Business Electricity
Why Choose Us
Why choose Utility Bidder for business electricity comparisons?
Scalable Merchant Services enable your business to receive fast secure efficient card terminal solutions which adapt according to your enterprise requirements.
- Expert advice tailored to your business needs
- Price comparisons specific to your business’s electricity requirements
- Fully-managed services from start to finish
- Top-rated customer support (Excellent on Trustpilot)
- Competitive quotes from trusted electricity suppliers
- Live pricing data for the most up-to-date quotes
- Best prices guaranteed
- In over experience helping businesses save money by switching
Understanding business electricity rates
This is the price your business pays per unit of electricity it uses. Suppliers typically list this in pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). Unit rates can change due to things like: Fluctuations in wholesale prices caused by supply and demand dynamics. Fixed-rate contract types allowing you to lock in lower unit rates for specified periods. Bulk consumption discounts for businesses that use a lot of electricity.
This is a fixed daily fee that covers the cost of supplying electricity to your business. It includes the maintenance of the national grid and other distribution infrastructure. Even if your business doesn’t use electricity (e.g. if you shut down over the Christmas period), the standing charge still applies. Similarly to unit rates, standing charges can vary from supplier to supplier and can significantly impact overall costs, especially for businesses with lower electricity consumptions.
Certain additional charges may also apply to your business’ electricity contract. Unless you’re exempt, you’ll need to pay the Climate Change Levy (CCL) on top of your electricity bill. This is added to your bill as a separate charge, so might not be included in the price per unit that you’re quoted. You’ll also pay VAT, which is charged at a standard rate of 20%. Discounted VAT rates of 5% are available for qualifying businesses that use at least 60% of their electricity domestically or consume less than 33 kWh of electricity daily (1000 kWh monthly). Read our full guide to learn more about VAT rates on gas and electricity.
But switching electricity providers is a hassle, why should I bother?
Compared with domestic electricity usage, businesses use significant amounts each year, meaning even the smallest of savings can really add up. Compare and switch to more competitive rates to avoid overpayments piling up.
Many suppliers will automatically switch you to a deemed rate if you move business premises and the charges on these are usually far greater. If you move to a new office or site, switch suppliers to avoid defaulting to a more expensive tariff.
Some electricity contracts will move you onto a variable rate after a set period, and these are often more expensive than fixed tariffs. Checking your contract and switching to a fixed-rate plan can stabilise your electricity costs.
As your business grows, so does your energy consumption. With more staff and possibly bigger or multiple locations, your energy needs will increase. This makes finding the right energy deal even more important to keep your costs under control.
Cost savings aside, a reliable supplier with excellent customer service is vital. Being able to resolve any issues quickly and efficiently minimises disruptions to operations, safeguarding finances and your reputation with existing clients.
Switching suppliers can provide access to green electricity tariffs, reducing your company’s carbon footprint. This is increasingly important as customers and partners prioritise sustainability and hold businesses to ever-higher environmental standards.
Business electricity deals: What to consider when comparing
Fixed rates offer stability, making budgeting easier, while flexible rates can vary with the market, potentially offering savings but also risking higher costs. Weigh up what’s more important to your business when comparing electricity deals.
Long-term electricity contracts may offer lower rates but limit your flexibility to switch. Short-term contracts provide more opportunities to reassess but might come with higher rates. Balance your need for cost control with the flexibility to change.
Businesses have different electricity demands depending on size and industry, so explore suppliers that cater to your load requirements specifically. Some providers offer demand-side response (DSR) and off-peak rates that can benefit businesses able to shift their usage during peak times.
Different suppliers offer various payment methods, such as direct debit, monthly billing, or pay-as-you-go. Some methods may come with discounts or additional fees. Choose a payment method that aligns with your cash flow and financial management preferences.
Watch out for extra fees, such as early termination charges or setup fees. These can add unexpected costs to your energy bill. Understanding all potential fees helps you accurately compare the true cost of each deal and avoid nasty surprises after signing a contract.
Certain providers may offer businesses smart meters to help you keep track of your consumption in real time. Others may offer half-hourly meters that allow for more accurate billing and energy management, which may benefit larger businesses with higher usages.
Businesses smart meters to help you keep track of your consumption in real time. Others may offer half-hourly meters that allow for more accurate billing and energy management, which may benefit larger businesses with higher usages.
Getting stuck in a contract and being unable to switch without incurring charges is never ideal, so make sure you understand whether there are any early exit fees, automatic renewal terms, or other hidden clauses before signing.
Compare renewable business energy tariffs
Supplier certifications
Overall environmental impact
Contract terms
CSR profile and transparency
