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  This week Ofgem, the governing body for the UK energy markets, announced proposals for greater proection for small businesses against high energy costs. These proposals will “[…]widen the number of small businesses that benefit from its existing safeguards to ensure contract terms are clear”. The extension of these rules would help provide cover to a further 150,000 businesses that “typically spend up to £10,000 a year on each fuel”. In addition to the expansion of what is classed as a ‘microbusiness’ Ofgem has also proposed “[…]that all bills and statements that small businesses are sent also show clearly when the contract ends[…]”. It is common practice in the energy industry for accounts to be ‘refreshed’ if they do not hand in termination notice during the correct window before their contract ends. If a customer is ‘refreshed’ then they will be signed in to a new contract for a year on significantly higher rates. For business customers this is an entirely legal practice but by increasing the awareness of smaller businesses to this fact, such as making their contract end date clear on their bills and statements, Ofgem are hoping to reduce the likelihood of this occurring. As a final push Ofgem is “also planning to clean up the practices of some energy brokers by developing an industry-wide code of practice for them[…]Ofgem is progressing its case for acquiring powers from Government to take enforcement action against broker who mislead business customers”. It is a known problem in the industry that some brokers use high pressure sales tactics as well giving misleading information to maximise the profit they can make. These are significants steps by Ofgem to create a fairer market for smaller businesses who can suffer greatly from addtional running costs.

  D-ENERGi have undertaken a project that will help a Sussex care home increase its energy efficiency to the tune of a £14,162.39 per year saving on its oil bills. The project was fully funded by the Government’s RHI scheme in conjunction with Siemens Finance at no cost to the customer. Home to 54 elderly residents, Rowfant Residential Home in West Sussex relied on a 35 year-old oil burner to provide heating to its 21 bedrooms and various common rooms, via a total of 79 radiators. D-ENERGi undertook an in-depth survey of the home’s existing heating and hot water system to appraise how best consumption and, in turn, fuel bills could be reduced. Findings showed that, due to lack of room-by-room control, many areas were being heated whilst unoccupied and also that temperature throughout the property was controlled by just one thermostat. With no account taken of differing atmospheric conditions in different rooms, particularly the heating effect of sunlight in those facing south, some areas of the property were cold whilst others were prone to overheating. The old boiler plant was found to be running at maximum 70% efficiency and annual oil bills topped £31k, with an estimated 30% going to waste. D-ENERGi proposed a solution to install a 184kw Biomass boiler, fuelled by wood pellets at a cost of 3.9p per kWh, which would not only boost efficiency but allow the project to be fully funded by the Carbon Trust and take advantage of the Government’s renewable heat incentive (RHI). Alongside surveying, specifying and carrying out the installation of the new system D-ENERGi also helped secure funding. The installation was certified and it was arranged for RHI rebates to be paid directly to the care home. A Carbon Trust loan was arranged to fund the installation with repayments being met from the RHI subsidy.   Emma Blainey, Renewable specialist of D-ENERGi explained: “It’s vital that temperature is maintained at a comfortable level, particularly in environments where the inhabitants are elderly, so the variations in temperature throughout the care home had practical as well as financial implications.” She added: “The new Biomass boiler is set to reduce energy costs by 50%, while the installation of room-by-room controls will save the care home an additional 20% on energy bills, and also provide a greater level of comfort for residents. The combination of the Carbon Trust loan and funding from the Government’s RHI were key to this project and can help businesses not only save on bills but significantly reduce their carbon footprint without having to make a huge capital investment.”

Though power cuts are not a common occurrence they are not unheard of either and so it is important to be aware of what to do in the event of one. The first step should always be to check the trip switch which can be found in your fuse box (if you don’t know where this is it is vitally important to locate it and make yourself familiar with it now in case of an emergency). The trip switch only trips when there is a problem with the wiring of the internal circuit and not the incoming supply. You can test this by following these steps: Make sure the Trip switch is in the ‘On’ position Press the ‘push to test’ button If this doesn’t trip the switch then there is no incoming supply of electricity If the switch does trip then it is either because of a faulty appliance, a light may have gone or there is an issue with the internal wiring.   Once you have confirmed that it is not an internal fault you need to check to see if other buildings in the area have been affected as this will be one of the questions you are asked when you contact your Distribution Network Operator. Finally, once you have established whether it is an issue with your supply or a localised problem you must contact your Distribution Network Operator. The country is broken up into LDZs (Local Distribution Zones) and each one is maintained by a different Distribution Network Operator. To find out which company you need to contact and the relevant telephone number please follow this link. Important things to help you prepare for, and get through, a power cut: Always make sure you have candles or torches in an obvious and easy-to-reach place, and make sure any lit candles are placed in a safe place and are not left unattended Leave at least one light switch turned on so that you know when the power has returned If possible keep everyone in one room and wrap up warm if it’s winter As far as possible unplug electrical appliances Once power has returned make sure that any food in freezers has not thawed   It is always wise to be prepared for these circumstances and to be aware of the location of your fuse box and how it works. These simple steps will help you to deal with a power cut efficiently and hopefully minimise the length of time you are without power.

