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Trying to find the best business energy suppliers can be a real pain. Navigating the myriad of deals for business and commercial energy can be tough; there are dozens of commercial energy suppliers operating in the UK today, and it's not always easy to figure out which is the best energy supplier for your business.
Your number one priority should always be minimising energy bills, which means your key consideration when making a business energy comparison should be rates; however, different suppliers do offer a few extras which might be worth considering if you're spoilt for choice.
Some of the most popular commercial energy suppliers in the UK include: - British Gas business - Corona Energy - Dual Energy - EDF Energy - E.ON - Npower for Business - Opus Energy - ScottishPower However, there are many more commercial energy suppliers working in the UK and it's worth exploring as many options as possible in order to secure the best deal for your business.
Why switch energy suppliers?
Many businesses opt to have their energy supplied by one of the 'Big Six' energy suppliers out of habit, but it's no longer the case that these six energy companies offer better value or a better level of service than many other, smaller energy companies. In fact, the majority of established energy suppliers in the UK today offer similar levels of service, so switching supplier is often about getting a better rate or, in some cases, qualifying for extra perks.
If your company has been in a contract with one energy company for a long time, it can be tempting to stay where you are and avoid the hassle of moving. But switching energy supplier doesn't have to be difficult, and it's the best way to make sure your business is taking advantage of the best energy deals out there on the market. Not only can you minimise your energy bills this way, but you might also be able to take advantage of service perks offered by some suppliers.
How to switch energy suppliers
Switching energy suppliers can actually be quite a quick and simple process, and the money you can save on your energy bills over the course of a year more than makeup for the time you'll spend switching.
The first thing to remember about switching energy suppliers is that negotiation should play a role. Business energy suppliers don't always publish their commercial energy rates precisely because they can often get more business customers by being flexible about their rates. If you make it clear you know you can get a better offer elsewhere, you may find a supplier is much more willing to lower their 'standard' rate for you.
Whatever you do, don't get complacent and let your business pay higher rates, often termed 'rollover', 'deemed' or 'out of contract' rates, as these will be much higher than they need to be and can add a significant amount to your annual energy bills.
If you compare business energy tariffs and decide you want to switch supplier, from there the process is quite simple:
1. Contact the energy suppliers you're interested in and ask for their commercial energy quotes - don't be afraid to negotiate prices down.
2. Choose your new supplier based on the lowest tariff and any other extras you like the look of.
3. Apply to switch to your chosen business contract. In the vast majority of cases, you will be accepted for the switch, unless you have an outstanding debt with your old supplier or other similar issues.
4. Inform your previous/current energy supplier that you are switching and who you are switching to.
After this, all you will need to do is wait. Your current energy supplier and your new energy supplier will sort everything for you, and you'll be notified once the switch has gone through.
By far the most time-consuming aspect of switching energy suppliers is simply the time you will spend researching suppliers and rates. It's a good idea to compare quotes from around 10 different energy suppliers to get a good grip on the range of rates that are out there and to make sure you're getting a good deal when you do choose a supplier to switch to. Energy comparison services are available to help you with this task, though, and this can make the whole process a lot more efficient.
How much money could you save by switching energy suppliers?
It's fair to say that most businesses can save a significant amount of money by switching their energy suppliers every now and again. The amount your business will save depends upon the size of your business - in terms of premises and staff size - as well as your business's operations. Generally speaking, the bigger the business, the more energy your business will use, and the more significant your savings will be when you switch to a better deal.
If you've been on the same energy contract for a few years, it's likely you're overpaying for energy and switching could benefit your business. If you're not sure, just spend a few hours researching other suppliers' rates and comparing them to what you're paying now - you might be very surprised.
How long does switching energy suppliers take?
Switching energy suppliers can be quite simple on your end, but that doesn't mean it happens instantaneously. In fact, it takes around four to six weeks for a switch to be fully completed, which is another good reason to set the ball rolling sooner rather than later.
If you're in a hurry, it's worth knowing what might slow the process down. Delays can result if you haven't given your new energy supplier the right details, or if your business is under contract with your existing supplier. If you are trying to switch supplier before your contract is up, bear in mind that fees for leaving early can be significant, and sometimes it's better to finish a contract before switching supplier because the savings made on energy bills are outweighed by the contract cancellation penalty.
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