Business energy, explained for UK small businesses
Independent, plain-English help with business gas and electricity — what you pay, what your contract says, how to switch and what to do when something goes wrong.
Christmas specialThe Ghosts of Business EnergyScrooge, three ghosts and a factory electricity bill — with the real figures behind the story.Start with a topic
Switching supplier
How comparison works, what quotes need, timings and switching problems.Prices, rates and charges
Unit rates, standing charges, averages by business size and why prices move.Contracts and renewals
Fixed, flexible and rolling contracts, renewals and termination.Brokers and commission
How brokers are paid, what must be disclosed and how to choose one.Bills and readings
Reading a bill, estimated bills, back-billing and payment problems.Meters and meter numbers
Smart and half-hourly meters, MPAN and MPRN numbers and meter readings.Moving, new premises and deemed contracts
New premises, change of tenancy, deemed and out-of-contract rates.Business energy by sector
Energy guidance for shops, cafés, pubs, salons, offices, farms, charities and more.Supplier guides
Neutral guides to UK business suppliers: contacts, switching away and complaints.Green energy, solar and EV
Renewable tariffs, REGOs, solar, batteries and EV charging for business.Saving energy
Practical ways for small businesses to use less energy.Government support and grants
What government help exists for business energy costs.Complaints, debt and supplier failure
Complaints, the Energy Ombudsman, debt, disconnection and supplier failure.VAT, CCL and levies
VAT, the Climate Change Levy and other charges on business energy bills.
Free business energy calculators
Business energy cost calculator
Work out a yearly business electricity or gas bill from the unit rate, standing charge and usage, including Climate ChanVAT and Climate Change Levy checker
Check whether a business energy bill should charge 20% or 5% VAT and the Climate Change Levy, using HMRC's de minimiGas units to kWh converter
Convert business gas meter readings in cubic metres or hundreds of cubic feet into kWh using the calorific value on yourOut-of-contract energy cost calculator
See how much staying on an out-of-contract or deemed business energy rate costs compared with agreeing a fixed contract.
Most-read business energy guides
Business energy comparison: how it works, what a quote contains and where it falls short
How business energy comparison works in the UK: comparison sites, panels and brokers, what a quote must show, and how toHow to switch business energy supplier: steps, timings and common snags
How to switch business energy supplier in the UK: ten steps, notice rules, when you can leave, switching with arrears anBusiness electricity prices per kWh in the UK
What UK businesses pay for electricity per kWh: official average, indicative rates by size, day and night rates, what isIs there a price cap on business energy?
There is no Ofgem price cap on business gas or electricity. Here is why, which protections do exist, and how to stop payBusiness energy contracts explained
Business energy contracts explained: fixed, variable, flexible, deemed and rollover tariffs, what each costs and what toBest business energy supplier: how to judge one for your business
There is no single best business energy supplier. Learn how to judge price, service, billing, contract terms and complaiBusiness energy quotes: what you need before you ask
What to have ready for a business energy quote: MPAN, MPRN, usage, contract end date and supplier, plus how to compare qHow to choose a business energy broker (and check they are trustworthy)
A practical checklist for choosing a business energy broker: how they are paid, dispute scheme membership, questions toAverage business energy rates by business size
Indicative UK business gas and electricity rates for micro, small, medium and large users, with standing charges, a workBusiness gas prices per kWh in the UK
UK business gas rates per kWh: the official average, indicative rates by size, standing charges, seasonality and a workeBusiness energy standing charges: what they are and what's typical
What a business energy standing charge is, typical pence-per-day figures for gas and electricity, why they vary and howDeemed contracts, out-of-contract rates and moving business premises
What a deemed contract is, how out-of-contract rates compare, your rights, and what to do on a change of tenancy or movi
How business energy differs from home energy
Business energy runs on different rules from home energy. There is no price cap, contracts are usually fixed for one to five years, there is no cooling-off period once you agree a deal, and an expired contract can leave you on rates far higher than a negotiated one. Most small businesses only look at their energy when a renewal letter arrives or a bill jumps. These guides are written for that moment.
Every guide is checked against primary sources — Ofgem, HMRC, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Energy Ombudsman and the legislation itself — and each page lists the sources it relies on and the date it was last reviewed. We are not an energy supplier and we are not a broker.
Where to start: contracts, switching supplier and bills
- Contract ending soon? Read about business energy contracts and how to switch before the renewal window closes.
- Moved into new premises? You are probably on a deemed contract — see moving premises and deemed contracts.
- Bill looks wrong? Work through how to read a business energy bill, then check the VAT and Climate Change Levy with our VAT and CCL checker.
- Talking to a broker? Read energy brokers and commission first so you know what you are paying for.
- Dispute going nowhere? See energy disputes and the Energy Ombudsman.
Business energy questions small businesses ask most
- How long does it take to switch business energy supplier?
- Is the cheapest business energy deal always the best one?
- Why doesn't the household price cap apply to businesses?
- Can I compare business energy while I'm still in contract?
- Is comparing business energy free?
- Will my supply be interrupted when I switch business energy supplier?
- How much more do deemed rates cost than fixed rates?
- How do I get off a deemed or out-of-contract rate?
- How do comparison sites decide which suppliers to show?
- Can I switch business energy for several buildings at once?
- Why was my business energy switch rejected or delayed?
- Can I switch business energy supplier if I owe money to my current one?