Business Energy

At Business Quote, we offer free, no-obligation quotes for top-tier business energy solutions to fit your operational needs and budget. We recognise that energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness are crucial for the success of any business. That’s why our quotes are customised to meet your specific energy consumption patterns, whether it’s for business gas, electricity, or a comprehensive energy package.

Why Compare and Switch Business Energy Suppliers?

There are several compelling reasons to switch business energy suppliers. Saving money often tops the list of priorities, and staying with the same supplier may not always be the best option. Here are three key reasons why thousands of businesses choose to compare and switch their energy suppliers with Business Quote:

1. Avoid Out-of-Contract Rates: If you suddenly face exorbitant rates, you might be out of contract. Loyalty to your current supplier doesn’t always pay off. Switching now could significantly reduce your monthly bills. If you’re reluctant to switch, we’ll negotiate with your existing supplier.
2. Pay Less for Longer: We focus on more than just price—we consider your business’s needs. Sometimes, securing a lower rate for an extended period is more advantageous. This provides peace of mind in an unpredictable market, allowing you to relax and focus on your business.
3. Reliable Suppliers: No one wants the hassle of their energy supplier going bust. We partner with a panel of trusted suppliers who offer dependable service and competitive rates. We’ll manage the administrative tasks so you can concentrate on running your business.

Why It’s Better to Talk

Switching business energy providers is more complex than switching domestic energy suppliers. That’s why 75% of business owners prefer to speak with an expert to get their questions answered. Our tech-enabled experts are here to assist business owners just like you.

Look Beyond Headline Savings Figures 

Business energy prices are influenced by various factors such as standing charges, unit rates, and additional fees. We will help you look beyond the headline figures to find the deals that will truly save your business money. 

Tailor Your Price 

Why settle for the first price you’re offered? As the UK’s market leader in business energy comparison, we have access to exclusive rates from our panel of trusted UK energy suppliers. We can tailor prices to meet your business’s specific needs. 

Ensure a Smooth Transition to Your New Contract 

Business Quote has a dedicated team that manages the transition between your old and new suppliers, saving you the hassle. By speaking with us, we can ensure all details are correctly handled, making it more likely that your new contract will go live smoothly.

All Part of the Service with Business Quote 

Proactive Comparison for Your Next Contract 

Business Quote’s Digital Renewal service streamlines the process of securing your next energy contract. We’ll proactively compare deals for you and share the results via email. You can then select the best option online, and we’ll handle the rest. 

Sort All Your Business Essentials in One Place 

Business Quote is your one-stop shop for business energy, insurance, connectivity (phone line and broadband), and finance (loans). Save time and avoid hassle by managing all your essential business services in one place. With Business Quote, you only need to remember one name for all your business needs. 

What’s the Best Energy Supplier for Your Business? 

We compare quotes from a panel of suppliers to find the best deal for your business. If you have a preference for any specific supplier from our list, let us know. 

Our Panel of Suppliers: 

• British Gas 
• BG Lite 
• British Gas Plus 
• Crown Gas & Power 
• EDF Energy 
• Opus Energy 
• ScottishPower 
• Smartest Energy 
• SSE 
• TotalEnergies 
• Valda Energy 
• Yü Energy 

If you run a large business with high energy consumption, we offer a range of additional services, including bespoke procurement, bill validation, metering and data collection, and meters for multiple sites. We can also compare deals from a range of other providers, including: 

• Corona 
• Engie 
• Eon 
• Haven 
• Hudson 
• Npower 
• Orsted 
• Smartest 
• Squeaky 

To find out more, check out our guide to large and industrial business energy. 

How Much Should Your Business Pay for Energy? 

When comparing business energy rates, it’s unlikely that the quotes you receive will be cheaper than your current rates. This is due to inflation, which generally causes prices to rise over time. If you’re renewing after a long-term fixed deal, rates may have increased significantly since you last signed a contract. 

Despite energy prices decreasing since their peak in 2022 and the market becoming less volatile, current rates are still higher than at any point since around September 2021. 

At Business Quote, we aim to find the best possible rates for your next energy contract, ensuring you get a better deal compared to what you might face elsewhere or with your current supplier’s out-of-contract rates. Unless you locked in rates when prices were at their highest, it’s unlikely you’ll find lower rates than what you’re currently paying. 

Our experts will assist you with the switch, but it’s beneficial to have some knowledge before running a business energy comparison. Knowing what rates similar-sized businesses are paying can be helpful when searching for the best business energy rates. 

To find out the average business gas prices per kWh for June 2024, see the table below: 

Latest Business Energy Rates in June 2024 

Note: Prices are correct as of June 2024. Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The quotes you receive may differ from the averages shown. These figures are the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Business Quote per business size from June 1 to June 12, 2024. 

Latest Business Gas Rates 

To find out the current unit rates and standing charges for your business, visit our business gas page. 

Latest Business Electricity Rates 

To find out the current unit rates and standing charges for your business, visit our business electricity page. 

How Much Energy Does Your Business Use? 

