Business Electricity
Touchstone are a leading Energy Management Broker who look at your total energy situation, not just trying to shave a few hundred pounds off your current energy contracts.
Where are you now on your energy journey?
Where are you heading?
We accomplish this by learning about you, your operations, your sites, and your aspirations in the world of energy.
First up: Get better electricity prices.
Switch Electricity Supplier?
Not all Business Energy Suppliers suit all types of business. Different UK Business energy suppliers favour different business sectors and can provide market-leading energy prices for those that match their criteria. Some prefer hospitality, others like big industrial sites, some are good with multi-sites whilst others favour smaller businesses and charities. If you go to the right one, you are more likely to get better prices. Certain suppliers can provide excellent gas prices but are not competitive for Half Hourly (HH) electricity supplies whilst others prefer high consumption electricity but are expensive for smaller electric supplies. Knowing which ones to approach in each given situation is key.
What are the Current Business Electricity Prices per kWh?
Compare business electricity rates per kWh below.
(Based on a 12-month Non-Half Hourly (NHH) fully-fixed contract)
Business Electricity Rates: Summer 2020: Price per Kilowatt Hour (kWh)
Micro Business
5,000 – 100,000 kWh
13.5 to 15.2 p
Small Business
100,000 – 292,000 kWh
12.9 to 13.8 p
Medium Business (SME)
292,000 – 500,000 kWh
12.5 to 13.6p
Large Business
500,000 – 1,000,000 kWh
12.4 to 12.7 p
Get a Business Electricity Quote Now
For Half Hourly (HH) Electricity Contract Prices
How do I know which electricity contract is right for me?
Over recent years electricity contracts have become more and more complex. There are numerous add-on costs including environmental taxes and other non-energy costs. If you are a heavy electricity user with Half Hourly Meters, operating on some evenings and weekends and have periods of intense energy usage, you will need a bespoke price from a select group of suppliers. Obtaining prices may take several days as suppliers review your consumption, site profile and credit rating. In contrast, small electricity users can obtain prices almost immediately, once their credit risk is evaluated. Touchstone runs credit checks as a matter of course to help speed up the process. It all depends on what type of business you are, shape of electricity usage, type of electricity meter and your appetite for risk. Touchstone will take the time to understand what offers the best balance between price and performance.
Why is this important when negotiating an energy contract?
Energy suppliers will take a view on your business, and if they like what they see, they can be more competitive on the unit rate and standing charges. However, they will look at your credit score, consider how long you have been operating, and the sector you operate in. They will also evaluate your annual consumption (how much gas and electricity you use every year). The more gas and electricity you use the higher the potential for better prices, and if it all stacks up, then they will be flexible in order to win your business. This is where a competent, professional energy broker can help you. With close professional relationships amongst a range of energy suppliers we will work with those most likely to be eager for your business, and by creating competition amongst them, we will secure best market rates for you.
Keeping Energy Buying Simple
It is a fact that electricity for business supply contracts today are complex. A single supplier, SSE, has more than 6 different contracts for the same supply. There is a Green Energy price, a Brown Energy price, a Direct Debit price, a different price if you pay by BACs. One price if you have a Smart Meter, and another for old-style dumb meters. One price if you want to fully protect against any possible increases during the life of the contract, and another for one that is only partially protected. There are pass-through contracts, flexible contracts, fixed term contracts, partially fixed contracts and fully fixed contracts. Some of these would be fine for you, others would be risky.
How do you choose the right Business Energy Contract?
COMPARE BUSINESS ELECTRICITY RATES
Business electricity prices have risen constantly over the last decade and represent a major cost for many UK businesses, so don’t accept a renewal price from your electricity supplier without checking you can get a better tariff elsewhere.
There are a huge number of suppliers to choose from, so finding the best deals on business electricity can be complicated, tedious and time consuming.
We compare business electricity prices for you from hundreds of tariffs in seconds, helping you make the right choice and secure a great deal.
Get a Quote Now
How Can I Find the Lowest Business Electricity Rates?
Timing is crucial. Things such as weather and political disruption can affect market movements. You need to be ready and prepared to move quickly. Electricity tariffs can be withdrawn or increased within hours. When the price looks good, accept them. Waiting around to squeeze extra savings may cost you.
Tip: Be sure to shop around and try and select the electricity supplier that favours your business sector.
Note: All electricity contracts are liable to automatic rollover terms. So, make sure you submit your Termination Letter to your current electricity supplier before signing a new one. If you do not terminate your contract your will be placed on Deemed Rates, also known as Rollover Rates. These can be as much as double your current tariff.
