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The Energy Bill Relief Scheme, or EBRS, was announced by the UK Government on the 21st September 2022. It is equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee, EPG, but applies to businesses in addition to voluntary and public sector organisations. Who is eligible for the EBRS Scheme? In the government’s announcement, they detailed that this scheme would be available on a non-domestic basis only. This means those who are eligible to the EBRS scheme include: businesses voluntary sector organisations, such as charities public sector organisations such as schools, hospitals, and care homes This means a wide majority of D-ENERGi business energy customers will be eligible for the scheme. However, it is important to note that although you may be a business energy customer, there are other requirements that the government explained were necessary for customers to receive support from the scheme. Businesses or organisations must be: on existing fixed price contracts that were agreed on or after 1 December 2021 signing new fixed price contracts on deemed / out of contract or variable tariffs on flexible purchase or similar contracts For those customers who signed your fixed rate contract before 1 December 2021, you would not have been exposed to the recent rises in wholesale prices, so you will not be eligible for support under the scheme. How does the scheme work? The scheme works by the government compensating suppliers for the reduction in wholesale gas and electricity unit prices that they are passing onto non-domestic customers. This means business energy suppliers can reduce the bills of their eligible customers. For those who are eligible the scheme will be applied automatically by your supplier. This means you will notice a reduction in your energy bills. This discount will be calculated in pence per kilowatt hour. The discount applied will be in pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh). The p/kWh government support for comparable contracts will be the same across suppliers, but the absolute level of individual bills will continue to vary across different contracts and tariffs. Information for D-ENERGi business customers  For customers who qualify for the Energy Bill Relief Scheme we kindly ask all qualifying customers to provide us with monthly gas and / or electricity meter readings until the end of the scheme. This should be done ideally on the first day of the month or no later than the 10th.This will be a great help to get your bills as accurate as possible and ensure we apply the right discount throughout the scheme period.For more information or to discuss your bills with a member of the team, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Agreements and goals have been put in place by governments across the globe to achieve net zero emissions. The UK government was one of the first in the world to sign a legally binding agreement to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and many other countries then followed suit. As campaigners and governments have explained, achieving these goals is not simply the responsibility of one group. Every individual, organisation, business, and government party should make this a top priority and take active steps to dramatically reduce emissions each year. Therefore, not only does net zero carbon emissions matter to the eco-conscious amongst us and the governments in power, it matters to all, especially businesses. Emissions from small businesses in the UK  Small businesses in the UK produce up to 50% of our country’s business-driven carbon emissions. Meaning they are a major contributor of the emissions this country creates each year. With this in mind, the government has introduced schemes and provided advice for small business owners to encourage them to introduce a decarbonisation strategy and take active steps in reducing emissions. One such scheme is The Together for our Planet campaign, introduced by Boris Johnson in May 2021. The campaign works to encourage small businesses in the UK to make a pledge to cut their carbon emissions by 2050 or even sooner. The campaign will then continue to support these businesses in achieving their own goals by providing resources, advice, guidance and new opportunities. The UK Business Climate Hub has been created as a resource for businesses, with upwards of 3700 businesses already having made the pledge. Actions businesses can take to reduce emissions There are several small steps a business can take to reduce emissions. Below are just a few smart ideas: Encourage employees to take part, creating an eco-conscious workplace Recycle Switch to LED lighting Improve the energy efficiency of the business premises Install a business smart meter – which we can provide at D-ENERGi Minimise waste from your products Cut down the use of fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy sources   Why make the pledge? As a small business owner, you may be wondering – what’s the point? Well, the most important point is helping the UK on its path to achieving its net zero goal. However, there are also many other benefits that your business can gain from making the pledge to reduce emissions. As the Business Climate Hub points out, cutting your business’ emissions can actually help you grow your business. In a world that is increasingly eco-conscious and consumers are more aware of the impact their buying decisions have, choosing to make the pledge will give you a competitive advantage, while also helping to cut your costs. By making this decision now, rather than later, you will also be prepping your business for the future. As the UK government makes plans to move away from fossil fuels, stopping the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, having made the pledge you will be prepared for a green future.

