Choose your path and get a fast SME energy quote or a domestic energy switching quote in minutes. Upload a recent bill, compare energy rates, and let us handle the switch—no supply interruption, no hidden fees, full commission disclosure.
Most businesses overpay for energy. They miss renewal deadlines, ignore out-of-contract tariffs, or simply never switch. The fix? Gather your bills, consumption data, and contract end date. Get quotes from multiple suppliers using your MPAN and MPRN numbers. The actual switch takes 14-21 days—continuous supply guaranteed. Watch for early exit fees, deposit requirements, and incomplete paperwork traps. Real savings exist. The details below reveal where to find them.
With regards to business energy contracts, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The market offers fixed-rate contracts that lock in consistent unit prices for one to three years—solid for budget predictability.
Then there’s variable-rate contracts that dance with wholesale fluctuations. Risky? Potentially. Rewarding? Sometimes.
Pricing structures vary wildly. Fixed rates provide stability. Flexible contracts occasionally deliver 5–6% savings versus fixed alternatives.
Evergreen contracts? They auto-renew at term end, often with less favourable terms. Not ideal.
Out-of-contract tariffs cost considerably more—a costly mistake businesses make by missing renewal deadlines. Accurate data submission to suppliers is essential to secure the best deals, as providers analyse long-term usage patterns to determine rates. Standing charges also significantly impact your overall energy bills by adding fixed daily costs regardless of consumption. When switching suppliers, end-to-end switching management ensures zero supply interruptions whilst securing your best available rates. Our bespoke tendering process structures data-driven offer requests to balance price certainty and flexibility across your contract terms. Quarterly reviews of your energy performance can help identify further cost reduction opportunities beyond initial contract negotiations.
Volume tolerance provisions typically operate within 80–120% consumption ranges. Management fees differ between contract types. Using energy data and analytics can reveal hidden cost drivers and support better contract negotiations. Early termination penalties create genuine switching barriers. Engaging with suppliers who offer continuous tracking of contract end dates helps prevent costly lapses in coverage or automatic renewal into unfavourable terms.
Understanding these contract types and pricing structures separates informed decisions from costly oversights.
Before switching suppliers, businesses need to gather the basics: recent energy bills showing current tariff details, standing charges, and unit rates, plus 12 months of consumption data in kWh.
Metre numbers matter too—the MPAN for electricity and MPRN for gas are non-negotiable, along with the business postcode and address where the supply actually sits.
Without this stuff locked down, new suppliers can’t even quote properly, let alone process a switch. You’ll also need to provide a Letter of Authority if you’re using a broker or third party to handle the switching process on your behalf. Having details of your current supplier and contract information, including the end date and any notice period requirements, will streamline the switching process and help you avoid unexpected fees.
Understanding what’s on a business energy bill? It’s actually rather straightforward. Bills contain supply charges, distribution network costs, and government-imposed levies.
The calculation is simple: rate per kWh multiplied by total consumption during the billing period.
Here’s the thing—34% of businesses haven’t a clue what they’re spending on gas, and 29% can’t pin down electricity costs. That’s not brilliant.
This is where consumption analysis becomes critical. Get those bills. They’re your starting point for bill estimation and insight into usage patterns.
Most businesses monitor energy through bills or metres—89% do it now.
Half-hourly metres for high-demand properties? They record every 30 minutes automatically. Online portals reveal detailed consumption data.
The documents you collect here directly impact switching negotiations.
Documentation. Meter identification matters more than most businesses realise. The MPAN (21-digit code starting with ‘S’) pinpoints electricity supply points. The MPRN (6-10 digits, no letters) does the same for gas. Both live on business bills under ‘Details of charges’—not on the actual metres, which is oddly inconvenient.
Supply point validation requires complete address details. Unit numbers, building identifiers, everything. Because commercial properties sometimes have multiple supply points, and mixing those up? That’s a switching nightmare nobody wants.
For new businesses without previous bills, contact the current supplier directly. Distribution network operators handle newly constructed properties, which adds another layer of bureaucracy.
The bottom line: gather these numbers before switching. Suppliers won’t budge without them.
Before switching suppliers, a business needs to know three critical things: where the tariff details actually live (spoiler: usually buried in an email or PDF somewhere), when the contract actually ends, and whether bailing out early will cost a fortune in exit fees.
The tariff name tells you the pricing structure, the contract end date determines your switching window, and those early termination fees? They can turn a money-saving switch into a wallet-draining disaster.
Get these details straight first—everything else builds from there.
Finding out what you’re actually paying for energy? Start with your recent bills.
They’re literally sitting there, packed with tariff identification methods most businesses ignore. Your current supplier name, tariff plan name, and those cryptic codes—MPAN for electricity, MPRN for gas—they’re all there.
Check your online account portal too. Suppliers love burying pricing details in multiple places. You’ll find unit rates per kWh, daily standing charges, and VAT breakdowns.
Don’t forget the Climate Change Levy sneaking in at 0.775p per kWh for electricity. Understanding your business consumption patterns matters here. Are you micro, small, or medium-sized? Your classification determines everything.
Grab that contract paperwork from your welcome documentation. It spells out whether you’re locked into fixed or variable rates. Now you’ve got actual numbers to work with.
When does a business energy contract actually expire? It’s right there in the contract documents—black and white, legally binding. Monthly billing statements spell it out too. Suppliers must disclose the end date; Ofgem demands it. Online portals and direct supplier communication work equally well if you can’t find the paperwork.