Suppliers send contract renewal letters to Micro Businesses but not to Non-Micro Businesses. If you are a Non-Micro Business, you need to terminate your current electricity agreement proactively.
Contract Management is part of Touchstone’s client service and we can manage these processes on your behalf.
* Be careful, if you don’t submit termination and replace your existing contract you will be placed on Deemed Rates
* Make sure that before switching occurs, your current contract runs its full course before moving to a new one.
What happens when I switch my business electric supplier?
There won’t be any disruptions to your supply when you switch between business electricity suppliers. Your new supplier will coordinate the transfer with your old one and make all the arrangements for the switch-over. Be aware, unlike domestic electricity deals, business electricity contracts do not have a cooling off period.
You need to make sure you take an up-to-date meter reading and send the final electricity meter reading to your old supplier so they can send an accurate final bill, and an opening meter reading to your new supplier.
The switch should take no more than four-to-six weeks, although it can be completed within 3 weeks.
Green Electricity
Are you committed to helping the environment with and demonstrating your sustainability credentials by choosing a Green Electricity contract? If so, make sure it is duly certificated with a REGO Certificate. Touchstone only deals with full authenticated green energy supplies.
What are REGOs?
All electricity suppliers in the UK have to disclose how the electricity they supply has been generated. The REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin) certifies that the electricity purchased comes from a renewable source.
Although Green customers get their electricity through the national grid as normal, it’s matched to REGOs allocated by Ofgem. So the electricity you buy is deemed to be 100% renewable energy. The scheme, which is administered by Ofgem, is designed so that for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable electricity produced, Ofgem issues one REGO to the generator. These certificates certify that the energy is green.
However, some energy suppliers buy their electricity from the wholesale market then purchase enough green certificates to match – without actually buying any power from renewable generators.
We offer Fully 100% renewable energy products which allow organisations to report zero emissions for their purchased electricity. This means we can help you demonstrate your company’s renewable credentials and show your positive commitment to sustainable values by choosing green electricity and green gas.
Get a Green Electricity Quote Now
Am I a Micro Business?
What is the difference between a Micro Business, and a Non-Micro Business regarding utilities?
This is important to know as they are treated differently by energy suppliers and have different protections under Ofgem rules..
A Micro Business is defined as: A non-domestic consumer that meets one of the following criteria:
- employs fewer than 10 employees (or their part time equivalent)
- Uses less than 100,000 kWh of electricity per year
- Uses less than 293,000 kWh of gas per year
- Generates a yearly turnover of no more than 2 million euros
Ofgem have put in place changes that enable micro business customers to give termination notice at any time during their contract period, in order to stop suppliers requiring termination notice only during a narrow time period (typically 30 days). Suppliers must also clearly state the contract end date and notice period on bills and statements for micro business consumers on fixed term contracts. You are deemed to be a Micro Business if you meet anyone of the above criteria. Otherwise, you are treated as a Non-Micro Business.
Non-micro businesses are not protected under the above safeguards and need to be vigilant as to the terms of their contract renewals.
There can be significant differences when quoting gas and electricity micro and non-micro businesses. Generally, micro businesses can be quoted quickly with published supplier prices that meet most needs. Non-micro businesses often require bespoke pricing. This can take up to 5 days with many suppliers who will analyse the details thoroughly.
What is a Half Hourly Meter?
Government initiatives are forcing more and more businesses to convert from Non-Half Hourly (NHH) supplies to Half Hourly (HH) supplies. A Half-Hourly electricity meter is a class of metering system which employs Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) to generate consumption data. There are two basic objectives to this. The first is to help balance the national grid, which is increasingly important today, with our increasing reliance on intermittent renewable energy sources, and the second is to help the end user gain sufficient insight into their energy data so as to find ways of reducing it. These are both admirable and helpful objectives but come at a cost. The technology provides much improved accuracy which can result in more accurate electricity bills. It is so named because it automatically reports on your electricity consumption in half-hourly increments on a daily basis. More importantly, it provides the consumer with the opportunity to find areas where they are wasting electricity. A good Energy Management system will highlight times of day when you are using electricity when you shouldn’t be.
Get a Half Hourly meter Quote
We will help you get the best HH prices by providing suppliers with your consumption data, carry out credit checks and evaluate your max-demand and site capacity. Did you know that many HH electricity users are paying substantially more for their allocated site capacity than they need? We will check that your allocated capacity is best suited to your site demand. This can lead to significant annual savings.
Once we have processed your supply details, we commence supplier selection and review contract terms and conditions on your behalf.