The average energy consumption of a business depends on its size and how it uses energy. Energy usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). To give you an idea of typical energy consumption, here are the average usage figures for different sizes of businesses: 

• Microbusinesses: Approximately 10,000 kWh of gas and up to 15,000 kWh of electricity per year. 
• Small businesses: Approximately 25,000 kWh of gas and up to 25,000 kWh of electricity per year. 
• Medium-sized businesses: Approximately 45,000 kWh of gas and up to 50,000 kWh of electricity per year. 
• Large businesses: More than 65,000 kWh of gas and more than 50,000 kWh of electricity per year. 

What Is the Average Business Energy Bill in June 2024? 

The amount you pay for energy depends on your business’s deal, how and when you use energy, and your workplace’s energy efficiency. The size and location of your business also play a role. 

To give you a rough idea of typical costs, here are the estimated annual energy bills for different sizes of businesses: 

To learn more about business energy bills, check out our guide to understanding business energy bills. 

Note: Prices are correct as of June 2024. Rates and bill sizes may vary according to your meter type and business location. The quotes you receive may differ from the averages shown. These figures represent the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Business Quote for different business sizes from June 1 to June 12, 2024. 

Is the Government Offering Any Help for High Business Energy Bills? 

Since 2021, the government has introduced several schemes to support businesses facing high energy bills. The latest scheme, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, ended on 31 March 2024. As energy prices have decreased since the spike in 2022, no further government support has been announced. 

Unlike domestic energy, there is no price cap for business energy, making prices more volatile. Although rates are lower than during the 2022 spike, they remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. While we cannot predict the market, energy rates have historically tended to rise annually. 

Therefore, it is still prudent to compare business energy suppliers to find the lowest possible rates. Securing a fixed deal can protect you from further price volatility and help you avoid rolling onto your supplier’s usually more expensive out-of-contract rates. 

What Types of Business Energy Deals Are Available? 

When comparing new business energy deals, there are four main types of tariffs to consider: 

• Fixed Term Energy Tariffs: These tariffs typically last between one and four years, during which the unit cost and standing charges remain constant. 
• Blend and Extend Tariffs: These deals allow you to extend the length of your current contract with the same supplier, who will reward your loyalty with lower rates. 
• Flex Approach Tariffs: With this tariff, you can take advantage of favourable wholesale rates by purchasing your energy for the months or years ahead, usually when costs are low. 
• Pass-Through Tariffs: This type of tariff splits your bill between fixed wholesale energy costs and variable elements that make up the unit rates, ideal for businesses that do not require price certainty. 

Each tariff is designed to meet the diverse needs of business energy users. To learn more, visit our guide on business energy tariffs. 

What Affects Business Energy Prices? 

It may seem like energy prices are always rising, but they actually fluctuate, making the timing of your switch crucial. Several factors contribute to these price changes: 

• Increase in Demand: Energy prices dropped to record lows during the first lockdown of 2020 due to reduced industrial energy demand. As things returned to normal and demand for power increased, prices went up. 
• Global Events: Oil prices are heavily influenced by global events. Conflict, uncertainty, or natural disasters in oil or gas-producing countries can limit production and accessibility, pushing up prices. For instance, in 2019, a political crisis and U.S. sanctions on Venezuela caused a spike in oil prices, which in turn increased global energy prices. 
• Strength of the Pound: Currency fluctuations affect energy costs, especially since the UK imports much of its energy from Europe. A strong pound against the euro makes energy cheaper, while a weak pound drives prices up. Brexit has contributed to rising prices due to its impact on the pound’s strength. 
• Weather: Weather conditions significantly impact energy prices. A cold winter increases energy demand for heating, driving prices up. Additionally, reliance on renewable energy sources means that a lack of wind can lead to increased use of natural gas in power stations, raising prices. Energy suppliers buy wholesale energy in advance, and prices are linked to weather forecasts. Short-term favourable weather forecasts can lower prices, while long-term forecasts can also influence them. 
• Price Cap: Introduced to prevent ‘rip-off’ energy prices, the price cap provides a baseline for energy prices. Although it primarily affects domestic energy customers, its influence has caused prices to cluster around the cap level, reducing the number of competitively priced deals, even for fixed-rate tariffs. This has led to increased prices across the board. 
• Distribution and Transport Costs: These include green taxes like the Climate Change Levy (CCL) payments and VAT costs, which add to the overall cost of energy beyond wholesale prices. 

Understanding these factors can help you make more informed decisions when comparing business energy prices. 

What Is the Difference Between Business Energy and Household Energy? 

There are several key differences between business energy contracts and household energy deals: 

• Bespoke Contracts: Business energy tariffs are not ‘off-the-shelf’; instead, they are tailored to meet the specific needs of each business. 
• Fixed-Term Contracts: Business energy contracts are typically fixed-term with no option to terminate early. Unlike domestic energy deals, there is no cooling-off period for business energy contracts. It’s important to understand the terms before signing. 
• Early Contract Renewal: New business energy contracts can be signed up to ten months before the current contract’s end date, but the new contract won’t start until the current one ends. Domestic energy users can switch contracts at any time, though they may face early exit fees if their contract has not entered its final 49 days. 
• Dual Fuel Option: While businesses can get both gas and electricity from the same supplier, there is no dual fuel option for businesses as there is for households. 
• Special Cases: The rules differ slightly for businesses that operate from home or are classified as micro-businesses. For more information, refer to our guide on micro business energy.