.

Question 7

How can small businesses save money on their energy bills?

Accepted Answer

A few quick fixes around the office can play a part. Turning off computers at night, encouraging staff to work from home once a week, using DIY insulation and turning down the thermostat can all help with saving money on your energy bills. Here are 10 of our best energy-saving tips for SMEs.

Question 8

How much will it cost to get a new business gas or electricity connection?

Accepted Answer

The cost of setting up a new business gas or electricity connection is entirely dependent on the location of your premises, how long the job in question will take and the amount of energy you’ll need.

Question 9

How do fixed, pass-through and flexible purchasing contracts differ?"

Accepted Answer

Fully fixed-rate contracts mean that the rates detailed on the contract represent the price you’ll pay for the full contract term, making it easy for SMEs to budget for energy use. It is important you seek clarification that any fully fixed-rate contract you accept also includes all third-party charges and any other charges – and isn’t just fixing the cost of energy alone.
Pass through products (or partially fixed) typically fix the cost of the energy for the duration of your contract, but allow the supplier to pass through third-party charges such as transportation and distribution charges at the cost they are being charged by the distribution companies. It can be beneficial to have these types of products especially if you think you are going to reduce energy consumption or don’t require 100% budget certainty.
Flexible purchasing contracts allow large businesses users to buy their energy at different times during the contract period instead of agreeing the contract rate upfront like you would on a fixed contract.

Question 10

For pass-through contracts, what factors determine changes in price?"

Accepted Answer

Pass-through rates are affected by the prices that third parties charge suppliers in order to move the energy around the country, and eventually to your meter point. Suppliers also need to include costs for unidentified gas (UIG) and feed-in-tariff (FiT) charges. Typically, suppliers will pass through prices they don’t control which may also include any new or current government levies.

Question 11

Do contracts for small and micro businesses differ from other business energy contracts?

Accepted Answer

For a micro business contract, terms and conditions must be written in ‘plain and intelligible language’ since the business’ owners might not necessarily be familiar with the industry.
Additionally, the supplier must state when the contract begins and ends as part of a ‘Statement of Renewal Terms’. A notice period for termination must also be included, set at 30 days before the end of the contract.

Question 12

Will I need to provide information to prove my company is a micro business?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If your supplier does not have the necessary information about your business, you may be asked to provide them with the number of full-time employees, the business’ turnover and its energy consumption.

Question 13

How do you know when your current business energy contract is coming to an end?

Accepted Answer

You can find out whether your contract is coming to an end by checking your most recent energy bill, where the end date should be stated in the section that also includes your tariff name and account number. Alternatively, you can check the signed copy of your contract or call your energy provider to double check.
You will normally receive notification that your current tariff is ending 42-49 days before your contract’s official end date (or 60 days before for micro businesses).

Question 14

Will my business energy contract be renewed automatically, and will I need to complete another full contract period?"

Accepted Answer

Many business energy contracts will not be renewed automatically following their expiration – instead, your business will be placed on to out of contract rates until a new contract is put in place, your business moves premises, or your business switches supplier.

Question 15

What are ‘out of contract’ or deemed rates?

Accepted Answer

Out of contract rates refer to the default charge a business is levied with when their contract ends and no new alternative is put in place, i.e. renewing the supply agreement with the existing supplier or entering into a supply agreement with a new supplier. These can be expensive, so you should always remember to arrange a new contract before the out of contract rates come into effect.
Deemed rates are charged when there was never a contract in place, as with when a new tenant moves into an existing site. Learn more about out of contract and deemed rates.

Question 16

When switching energy supplier, is my old contract terminated automatically as part of the process?"

Accepted Answer

No, most suppliers will require termination to be issued to them in writing at a period which will be specified within your contract. As long as you have adhered to the termination window then your new supplier will arrange the switch on your behalf. However, in some circumstances, your old supplier may object to the switch, if you either owe them money or your new supplier tries to register you for the wrong date.

Question 17

How long does switching energy supplier take?

Accepted Answer

As long as you don’t owe your existing supplier money, or you are not tied into an energy contract with them, then a successful transfer can be concluded in less than 3 weeks.

Question 18

Will I lose my energy supply when switching?

