Business Energy for Education

It varies with size and building age, but the Government has put the average school energy bill at around £90,000 a year. A small primary with up to 200 pupils typically spends £1,600 to £3,700 a month on gas and electricity, while colleges and universities spend far more.

Heating is usually the biggest cost, especially in older, larger buildings, so gas tends to dominate the bill. Electricity then powers lighting, ICT suites, kitchens, labs and sports facilities. Many school estates use significantly more heating energy than modern benchmarks suggest they should.

Often, yes. Schools with charitable status, including many academies and independent schools, can qualify for the reduced 5% VAT rate on energy used for their charitable activities, along with exemption from the Climate Change Levy. Arrangements vary by school type, so we check your eligibility as part of the process.

Start with the contract and any reliefs you are due. Then focus on heating, since it drives most of the bill: better controls, zoning, frost protection and a sensible holiday setback make a real difference. LED lighting and benchmarking against similar schools help too.

It helps to line up your energy contract with your budget and academic year so costs are predictable for the year ahead. You can usually secure a new deal up to 12 months before your current one ends, and we will track that renewal window for you.

Yes. Multi-academy trusts and groups of schools can bring every site onto one supplier, with one bill and one renewal date, even where contracts currently end on different dates. The combined volume often unlocks a better rate and cuts a lot of admin.

If your site peak demand reaches 100kW, a half-hourly (HH) meter is required by law. Larger secondary schools, colleges and universities often fall into this band. HH meters give detailed usage data, which our team uses to sharpen your deal.

Yes, and many do as part of a net zero commitment. Most suppliers offer renewable electricity tariffs, now often priced in line with standard ones, and we can compare green options alongside the rest.

It depends on your current rates, contract and usage, but schools on out-of-contract or default rates, or missing reliefs, are often overpaying. The quickest way to find out is to compare with your postcode or speak to an education specialist.