Business Energy Comparison
Compare Business Energy Prices, Suppliers & kWh Rates
We work with a panel of trusted business energy suppliers, so you can switch with confidence.
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Why switch business energy suppliers?
Switching your energy supplier might seem overwhelming but sticking with your current energy supplier might not always be the most sensible financial choice.
Think of your business energy supplier like any other service provider. Just because you’ve been with them for years, doesn’t mean they’re offering the best business energy rates. Also, the competition in the energy market is fierce.
Numerous energy suppliers have struggled in recent years, causing havoc on business energy prices. This volatility has left many UK businesses with commercial suppliers they didn’t choose, often with rates they didn’t opt for.
This is why partnering with a reliable commercial energy supplier is crucial. Not only could you benefit from cheaper rates, but you could also have the peace of mind of knowing the stability of market ups and downs is taken care of.
Here’s why comparing and switching business energy suppliers is a powerful move:
- Reduce costs and boost profits: Find competitive rates from a wide range of our reputable energy suppliers. These savings directly translate to increased profitability, allowing you to invest in your company’s growth and workforce instead.
- Perfect fit: Choose a plan that aligns with your consumption patterns, usage, and budget with the option of fixed, variable, or green tariff rates.
- Go green: Reduce your carbon footprint by switching to green energy alternatives. Feel good about saving our planet.
Utility Saving Expert collaborates with a wide range of reputable energy suppliers, such as British Gas, EDF Energy, and Octopus Energy, ensuring you get both excellent rates and dependable service within minutes.
Trusted by thousands of UK businesses each year, our combination of cutting-edge technology and a team of experts streamlines the switching process. Whether you’re considering a new supplier or renegotiating with your current one, we’re here to secure the best possible deal.
Simply use our quick and easy online business energy comparison platform.
How Our Business Energy Comparison Service Works
Enter your business postcode details on our form. If you need help, call our energy experts on 01242 32 31 31.
We’ll provide you with a list of business energy quotes and tariffs that fit your specific needs.
Compare the different business energy contracts and choose the one you like. Your new supplier will handle the switch on your behalf.
Your switch will be complete within 4 to 6 weeks; so sit back and enjoy the savings on your next energy bill.
Compare commercial energy quotes online
How to choose the best business energy supplier?
Choosing the best supplier goes beyond simply picking the cheapest option.
Securing a competitive price is crucial but other factors like contract lengths and flexibility need consideration; ensuring the supplier adapts to the changing energy landscape.
Here’s what to look for:
Prioritise reliability and stability
- Choosing a company with consistent service and financial stability is important, especially when market prices are constantly fluctuating.
- Opt for energy suppliers with a desirable track record to avoid unexpected business gas and electricity price hikes and the hassle of switching providers due to unreliable service.
- When comparing business energy prices, a company’s reputation is important. Utilise online review platforms like Google Reviews, Trustpilot, Yelp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to gauge the public’s perception.
Independent and green energy suppliers
Beyond the big names lies a world of emerging energy brands that offer exciting business energy deals, competitive rates, and terrific customer service.
If sustainability is your goal, many of the energy suppliers we partner with offer green energy tariffs; championing renewable energy and even offering green business gas rates.
Tailored solutions for your business
Your business energy needs are as unique as your business operations.
Identify your non-negotiable deal breakers such as:
- Does your business require exceptional customer support due to your complex energy needs?
- Is flexibility in adding or removing features crucial to your business model, growth, and end goals?
Once you’ve decided on your non-negotiables, you can shortlist a few potential suppliers.
Shortlist and negotiate
- Use our online comparison tool to make a more informed price analysis.
- Ask the relevant energy suppliers to send a hardcopy quotation for you to use in the assessment process. Leverage these quotes to negotiate directly with business energy providers, explicitly explaining your deal-breakers and specific requirements.
This is how you whittle down your shortlist to one business energy supplier.