Accepted Answer

No. There’ll be no interruption to your supply, as the new energy supply comes from the same grid that powered your old supply. The only difference will come in the form of your billing and contracts.

Question 19

Is there a specific time when I can switch my business energy supply?

Accepted Answer

Most SMEs will have fixed energy contracts for their gas and electricity supply, which normally last one year or longer. The contract wording will set out a period in which you can terminate your supply. Customers on an out of contract or deemed rate can initiate a switch at any time as long as they inform their supplier of their intention to switch within a 30-day period and all outstanding payments have been made.

Question 20

What information do I need to provide to start the supply transfer?

Accepted Answer

Prior to agreeing a contract with a supplier, they will confirm what information they require in order to generate the quote and contract. Typically, this will include your business name and full registered address, site addresses and meter numbers, which can be found on an invoice. In addition, they will require the type of product you require and the date this should commence

Question 21

My current supplier has objected to the switch – what should I do?

Accepted Answer

If the current supplier has objected to the switch, then this usually means there’s a debt on the account or you’ve moved properties without contacting the existing supplier. Once you’ve resolved the issue, they’ll remove the objection, and your new supplier will continue with the switch.

Question 22

What is an AMR device?

Accepted Answer

An AMR (automated meter reading) device automatically collects consumption, diagnostic and status data from energy metering devices and transfers said data to a central database for billing and analysis. This eliminates the need for manual meter readings and billing based on past or predicted consumption. Find out more about AMR systems.

Question 23

Is my business eligible for an AMR device?

Accepted Answer

AMR devices use SIM card technology (similar to that in mobile phones), so any site that has a suitable signal is eligible for AMR installation. You should speak with your supplier to find out how quickly they can install AMR devices and if any additional charges would apply.

Question 24

What is Half Hourly Metering and Non-Half Hourly Metering?

Accepted Answer

Half-hourly metering is a special type of metering system which uses AMR technology for more accurate electricity reading, updating energy suppliers with updated readings every half an hour.
Non-half-hourly metering may or may not include AMR technology. They send suppliers consumption data for more accurate billing and fewer visits to your site.

Question 25

Will I need to read my business’ gas and electricity meters and provide readings?

Accepted Answer

It is always good practice to check your meter readings on your energy bills and simply contact your supplier if these are being estimated on a regular basis.

Question 26

What happens if there’s a problem with the AMR’s read data?

Accepted Answer

With any technology, issues can arise - so it’s always good practice to check your readings on your invoice as per the above.

Question 27

Why is my business energy supplier exchanging my gas and electricity meters?

Accepted Answer

It’s possible that they want to exchange your current meters for a smart meter or a pulse enabled meter, or that they’re too old and likely to become a safety hazard. Providers should notify you of a meter switch in plenty of time, and your service shouldn’t be affected.

Question 28

How can I upgrade my existing gas and electricity meters to smart meters?

Accepted Answer

You can contact your supplier to see whether they’ll install one. In fact, all business energy suppliers must offer smart meters or AMR devices to customers before 2020.
Some suppliers offer similar products – known as ‘advanced meters’ – since they’re not ready to install smart meters that comply with government standards. These advanced meters offer many of the same benefits as the smart meters.

Question 29

Do I need a strong network connection on my business premises to ensure accurate energy readings?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need to have an internet connection for accurate readings. Depending on your location, your AMR meter will communicate by using either existing mobile or radio signals that are currently in your area. Signal boosters can also be used in low signal areas.

Question 30

How is my business energy bill calculated?

Accepted Answer

In simple terms, your energy supplier charges you the rates you have agreed as per the contract for the volume of kilowatt hours (kWh) you have used. Usually, you will be billed monthly or quarterly but may have further options if you choose to use portals or go paperless. Most energy suppliers will charge in pence per kWh and a standing charge in pence per day or pounds per annum, but it is also good to check what is included on the point of agreeing the contract.

Question 31

How much VAT will I be paying on business energy use?

Accepted Answer

Most businesses will pay VAT at a rate of 20%, though some are eligible for a discount. Since your energy supplier automatically adds the VAT to your bill, you’ll need to apply for this potential discount separately. An example of a business that pays the reduced VAT amount is a registered charity.