Is zero carbon electricity the future? And what will this look like? With the current energy crisis causing issues for households and businesses up and down the country, many are looking at alternative sources of energy as a solution to this global problem.  With international governments looking to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the next few decades, zero carbon electricity is a genuine option available to utilise.  Green sources of electricity  By focusing on green sources of electricity, such as solar and wind power, we can reduce carbon emissions while also helping to protect our environment. This is why many companies are now investing in zero carbon electricity solutions. Zero carbon electricity can be generated through a combination of renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass,  geothermal energy, and hydroelectric power. This will help to reduce our reliance on non-renewable sources of electricity such as coal and oil. Zero carbon electricity can also be generated through innovative methods such as electric vehicles charging stations, which can store excess electricity produced during the day in a battery system, ready for use when needed. How can businesses introduce carbon free electricity ? Businesses can look to introduce zero carbon energy solutions into their operations. This could involve installing solar panels or wind turbines, or investing in renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal energy and hydroelectric power.  Additionally, businesses should take a proactive approach to reducing their total electricity consumption by implementing measures such as using more efficient lighting , improving insulation and adopting other energy-saving practices. By taking the right steps, businesses can help reduce their carbon emissions while also creating new jobs and boosting their bottom line. Zero carbon electricity is a viable solution that should be considered by any business looking to become more sustainable.  D-ENERGi Trading  At D-ENERGi we offer a unique and innovative way for businesses to purchase zero carbon electricity. All electricity supplied from D-ENERGi Trading is sourced from UK wind farms. This makes our offering a unique one within the sector. Our graph, which you can see here, shows our offering compared with other major UK energy suppliers in the UK. This enables businesses to reduce their impact on the environment and save money in the long run.  To find out more about renewable energy and zero carbon options speak with our friendly team of experts today.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on energy to power businesses. If you run or manage a restaurant, bar, hotel or other popular entertainment venue, you will know just how important it is to keep energy bills low while continuing to offer regular service.  During the festive season there is greater demand for such services with Christmas parties and meals and end of year gatherings planned between families and friends. With greater demand comes an increased need for energy. During this time of economic crisis, what can hospitality businesses do to keep bills low while demand is high.  Cut energy waste in your establishment  Despite the need for energy, the hospitality sector is guilty of wasting large amounts of electricity, water, and gas each year. One way to reduce energy bills and manage consumption during the busy festive season is to cut this waste as much as possible. There are several ways you can do this:  6 Ways to reduce energy waste  Introduce lighting controls to reduce wasted electricity and switch your light bulbs to energy efficient LED bulbs. You may also wish to consider upgrading your lighting systems to be sensor activated, so they are only switched on when people are in the room and turn off once someone leaves.  In your industrial kitchens and behind your bars, opt to switch off electrical appliances that do not need to be switched on for an entire shift. For example, wait to turn on extractor fans and bar lights once customers have started ordering.  Cut down the usage of your heating systems. Often the heating and cooling systems are wasted on busy venues. Particularly in the winter when, although it’s cold outside, the heat from the hustle and bustle of your many customers does not require the additional support of a high setting on your thermostat.  Encourage your bar staff, kitchen teams, and members of the front of house team to adopt a positive attitude towards saving energy.  Ensure ventilation systems are cleaned regularly and serviced. You will not be getting the most out of your air conditioning systems if the ventilation is not cleaned or is not able to operate to 100% of its ability.  Set limits on hot water temperatures. When water is excessively heated, not only can this be costly, but dangerous too. Water does not need to be excessively hot for its intended purposes within hospitality.  While the appetite to dine out over the festive season remains high amongst consumers, some of these helpful tips may just contribute to keeping your energy bills at a regular rate.  Smart meters for hospitality businesses  To monitor and keep track of your energy during this festive season and beyond is to consider installing a smart meter for business.  Business smart meters allow you to receive accurate meter readings while displaying your real-time usage. For those working in the hospitality sector, looking for a way to take control of your company’s energy consumption, this is the ideal solution. Get in touch with the D-ENERGi team today for more information.

