30 Jun
How to Switch Commercial Energy Suppliers
Posted on Jun 30, 2017 by D-ENERGi
The ability for firms to switch commercial energy suppliers is much easier than many of them probably realise.
Indeed, a Competition and Markets Authority survey that around 40% of firms have never switched energy suppliers so they are probably paying more for their energy needs than necessary.
A simple call to switching experts such as the D-Energi team will reveal how much a business can save but this depends on the nature of the industry they are in.
In many ways, swithcing business energy suppliers is rather like that for switching suppliers for our homes.
Find a commercial energy quote
The first step is to find a commercial energy quote the business likes and opt for a tariff that best meets their needs.
It’s also possible that the firm can save time and energy from shopping around a vairety of suppliers by suing experts who understand how the commercial energy market works.
They will have access to the latest plans and tariffs and can then deal with any relevant paperwork to switch between suppliers.
Firms also need to appreciate, in case they may be worried, that there will be no loss of supply during the switchover process.
Finding better commercial energy prices
Indeed, finding better commercial energy prices is easy to do with the help of the team at D-Energi though they could use online comparison websites to get a feel for the market rates being charged.
Since deregulation, lots of energy suppliers have entered the market and are offering a wide variety of deals, tariffs and plans to attract customers.
This was the ultimate aim of deregulation with the government believing that this would lead to greater competition, lower prices and better levels of customer service.
It’s easy for firms to switch commercial energy suppliers
This has now been achieved and while it’s easy for firms to switch commercial energy suppliers, they will need to pay any outstanding bills before the process can take place.
In addition, firms cannot switch suppliers until a window of opportunity opens in their current contract; they cannot break an energy contract for a cheaper deal.
Some energy suppliers may allow this to happen but they may also charge exit fees – which may be more than the firm will make in savings.
For more help and information about how firms can switch commercial energy suppliers to save money on their overheads or expert tips, it’s time to speak with the helpful team at D-Energi.
For any organisation looking for business energy suppliers, the market will appear to be complicated to navigate.
While there are lots of business energy suppliers, including the better-known names, there are lots of opportunities to reduce energy bills with just a little bit of effort.
So, for those who are looking to find the cheapest business electricity and gas deals, it’s important to find a contract that meets their needs and reduces energy bills.
It should also be appreciated that suppliers will be offering a range of services as well as lower prices in a bid to entice potential new commercial customers.
This means it is worth the time taking a look at what they have to offer.
Business electricity suppliers who offer a low a fixed price
Indeed, some organisations may prefer to find those business electricity suppliers who offer a low a fixed price and longer contract term.
For many organisations, this policy would make sound financial sense since energy experts are predicting that energy prices will rise over the coming years.
To find the best deals, organisations also need to understand that while they could check comparison websites to find lower prices, these prices may not be available to their business.
That’s because business energy suppliers will offer a bespoke deal and the organisation will need to find two quotes for their electricity and gas usage.
Unlike for householders, organisations cannot get a dual fuel deal and must find separate quotes for each fuel type. While this may appear to create an obstacle, it also presents the opportunity to have two separate energy suppliers for gas and electricity offering the best prices.
So, when it comes to accessing accurate quotes an organisation will need a recent energy bill to hand.
Potential new business energy supplier
This will have on it important information for the potential new business energy supplier, including the meter registration number so the supplier will know exactly where the organisation is.
The bill will also show up the energy rates being charged and the organisation will also need to know when the current contract comes to an end.
This is because they cannot switch energy suppliers mid-term and can only give notice to quit their current supplier in the weeks before the contract comes to an end.
However, if the organisation owes their supplier money then they may be prevented from switching suppliers until the bill is finally settled.
Also, there will be lots of organisations who have not switched suppliers previously and so their commercial energy contract will have been automatically ‘rolled-over’.
In this situation, these organisations will probably be on a ‘deemed’ contract and are likely to be paying more for their energy than they need to but they can leave a deemed contract for a new supplier at any time.