<p style=”font-weight: 400;”><strong><span style=”color:#D465A6;”>Top tip</span></strong>: Remember to check details like contract length, exit fees, unit price per kWh, and any other “small print” terms and conditions before closing the deal.</p>
<p style=”font-weight: 400;”>The “best” commercial energy suppliers are not just about the lowest prices. It’s finding a company that offers a <strong>comprehensive package</strong>, balancing energy tariffs with excellent customer service and value-added services that align with your company’s needs.</p>
Customer service and support
Opt for commercial energy providers with a proven track record of exceptional customer service and support. This ensures your peace of mind knowing you’re supported every step of the way.
Our trusted business energy suppliers
We’ve collaborated with several mainstream and emerging UK business energy suppliers to ensure you find the perfect match.
Mainstream energy suppliers
- British Gas
- Crown Gas & Power
- EDF Energy
- Scottish Power
- SSE
- Valda Energy
These established players offer competitive rates and have well-developed customer infrastructure in place.
Emerging energy suppliers
- BG Lite
- Opus Energy
- TotalEnergies
- British Gas Plus
- Smartest Energy
Smaller, innovative companies provide unique plans and competitive tariffs and have a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
Additional energy suppliers
- Corona Energy
- Haven Power
- Npower
- Eon
- Advanti Gas
- Squeaky
These business energy suppliers often champion renewable energy sources, offering green business tariffs aimed to align with the UK’s net zero goal.
See our full list of reputable business energy suppliers here.
Who are the big six energy suppliers?
The “Big Six” are the UK’s dominant key players in the energy industry.
They’re at the forefront of the energy market and hold the largest market share.
These long-standing energy suppliers have earned a reputation for reliability, innovation, and great customer service, giving business owners a sense of security when considering a switch.
Here’s the breakdown of the Big Six:
| Supplier | Parent/Group |
|---|---|
| British Gas | Centrica |
| EDF | EDF Group |
| Eon | E.ON Group |
| Npower | RWE Group |
| ScottishPower | Iberdrola Group |
| SSE | SSE Group |
But it’s worth noting that “bigger” doesn’t always mean “better”.
There’s been a surge of emerging energy suppliers in recent years, some offering better business energy deals than the top six.
Compare commercial energy quotes online
What are the latest business energy rates?
When looking for the latest business energy rates, it’s important to compare what businesses similar in size to yours are paying for their commercial energy.
Latest business electricity rates
Here’s a list of the latest business electricity prices for various-sized businesses.
| Business size | Electricity per kWh | Electricity per kWh Standing Charge (per day) | Annual Electricity Costs (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Small/Micro (up to 5,000 kWh) | 25.1p | 69.4p | £1,506.21 |
| Small (5,000 – 15,000 kWh) | 25p | 78.9p | £4,040.70 |
| Medium (15,000 – 25,000 kWh) | 25.8p | 78.9p | £6,741.29 |
| Large (25,000 – 50,000 kWh) | 25p | 116.2p | £12,922.16 |
| Extra Large/Corporate (50,000 – 100,000 kWh) | 24.6p | 116.2p | £25,018.69 |
*Prices updated March 2024.
Top tip: Ask your energy provider about the Economy 7 Tariffs. This is when your supplier charges different rates for peak and off-hour electricity between 00:00 and 07:00.
Latest business gas rates
Here’s a list of the latest business gas prices for various-sized businesses.
| Business size |
Gas per kWh
|
Standing Charge (per day)
|
Annual Gas Cost (£)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Small/Micro (up to 5,000 kWh) | 9.6p | 66.6p | £640.68 |
| Small (5,000 – 15,000 kWh) | 7.9p | 134.2p | £1,382.48 |
| Medium (15,000 – 25,000 kWh) | 7.7p | 179.6p | £2,203.42 |
| Large (25,000 – 50,000 kWh) | 7.7p | 179.6p | £4,241 |
| Extra Large/Corporate (50,000 – 100,000 kWh) | 6.6p | 179.6p | £7,310.09 |
* Note: These rates can vary based on factors like your meter type and business location. The prices you’re quoted might differ from these averages. The figures provided represent the average unit rates observed for each business size during a specific period in 2024. Rates do not include any potential discounts from schemes like the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.
