Compare business energy deals
Looking for better business electricity rates? Run a business energy comparison and see how much you could save - get started below.
What is business energy?
Business energy refers to energy tariffs specifically aimed at businesses rather than domestic properties. You can't compare and switch tariffs like you can with home energy - instead, the process is handled by brokers who gather quotes for tariffs that could last years as opposed to the usual 12-18 months of a domestic fixed energy deal. Electricity and gas also has to be negotiated separately - there's no such thing as a dual fuel business energy tariff.
What's happening in the business energy market?
Business energy prices have been affected by the wholesale energy market situation in the same way as domestic energy prices, and this has led to a huge amount of financial pressure, particularly for smaller companies now having to deal with high business energy rates. Because the energy price cap only applies to domestic energy and not business energy, there was no limit to how high business energy prices might rise.
What government support is there for business energy customers?
Similarly to domestic energy customers, the government is financially supporting businesses with their high energy costs. The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) runs until 31 March 2024 and reduces gas and electricity unit costs for businesses. To qualify, the wholesale element of a business's unit rate must be over the government threshold.
The scheme runs slightly differently for businesses in Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII). ETII businesses will receive a larger discount on the first 70% of their energy consumption, with the last 30% receiving the standard EBDS discount. These companies will need to register with the government as an energy-intensive business.
Non-domestic customers that aren’t businesses, such as schools and hospitals, may also qualify for the EBDS. Qualifying organisations need to be on:
- A fixed price contract that started on or after 1 December 2021
- A standard variable agreement
- A deemed or out-of-contract tariff
- Flexible purchase or a similar contract.
Why should I use Uswitch to compare business energy?
Uswitch is the most popular domestic energy comparison site in the UK. Our business energy comparison service, UswitchforBusiness, is designed to take the hassle out of switching your utilities, so you can get on with running your business.
It’s quick and easy to compare and switch business energy tariffs with UswitchforBusiness. We compare business energy deals from a range of domestic energy providers alongside specialist business energy suppliers so you can find the business electricity rates that suit you. Get started below.
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How does UswitchforBusiness work?
You can send us your details online or call us for free and we’ll compare business energy deals that are suitable for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a sole trader or a blue chip business - if you run a business that pays energy bills, we’ll do our best to help you find a cheap business energy tariff.
Running a Uswitch business energy comparison should save plenty of time compared to approaching business electric and gas providers yourself. To effectively compare business energy prices you need to compare quotes from several providers. We'll save you time by searching for the best business energy prices on your behalf.
Why should I run a business energy comparison?
Just like domestic energy, the best rates are usually offered to new customers. If you signed up to a fixed-rate business energy tariff and the plan has ended or ends soon, you could be automatically rolled onto a new contract. This contract might not offer the best value for you, so it’s important to shop around.
If you moved to a business premises without agreeing a contract with a supplier, you might be on a deemed contract. These types of business energy contract are on average 80% more expensive than negotiated contracts, so you could make significant savings by running a business energy comparison and switching.
How do I choose the best business energy supplier?
Different business electric and gas providers will have their own terms and conditions, as well as benefits and drawbacks that might make or break your decision to commit to a new business energy contract.
UswitchforBusiness provides a simple and efficient service to find the best energy deals for businesses of all shapes and sizes. We do all the search for you, so you don’t have to spend time trawling through all the commercial energy suppliers’ offers.
Simply enter your postcode and we’ll work out your energy usage. One of our UK-based energy experts will compare business energy quotes for you and give you a quick call back to discuss your options.
Alternatively, call us for free and we’ll discuss your business energy needs.
Which business energy suppliers does UswitchforBusiness work with?
As well as specialist commercial energy providers, some well-known domestic energy suppliers also offer business gas and electricity tariffs for companies of all sizes.
- British Gas
- Crown Gas & Power
- Drax
- EDF Energy
- npower Business Solutions, powered by E.ON
- Opus Energy
- ScottishPower
- SEE
- Shell Energy
- Smartest Energy
- Total Energies
- Valda Energy.
What types of business energy tariff are available?
Fixed-rate tariff
This is the most common type of business energy deal and the best way to protect against energy price hikes. Unit rates are agreed in advance with your supplier and are locked in for the duration of the contract. Suppliers usually keep their most competitive prices for fixed deals. Even so, it's worth comparing business electricity prices before you sign up with a supplier, as you may find a cheaper fix elsewhere.
Flex approach tariffs
If your business is energy-intensive, it can use a flex approach tariff to buy bulk electricity in advance. This tariff comes with a risk that your contract will be up for renewal at a time when prices are high.
Pass through tariffs
This type of tariff splits your business energy bills so that things like Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges, National Grid levies and Feed-in Tariff charges are billed separately to your unit rates and standing charges.
Deemed rate tariff
Deemed rate tariffs work on 28-day rolling terms that come into effect if you fail to formally agree a new contract with your supplier before your current deal ends. Deemed rate contracts charge inflated rates, but you can switch from these more costly tariffs by giving just 28 days' notice.
How do I switch my business energy?
UswitchforBusiness has relationships with dozens of suppliers across the country and can help you run a business energy comparison or gas comparison.
To switch your business energy:
- Check your renewal window on your current energy contract and see when you’re allowed to switch suppliers
- Contact UswitchforBusiness on 0800 188 4930 or request a call back by filling in the quote form
- Tell the business energy experts about your business’s energy requirements including whether you want to run a business electricity comparison, gas comparison or both
- Leave the rest to us and we’ll get back to you with a shortlist of the cheapest business electricity and gas deals for you.
If your business energy contract is not in its renewal window, let us know and we’ll monitor the situation and get back in touch to remind you to switch.
What's the difference between switching domestic and business energy?
If you’ve never switched business energy before, you might think it’s similar to switching your domestic energy – something many people do every year to save money.
While there are some similarities, there are a couple of key differences:
- Business energy contracts are longer. Household energy contracts tend to last for 12-18 months, while commercial energy contracts can last for up to five years. That means you can fix your business energy prices for longer and don’t have to shop around as regularly.
- Business gas and electricity is separate. While many households use the same supplier for gas and electricity, there’s no such thing as a dual fuel tariff for commercial energy. We'll help you to compare business electric suppliers as well as gas suppliers.
Business energy guides
Our services are provided at no cost to you. We may receive a commission from the companies we refer to you, but this does not affect what you will pay for the product you choose.
