For all firms and organisations looking to switch energy suppliers then there are a number of issues they need to appreciate; the first is that they cannot break a contract mid-term and the second point is that the process is seamless.
Before a current contract comes to an end, your current supplier should contact you with details of a new deal which you will need to reject or accept. Failure to do either means you could be moved to a more expensive deemed contract.
So, the best way of avoiding this situation is to know when your current contract comes to an end and then spend a little time sourcing your next business energy deal by comparing various quotes from suppliers and then arranging for a bespoke offer.
Should you find a deal you like from a new supplier, then tell your current supplier and the switchover process will take effect immediately when the current contract comes to an end.
Process to finding a new energy supplier
Essentially, the process to finding a new energy supplier can be broken down as follows:
• Switchover window: compare the price from your current supplier with potential new suppliers
• Tell your current supplier you are leaving
• That’s it.
However, if you’re looking to switch suppliers after your contract has come to an end and you’ve been moved over onto a deemed or rollover contract, then you will still need to give a month’s notice to switch suppliers.
Those firms who do not like their current energy supply contract, whether it is more expensive than they like or they simply do not get on with their supplier, then getting out of the contract could be a problem.
That’s because the contract’s terms and conditions will specify when the contract can be terminated and firms looking to do so early may have to pay a hefty penalty fee.
Finally, before leaving the subject of switching energy suppliers we need to highlight that firms contacting a potential new energy supplier need to be very careful about accepting an offer. This means a verbal agreement over the telephone will be accepted and you may find your new energy supplier will take over regardless of whether you signed the contract or not.
The information you will need for switching suppliers
To make the process of sourcing a new business energy supplier and then switching easier, you will need to have some basic information available.
For example, this will include your company’s address and postcode and when your current energy contract comes to an end. Remember, you cannot switch energy suppliers without paying a penalty before your current contract comes to an end.
You will also need to provide your meter numbers, both for electricity and gas, and these can be found on a previous energy bill as well as on the meters themselves.
It would also help to have your consumption figures in kWh and these are also contained on recent energy bils.
Essentially, that’s all a potential new supplier needs as they have your address but also the meter number confirms the location of the distribution network. The consumption figure is necessary for a bespoke offering to be prepared.
When your current supplier sends a renewal letter
It’s also worth bearing in mind that when your current supplier sends a renewal letter, the prices being quoted are generally higher than you will find on the open market.
As with most business transactions, you should never really accept the first terms being offered and the renewal letter should be seen as an opening to negotiations since your current supplier may be keen to retain you as a customer and offer competitive prices should you ask for them.
This is also the ideal opportunity for those firms looking to boost their green energy credentials to look at other sources of renewable energy supplies including solar and wind. There are firms offering these energy contracts and often at reasonable rates.
Review the market regularly and switch energy suppliers
Another important reason why all firms and organisations should review the market regularly and switch energy suppliers is that the wholesale market trend is for energy prices to push further upwards.
This means those firms who do not switch will be paying far more than they need to while they could make impressive cost savings by switching.
It helps too that with growing competition in the marketplace, means there’s plenty of choice and, as we have mentioned previously, the final decision is not purely down to finding the cheapest business electricity and gas deals but also for the things a potential new supplier may offer.
In addition to improved levels of customer service and an energy consultancy, a new supplier may also offer different payment methods and longer contracts.
This level of offering means it’s also a good idea for firms to do some research before they contact D-Energi, or indeed any of the energy providers, with some appreciation of the perks they would like to receive. Obviously, enjoying lower energy rates is the first choice for firms but the opportunity for other energy services to reduce consumption will also lead to bigger savings and improved profits to enjoy.