Question 32

What do MPAN and MPRN mean, and why are they important?"

Accepted Answer

A meter point administration number (MPAN) is a unique 13-digit reference that identifies your business’ electricity supply point; similarly, a meter point reference number (MPRN) relates to your gas supply.
In order to arrange the metering for your property, your chosen supplier will require your business’ MPAN and MPRN. These numbers can be found on your current energy bill.
The MPAN/MPRN should not be confused with the meter serial number, which is found on the meter itself.

Question 33

Why is my business being charged the Climate Change Levy (CCL) tax, and is there anything I can do to reduce the charge?"

Accepted Answer

CCL is charged on taxable commodities supplied for lighting, heating and power purposes to businesses in the industrial, commercial, agricultural and public service sectors. Your business is being charged the CCL as a means of encouraging businesses to be more energy efficient.
You can pay a reduced rate on CCL charges by entering into a climate change agreement with the Environment Agency. Businesses in these agreements will receive a reduction of 90% in the CCL rate paid of electricity bills and a 65% reduction on all other fuels. Learn more about the Climate Change Levy.

Question 34

How can I check if my energy bill is correct?

Accepted Answer

If your bills are usually based on estimated readings, the easiest way to ensure you’re paying the correct amount is to send your supplier regular meter readings.
In order to avoid estimated readings, it’s recommended that you take a meter reading on the last day of each month and submit it to your energy supplier within 5 days, so they can calculate an accurate bill. This ensures that you only pay for the energy you’ve used.
If you have a smart meter or AMR device on your meter you should still pay attention to your monthly bills to ensure your energy supplier is using the automated readings provided by these technologies.

Question 35

I have an AMR device – why are my business energy bills still being estimated?

Accepted Answer

There’s a chance there might be a problem with your meter, which means the energy supplier has had to base your bill on an estimate. Your energy supplier should contact you in this event in order to investigate the fault, however, you are free to contact them.

Question 36

Can I get a refund if my business energy account is in credit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can be refunded if you’re in credit. In order for this to happen, you’ll need to check that your balance is up to date by giving your energy supplier a meter reading.

Question 37

When do energy regulation changes come into effect?

Accepted Answer

Changes to energy regulation are often announced in the government’s financial budget, and usually come into force on April 1, in line with the new tax year – but can be implemented at any point during the year.

Question 38

What industry standards do business energy suppliers have to meet?

Accepted Answer

Per Ofgem’s Standards of Conduct, energy suppliers have to treat firms fairly when it comes to contacting, billing and switching business customers, with fines coming into play if these are ignored. Learn more about industry codes of practice.

Question 39

Will new regulations affect my energy contract?

Accepted Answer

It’s possible that new regulations could affect your energy contract. This depends on other factors, such as whether you’re subject to other charges like the CCL. For example, last April the rate of CCL rates increased, affecting businesses who were subject to these charges as a result.
We recommend subscribing to our Regulation Voice newsletter to keep abreast of the latest regulatory changes, and insight on how they could affect the price you pay for business energy.

Question 40

What is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme and how can it affect my business?

Accepted Answer

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme is a mandatory energy assessment and energy saving identification scheme for large organisations throughout the UK. Its intent is to increase business profitability and competitiveness, while benefitting the environment by identifying cost-effective energy savings opportunities.
You’ll be affected by ESOS if your business has 250 or more UK employees, or has fewer than 250 employees but has an annual turnover exceeding £50 million and a balance sheeting exceeding £42 million.

Question 41

How do I find out my energy supplier’s Feed-in Tariff Status?

Accepted Answer

Certain energy suppliers are required to participate in the feed-in-tariff (FiT) scheme to pay fixed tariffs to micro and small businesses that generate their own electricity. These suppliers are required to declare their FiT status annually.
Your chosen provider should publish details of their FiT status on their website.

Question 42

Will my energy supplier keep me up-to-date on regulation changes which could affect my supply and contract

Accepted Answer

Business energy providers are not obligated to update their customers on regulatory changes, however, you can find details of upcoming regulatory changes and how they might affect you by subscribing to the Regulation Voice newsletter.

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Business Energy Frequently Asked Questions