You will require a Meter Operator Contract (MOP) for a Half Hourly Meter
Meter Operator Contracts (MOP) are required for Half Hourly (HH) profile electricity meters. As specialist Brokers, Touchstone can save you money on your Meter Operator contract. We have access to some of the cheapest MOP contracts on the market.
Get a Quote for your MOP and Data Collection.
How do I know if I have a Half Hourly (HH) Meter?
Your meter profile forms part of your Metering Point Administration Number also known as MPAN, Supply Number or S-Number. It is a 21 digit reference, used to uniquely identify electricity supply points. The gas equivalent is the Meter Point Reference Number.
The profile class is indicated as the first two digits of the top line. You should find your MPAN on your electricity invoice. If you can’t, just contact Touchstone.
Multi-site and Multi Meter Electricity Pricing
If you have a business that operates multiple sites with multiple meters you already know that managing utility contracts is time-consuming and complex. Every time you come to renew or re-negotiate your terms and prices you need to dedicate time and energy to ensuring all site, consumption and meter details are correct and then navigate between competing suppliers. Preferably, all your supplies should be consolidated into one single tender with a single start and finish date for all your services. If not, Touchstone can co-terminate all your supplies which will lead to efficient and rapid tendering.
Touchstone can help you identify and organise all your supplies and submit tenders for multiple electricity and gas supplies to a range of suppliers.
If you have more than 3 sites and would like to get Multi-site gas and electricity quotes:
How to Save Money on Electricity Bills
You can save money in various ways to reduce your overall yearly electric invoices.
1. Switch Contracts Regularly
Switch to the cheapest available electricity tariff by using Touchstone’s comparison services, but remember, price isn’t everything, customer service and reliability are also to be highly valued. However, getting the lowest electricity price should be your main approach.
Switching annually is the most common choice, but more companies are choosing to opt for longer term two and three-year agreements.
Be careful though! You may think you are comparing like-for-like, but electricity contracts are complex. Many electricity contracts do not cover charges that are levied by 3rd parties. Check to see if these charges are included and are fully fixed for the duration of the contract
2. Pay by Direct Debit
Always pay by Direct Debit to discount your bills by up to an additional 6%.
3. Become more Energy Efficient
Basic energy efficiency measures in your organisation could cut costs by an additional 10% and sometimes a lot more. Solutions range from changing human behaviour to updating obsolete and inefficient electrical equipment.
4. Manage Your Electricity Consumption
Take advantage of energy management software systems which can analyse electricity consumption levels and patterns. These systems increase invoice accuracy and can help you reduce your consumption. The data highlights where electricity is being used on a daily basis. This allows you to refine your processes, adjust working patterns and decrease costs.
5. Don’t believe the hype about Business Smart Meters!
Get an Electric Smart Meter Installed and with professional help, you could save thousands of £s a year and eliminate estimated bills. Electricity and Gas Smart Meters provides regular correct readings and ensures you’re not overcharged.
Moving premises:
Are you moving into, refurbishing or expanding your business premises?
If so, your gas and electricity demand may well change, and this may require a higher capacity gas meter, an increase in pipework capacity or a change of electricity meter.
We routinely upgrade gas and electricity meters, gas infrastructure and supply connections for large and small businesses so you can be confident your project will be well managed.
What happens if I move into premises without signing a new contract?
If your business moves into a new property with existing utility supplies and starts to consume any utility without signing a contract, you will be subject to expensive ‘deemed rates’. To avoid this, you should seek a new supply contract prior to occupying the premises.
What happens to my utilities when I move out of premises?
Energy contracts relate to site the meter points: MPAN (electric), MPRN (gas). These are specific to your site address. When you leave your current premises, your contract will cease from the day that you move out. It will not transfer to your new address and you will need a new contract. Be sure to take meter readings when you leave your old building and for your new building on the days you leave and enter.
If you are happy with your current supplier, you can contact them to obtain prices for supplying your new premises. They will require information on the new site, the date you take occupancy and the opening meter readings. They may also require sight of the lease. Make sure you compare any prices you are offered with general market rates provided by other suppliers. Touchstone can arrange for a whole-of-market comparison on your behalf to find the best deal.
When connecting electricity or gas, you will find it is generally straightforward but the process of comparing energy quotes can be time consuming and complex. We realise you will have many things to consider when moving into new premises and getting help and advice on energy related matters can save you time and money.
Touchstone are well positioned to get all your services installed with minimum fuss and provide you with best market rates for your utility contracts.
Do you need a New Electric Connection or New Gas Supply? We can take care of all your Utilities Connections
Get a Business Electricity Smart Meter Installed
Do away with estimated bills. A new Electric Smart Meter provides regular correct readings and ensures you’re not overcharged.