Latest business energy tariffs per region
| Region | Electricity Price (per kWh) | Gas Price (per kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| London | 27.3p | 9.2p |
| North East | 28.7p | 9.3p |
| East Midlands | 27.9p | 9.3p |
| Yorkshire | 28.2p | 9.3p |
| South West | 28.1p | 9.4p |
| Scotland | 29.5p | 9.2p |
| South Wales | 28.6p | 9.4p |
*All prices are per kWh. Updated March 2024.
Who is the cheapest business energy supplier in 2024?
Electricity Prices (per kWh)
| Supplier | Price (p/kWh) |
|---|---|
| British Gas Lite | 42 |
| British Gas | 62 |
| Smartest Energy | 63.1 |
| Valda Energy | 68.9 |
| EDF Energy | 75 |
*Prices are based on a two-year fixed-rate business energy deal with an annual electricity consumption of 25,000 kWh.
Gas Prices (per kWh)
| Supplier | Price (p/kWh) |
|---|---|
| Smartest Energy | 6.6 |
| Scottish Power | 7.3 |
| BG Lite | 7.4 |
| Valda Energy | 7.5 |
| British Gas | 8.4 |
| EDF Energy | 8.4 |
*Prices are based on a two-year fixed-rate business energy deal with an annual gas consumption of 25,000 kWh.
Compare commercial energy quotes online
What type of business energy tariffs are available?
There are various types of business energy tariffs available, such as:
Variable rates
This is a flexible tariff and your unit price will change each month, based on wholesale prices. This offers great flexibility, especially when wholesale prices decrease, but can make planning and budgeting for your business energy bills challenging.
Useful Insight: British Gas’s electricity fuel mix is made up of 43% of renewable energy.
Fixed rates
Offer “fixed” prices for the entire duration of your energy contract, hence the name. It is by far the most popular option as price stability is a guarantee even when wholesale prices are on the rise. Fixed-rate business energy contracts are usually longer (up to five years) when compared to domestic fixed-rate contracts (one to three years).
Deemed rates
These rates apply if you have no contract in place, often occurring when businesses move into new premises. These business energy prices are usually the most expensive and should be avoided at all costs.
Out-of-contract rates
This occurs when you have not agreed to new business energy tariffs before your current contract comes to an end. Again, this type of business energy contract should be avoided as they often have astronomical rates.
Blend and extend tariffs
Offer a middle ground. If energy prices drop, businesses can “blend” the rate from their current contract with a new, lower rate and then extend the contract duration.
Pass-through tariffs
While the energy unit rate might be fixed, other charges like network fees or green levies are passed directly to the business. This can result in variable monthly bills but offers transparency as businesses can see exactly what they’re paying for.
Green energy tariffs
Are when your energy supplier matches the energy you buy with renewable energy sources. These tariffs are a great way to slash your carbon emissions!
What makes up your business energy bill?
Your business energy bill is made up of several key factors such as:
Unit price per kWh
This is the cost of energy consumed, typically represented as pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh). Pay close attention to this figure as it directly impacts your overall energy bill.
Standing charges
This is a fixed daily or monthly fee charged by the supplier regardless of your energy usage. It’s used to cover energy network maintenance costs. While it’s generally lower than the unit price, consider the total annual standing fees when doing your comparison.
Contract rates
There are various business energy contracts and rates to opt for, such as variable rates for businesses with fluctuating energy consumption patterns or fixed rates where you pay a set tariff throughout your energy contract.
Business energy taxes
The balance of your business energy bill is made up of various taxes, such as 20% VAT and the Climate Change Levy (CCL). CCL charges are a mandatory government environmental tax most businesses pay on gas, electricity, and solid fuels; used to encourage greener energy practices.
Exit fees
Some fixed-rate business energy deals have exit fees attached to them should you switch suppliers before the contract ends.
For example, some energy suppliers will charge between 5% and 15% of your estimated energy costs for the balance of your contract. Carefully consider these factors, especially if you anticipate switching business energy suppliers soon
What is the average UK business energy bill?
We can estimate the average business energy bill per annum for gas and electricity to be:
| Business Size | Gas Cost (£) | Electricity Cost (£) | Total Annual Bill (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microbusiness | 640.68 | 1,506.21 | 2,146.89 |
| Small Business | 1,382.48 | 4,040.70 | 5,423.18 |
| Medium Business | 2,203.42 | 6,741.29 | 8,944.71 |
| Large Business | 4,241 | 12,922.16 | 17,163.16 |
| Extra Large | 7,310.09 | 25,018.69 | 32,328.78 |
The actual energy consumption for a business can vary based on several factors, including its operational hours, the nature of its work, the efficiency of its equipment, and more.