Compare business gas suppliers
There are lots of reasons why an organisation should undertake to compare business gas suppliers for their prices as well as electricity suppliers, on a regular basis, and the main one is to ensure that they are not paying more than they need to for their business energy supply.
It also helps to keep abreast of the market for prices and new suppliers entering with better offers.
Once the firm finds a potential new supplier, they will then have an energy package tailored to their business needs.
Some commercial energy providers also undertake an analysis of their customer’s usage to ensure they get the best deal that suits them and highlight ways to save money by using less energy as well.
So, for organisations that are looking to lower overheads and beat ever-increasing business energy prices, it will pay to search the market and find a cheaper energy supplier.
Savings that can be made every year
While this may sound complicated and time-consuming, it’s a process that will pay dividends because the savings that can be made every year range from several hundred to several thousands of pounds.
While the savings can be impressive, it should also be appreciated that the savings are applicable to organisations of all sizes whether they are small or large and range from one-man bands to multisite operations.
However, the most efficient way of searching the market for business energy suppliers and finding great deals is to contact a firm that specialises in sourcing these deals and that means contacting the experts at D-Energi who will be pleased to help.
Read Article There’s no doubt the process for a business to switch energy suppliers is much easier now than it has been previously – particularly for small firms.
One reason for this is that Ofgem, the energy market regulator, has brought in rules that enable a business to find a better business electricity or gas contract than they currently enjoy.
However, it is important to appreciate that the business owner will need to arrange their new business energy deal while they have more than 30 days remaining on their contract.
It’s important to appreciate too, that before a fixed term contract ends, usually around 60 days beforehand, the firm’s energy supplier must tell them how much energy they have used each year and how their current deal will compare with their new contract deal.
Essentially, this information will put the business in a strong position for negotiating a new business energy deal with a potential new supplier when their current contract comes to an end.
Find a new business energy supplier
This change means that business can either remain with their current supplier and continue with their new tariff or shop around to find a new business energy supplier.
For any business owner who likes the sound of saving money on their energy bills but is not sure of when their contract comes to an end, they can check their latest bill which will have the end date of the contract on it and any notice period.
It’s important to appreciate too that a business tells their current supplier that they are planning to switch suppliers at any point before the notice period actually begins.
The aim of this means the business will not have to react within a short timeframe when it comes to finding a new supplier. Previously, this short window of opportunity varied between suppliers and could range between 60 days and 120 days.
This often created confusion within the marketplace and would lead to a business being automatically placed onto a rolling contract which was usually more expensive than the one they were on. The contract would normally be for a minimum term of 12 months as well.
Making the switch between energy suppliers
It should also be appreciated that firms making the switch between energy suppliers could lock themselves into fixed energy rates and be reassured that their price per unit will not increase for the duration of the contract.
Also, a new energy supplier offering a new contract may also be meeting the needs of the business more effectively than a current supplier is doing.
This means it is worthwhile shopping around when a contract is due to end even if the business is happy with their current energy supplier since this will reassure them that they are on a contract they are happy with.
For a business looking to switch supplier, they will need: recent energy bills
the contract end date
their company details
their MPRN and MPAN numbers (which are found on the meter or the bill)
Save money by switching energy suppliers
Businesses also need to appreciate that not only can they save money by switching energy suppliers, but the commercial energy market operates differently to the domestic market.
By shopping around, business will be able to find an energy package that will be tailored to their specific needs.
And while this process may appear to be time-consuming, it is easy to carry out some research online but it’s even easier to use D-ENERGi who specializes in finding excellent energy deals for businesses looking to switch suppliers.
Indeed, for the price of a phone call, a small business owner can substantially reduce their overheads and boost profitability and be reassured that the switchover process will not see them losing energy supply.
For most firms, the quickest and most efficient way to switch energy suppliers is to contact the helpful and experienced team at D-ENERGi who will be able to look at the whole business energy supply market and find a deal to impress.
Read Article