As the colder temperatures set in and talks of snow begin to flutter around offices and homes, winter has certainly arrived in the UK. Unfortunately the usual excitement of Christmas, New Year, and winter markets has been clouded by the current cost of living crisis and the rise in energy costs. As both households and businesses face rising bills, now is a particularly difficult time and one that requires people to take a more cautious approach to spending.  If you are a small business owner, we are sure you will certainly be feeling the pinch. And with the energy crisis set to continue into 2023, budgeting is now more essential than ever. In this latest blog, we will be offering our support to small businesses who are looking to budget for the rising costs of electricity and gas.  Creating a budget for your small business Budgeting is a vital part or running any business, and when you run a small business you’ll know that every penny counts. A budget should incorporate details about all the costs your business will incur over the next period. When creating a budget you need realistic figures, so taking into account what you have spent previously will be most beneficial.  To know how to budget with your rising energy bills in mind, it would be useful to use the past few energy bills you have received. You may also want to contact your energy supplier to discuss your direct debit payments and agree an amount that works for your business. This way you can plan for the next few months. Your budget can then be altered to review ‘what if’ scenarios, such as your energy bills increasing.  Tips for creating a budget: Consider all your costs both fixed and variable Take a look at your previous sales and use this to produce a sales forecast  Factor in any one off costs such as a large payment for a replacement item or maintenance repairs to your premises that you are aware of  Plan regular budget reviews  Put aside an emergency budget for when needed With the right approach to creating a budget for your business it is possible to budget in for the rising energy costs, however there is support available for small businesses and solutions for saving energy to reduce these bills.  How to save on energy costs during winter?  There are several steps you can take, as a small business owner, to reduce your energy consumption and thus save money on your energy bills this winter. We have touched on several of these tips in previous blogs, which you can read here. Alternatively, for additional support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our customer service team, who can support you during this time.  Support available to SMEs  Currently, there are a number of schemes and grants available via both the government and the energy suppliers for small businesses. These schemes have been designed for those businesses who can not afford to cover the rising costs of their energy bills. regulator , Ofgem, has further information about the various types of support available on their website. Guidance on the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme, provided by the government can be found here, and on our blog. 

Within the energy sector there are plenty of terms to get to grips with. As a business looking to save money on your energy bills, understanding what all these terms mean will help. One such term that you will almost certainly have come across will be EPC rating. In this latest article, we will be delving into exactly what EPC means and how this relates to businesses.  What is EPC?  An EPC or energy perform certificate is used to rate how energy efficient a building is. This is used for both domestic and commercial buildings. The ratings, as shown on the graph, are between A to G. A building with a rating of ‘A’ is considered the most efficient, and ‘G’ being the least efficient. An accredited assessor will provide an EPC certificate which is then valid for 10 years.  An EPC for a commercial building must be obtained whenever a property is built, sold or let. This is the responsibility of the building landlord or owner. So, if you are renting a commercial building, you will need to be shown the EPC certificate during the tenancy agreement process.  How an EPC is determined As mentioned above, an accredited assessor will visit a property to determine the EPC rating. They will do this by taking into account a number of factors:  The age and size of the property  The main heating systems Lighting – whether any energy saving light bulbs or low energy light bulbs are in use Windows – if you have double glazing or higher After reviewing these areas of the property, the assessor will make some calculations and provide an EPC rating using the scale mentioned above. Along with this, property owners or landlords will be provided with guidance on how to improve their property EPC if this is particularly poor.  There are some buildings that do not require an EPC according to the UK government, these include: Places of worship Temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years Stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of less than 50 square metres Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that do not use a lot of energy Some buildings that are due to be demolished Holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than 4 months a year or is let under a licence to occupy Listed buildings – you should get advice from your local authority conservation officer if the work would alter the building’s character Residential buildings intended to be used less than 4 months a year Goals for a net zero future  With the government’s goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the rules regarding EPC ratings are changing. Over the course of the next 10 years, these rules will become stricter for all. This is to encourage as many building owners and landlords as possible to make positive changes to the energy efficiency of their properties.  At the start of 2023, plans have been put in place for all commercial properties that are under tenancy to an EPC rating of E or better. As it stands this will require some landlords to make improvements now to meet the upcoming requirements.  How to Improve a Commercial EPC Rating Landlords and commercial property owners can improve the EPC rating of a business premises by completing several tasks. Some of the most common and effective ways to do this are: To improve the insulation of the building  Change the lighting to LED lights  Ensure double glazing is installed in all windows Draught proof the property  Switch to renewable energy sources such as solar panels  For more about EPC ratings and how to save on your business energy, why not get in touch with a member of the D-ENERGi team. We’re here to help!