Key factors affecting commercial energy costs
• Business size and type
• Industry
• Location
• Meter type
• Annual consumption
For a better understanding of business energy quotes and bills, contact our team today.
How much energy does the average business use?
The average business energy consumption varies depending on your business operations and energy efficiency.
For example, a micro business with outdated, less energy-efficient appliances could consume the same amount of energy as a medium-sized business prioritising sustainability.
However, to provide a general understanding of the typical energy usage for businesses, we’ve compiled the average energy consumption figures for both small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and larger businesses:
| Business Size | Electricity Usage (kWh) | Gas Usage (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Microbusinesses | 5,000 – 15,000 | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Small Businesses | 15,000 – 25,000 | 15,000 – 30,000 |
| Medium-sized Businesses | 30,000 – 50,000 | 30,000 – 65,000 |
| Large Businesses/Corporate | More than 50,000 | More than 65,000 |
Microbusinesses
These are the smallest types of businesses often operated by a single person or a few individuals. On average, microbusinesses consume around 5,000 kWh to 15,000 kWh of gas and electricity annually.
Small businesses
These are slightly larger than microbusinesses consuming around 15,000 kWh to 30,000 kWh of gas and 15,000 kWh to 25,000 kWh of electricity each year.
Medium-sized businesses
These businesses operate on a larger scale when compared to micro and small businesses. They consume between 30,000 and 65,000 kWh of gas and 30,000 kWh to 50,000 kWh of electricity.
Large businesses
These are the most energy-intensive companies on our list, consuming over 65,000 kWh of gas and 50,000 kWh of electricity for their annual business operations.
Compare commercial energy quotes online
What are the benefits of using Utility Saving Expert?
Here are the benefits of using Utility Saving Expert for your business energy needs:
- Fast and easy switching: We compare prices and switch your supplier in minutes, making the process hassle-free.
- Transparent service: Our business energy comparison service is completely free, with no hidden charges. We pride ourselves on being upfront and honest.
- Unbiased advice: We offer impartial analysis of the commercial energy market, ensuring you get the best rates based on your needs.
- Up-to-date results: Our system uses the latest pricing to find you the most competitive deals available.
- Excellent customer support: We offer exceptional customer service and are there to help you throughout the entire switching process.
- Socially responsible: We donate 10% of our profits to charities fighting fuel poverty, making a positive impact beyond your business.
For impartial, honest, and first-rate business energy comparison advice, contact us today at 01242 32 31 31.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Climate Change Levy (CCL)?
The Climate Change Levy (CCL) is a government tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users in the United Kingdom. It’s aimed at promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in business operations.
Currently, businesses are charged (per kWh) £0.00775 for electricity and £0.00672 for gas. The new rate from 1 April 2024 will be £0.00775 for both gas and electricity for commercial users.
Can I consolidate energy billing if I own multiple properties?
Yes, you can. Consolidating your business’s energy consumption under a single invoice can be achieved by using a multi-site meter. This streamlines the administration of managing gas and electricity bills across multiple properties. You’ll potentially cut costs when merging various business locations under one energy contract (using a multi-site meter).
Will my business supply be disrupted when switching energy providers?
No. Your new energy provider will switch your business energy contract without any hassle or disruption to your supply.
Is domestic energy different from commercial energy?
Yes, domestic and business energy differ in many ways. Businesses usually use more energy at different time frames when compared to domestic energy usage. Suppliers set different rates to reflect these volumes and usage patterns.
How much can I save by switching business energy providers?
You could potentially save £1,401 on your annual energy bills when comparing and switching commercial energy suppliers using Utility Saving Expert.
Is the business energy feed-in tariff still available?
No. The Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) scheme was a government initiative that rewards local businesses and residents for generating green energy. The scheme ran until April 2019 and no longer accepts new applications.
However, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) replaced this initiative in January 2020 and will run until 31 March 2024.