Here’s the thing: missing that date means automatic rollover into deemed contracts. Rollover rates? Brutal. Often substantially higher than negotiated fixed rates. The termination notice period typically runs 30 to 120 days before expiration—that’s your window for contract negotiation and supplier communication.
Industry practice suggests starting the renewal process 12 months out. Switching takes three to six weeks. Procrastination kills deals. That termination deadline closes fast, trapping businesses into unfavourable terms.
Most businesses locked into fixed-rate energy contracts don’t realise what breaking free actually costs.
Exit fees typically range from 5-15% of remaining contract value—sometimes more if market rates have dropped since signing.
Suppliers calculate these charges based on unsupplied volume and market differentials. It’s a financial punch to the gut, honestly.
Understanding the maths matters.
Divide the exit fee by potential monthly savings to see your payback period.
Some exit fee exemptions exist: moving premises, supplier breach, or terminating within the final 30 days.
Comparison strategies should factor in whether new suppliers offer fee reimbursement.
Contact your current supplier for an exact quotation.
Don’t guess. The number sitting in that contract? That’s your real switching cost.
Getting a competitive quote requires gathering specific information upfront—there’s no way around it. Businesses need their postcode, metre details (MPAN and MPRN numbers), annual consumption data, and contract end date. No shortcuts here.
Once that’s sorted, there are actual options. Online comparison tools let businesses stack quotes side-by-side from multiple suppliers. Energy brokers handle the heavy lifting, using market knowledge to negotiate on your behalf. Direct supplier engagement works too, though it’s time-consuming. Some organisations run tender processes, inviting suppliers to bid competitively.
The key? Don’t just eyeball headline unit rates. Standing charges, transmission costs, and environmental levies hide in the details.
Comparing total contract cost across fixed and variable structures reveals what you’re actually paying. That’s where real savings emerge.
The switching process itself is straightforward—once a business commits to a new supplier, that supplier handles the legwork.
Here’s what actually happens:
Energy forecasts inform supplier comparison, helping businesses grasp which deal genuinely fits.
The new supplier sends an order confirmation pack with contract terms and pricing details. Continuous supply keeps flowing throughout—no blackouts or drama.
Micro-business switches wrap up within five working days. Larger outfits wait up to 30 days.
Opening metre readings must arrive within five days of commencement. Then the previous supplier issues a final bill. Simple. Done.
How long does a business energy switch actually take? It depends. Most businesses complete switches in 14-21 days from contract signing.
Microbusinesses? Faster—typically five days. Out-of-contract businesses? Brace yourself. That’s up to 30 days.
The switching timeline matters because contract expiration won’t wait around. Some suppliers nail it in three days. Others drag their feet.
Current supplier objections? Add another three days, roughly.
Here’s the reality: microbusinesses get a break. They only need to give 30 days’ notice.
Larger operations face longer processing times. The Central Switching Service targets five-day maximums, but actual results vary wildly depending on supplier cooperation and business circumstances.
Outstanding debts over £500 block everything. Plan accordingly.
Even if a business nails the 14-21 day window, the change itself can still feel like traversing a minefield.
Documentation challenges plague nearly half of all switching attempts—incomplete paperwork alone delays transfers by 15-20 working days.
Then there are the financial concerns. Early termination fees hit 1-3 months of costs. Deposit requirements blindside businesses. Hidden administration charges appear like unwanted guests.
Supplier reliability issues compound the headache:
Contract comprehension? Forget it.
Complex legal jargon confuses 68% of small business owners. Minimum durations stretch 12-24 months. Notice periods demand 30-90 days’ planning.
The maze is real. Steering through it requires preparation, not luck.
Since roughly 72% of UK businesses could slash their energy bills by switching suppliers, it’s wild that 46% never bother reviewing their options at contract end.
That’s millions left on the table. The maths is simple: supplier comparison tools reveal genuine savings potential—sometimes hitting 40%.
Accurate consumption data matters. Input wrong figures, get useless quotes. Get it right, access real numbers.
Savings strategies vary by business size. Small businesses pay 19.90p per kWh for electricity versus 17.35p for medium-sized ones—scale advantage is real.
kVA correction alone reshapes costs. Flex approach tariffs? They enable wholesale-price prepayment for substantial reductions.
Dual-fuel arrangements simplify everything into one provider.
The honest truth: most businesses overpay simply because they stopped paying attention.
Over 40% of business energy switchers face debt-related switching blocks. Outstanding debts typically prevent supplier changes, though debts under £500 may transfer under specific supplier policies. Debt implications and supplier policies determine switching eligibility.
During switching, the previous supplier provides final metre readings determining the closing balance. The new supplier requires opening metre read submission within five days of the switching timeline commencement, typically completing within three to six weeks.
Business energy contracts lack statutory cooling-off benefits that domestic customers receive. Contract specifics bind businesses immediately upon signing, with no mandatory grace period. Suppliers may discretionarily offer cooling-off provisions during negotiation, though this remains uncommon practice.
Businesses benefit from biannual or annual assessments of energy rates. Regular cost analysis reveals savings opportunities, particularly when contracts near expiration. Medium-sized enterprises demonstrate highest switching frequency, accessing thousands in potential annual savings.
A single supplier can provide both electricity and gas, though these typically remain separate dual contracts rather than one combined agreement. Suppliers often bundle billing and offer incentives for consolidating combined services with one provider.