  D-ENERGi has teamed up Thomas Cook Worldwide to offer its best performing account managers a holiday of a lifetime!! The winners will be announced on Friday 20th December 2013. Zico Ahmed director of D-ENERGi stated “We are a close knit team and this year it was decided with the managing director Shakeel Ahmed that we would like to do something special in 2013 to recognise all the hard work, account managers do for the business day in day out”. By offering such incentives, D-ENERGi wishes to attract the best sales talent, as its sales ethos is built around on ethical professional principles, and building longer term relationships with its customers. Sarah Precious one of the key account managers at D-ENERGi stated “its exciting to know that the company is offering such a lucrative perk to award its hardest working staff, I for one will be working towards Barbados” The trip includes an excursion to swim with the turtles. The account managers will be staying at the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort for seven nights.

  Manchester Evening News will hold  its 20th annual Business of the Year Awards in 2013. The business  awards has prizes based on the company turnover. D-ENERGi is fast growing commercial business to  business electricity and gas supplier, with accounts ending in April 2013,  turnover  is expected to exceed £6.5 million. D-ENERGi will be entering under  the £10 million category.  Businesses which enter must have their  headquarters and management functions in the MEN’s circulation area and have  their latest financial figures available. Each Business will be judged on various  criteria, including competitiveness, management, financial performance,  innovation and customer service. Stuart Harrison PR officer, at D-ENERGi stated “D-ENERGi was incorporated in Manchester and after almost 11 years of trading  from our city centre offices on Portland Street we are keen to be recognised as  a growing energy brand in Manchester and its surrounding areas. The  MEN business  of the year awards gives us this opportunity”. Representatives of the judging  panel will visit each entrant and a shortlist of the finalist will be drawn up  before the final judging day is held in the autumn. Source menmedia.co.uk / Stuart Harrison PR Officer D-ENERGi

  In a recent statement made by Prime Minister David Cameron the Government have made clear their support for the proposed changes prepared by Ofgem concerning the domestic energy market. Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Even in these tough times when we’re having to take the difficult decisions needed to fix our economy, we’re doing everything we can to help hardworking people and families. That’s why I made a personal commitment to help get energy bills down – and I’m delighted that Ofgem are taking that forward. The package announced today is a huge step towards energy bills that are more fair for everyone. This is about putting people before profits. It’s about pensioners being better able to heat their homes in winter, and families better able to cope when the bills arrive. “Our aim is that consumers will get the best possible energy tariff – no tricks, no loopholes – and we will use the powers we gained in the Energy Bill earlier this month to make sure this happens. The Bill will support this package, and make sure that all energy customers are put on their supplier’s lowest variable rate unless they choose otherwise.” The plans by Ofgem aim to introduce the following, amongst other plans, to the domestic consumers: “Four “core” tariffs to cut the baffling array of tariffs currently on the market. That will actually mean four tariffs per fuel type (electricity and gas), which would apply to each payment type.” Consumers on ‘Dead’ tariffs will be moved onto one of the new tariffs unless the customer requests otherwise or their current tariff is providing them with “value for money” “All tariffs have a standing charge and unit rate”   In addition to the above points these plans will also safeguard consumers in fixed contracts from changes to tariffs mid contract as well as preventing them from being “rolled-over” should they fail to hand in a notice of termination for their current contract. Ofgem is also keen to rebuild the trust in energy suppliers by encouraging suppliers to actively help their customers to find the best possible tariff for their usage. This will include personalised consumption estimates to make finding cheaper tariffs easier as well as simplifying any information suppliers provide to customers. Ofgem and the Government are now approaching the final stages of statutory consultation that will hopefully lead to them implementing these ground breaking changes to the domestic energy market. They are optmistic that the consultation period, which ends in March, will conclude positively and enable a smooth execution of the suggested changes that will then come into effect in the summer.