With some big changes incoming, we’re taking a closer look at how developments in government, new leadership, policies and legislation can have a direct impact on energy prices and thus your business’ energy bills.   The Factors That Affect Your Business Energy Prices Firstly, let’s consider the key factors that affect your business energy prices and what you pay per month or per year. The global energy market – Fluctuations in the global market can lead to significant shifts in energy costs for businesses, impacting their operating expenses and bottom line. Rising international prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, driving up energy bills Network charges impacting energy bills Energy supplier operating costs and margins influencing prices Energy and climate change policies aimed at: Delivering low-carbon, secure, and affordable energy supplies Helping households and businesses save energy Supporting low-income and vulnerable consumers   Policies Introduced By The Government Renewable Energy Project Approval: The government recently greenlit a massive offshore wind farm project, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 40% over the next decade. This project is expected to power millions of homes with clean energy and significantly boost the renewable energy sector.   Tax Reforms on Energy Companies: A new policy has been implemented to increase taxes on fossil fuel companies while offering tax incentives for renewable energy investments. This move is designed to encourage a shift towards greener energy solutions and discourage reliance on non-renewable energy sources.   Environmental Regulations: Stricter environmental regulations have been introduced, limiting emissions from industrial plants. These regulations are set to improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with pollution, showcasing the government’s commitment to environmental protection and public health.   How These Policies Influence Business Energy Tariffs These government policies have a direct impact on energy prices for businesses. With the introduction of renewable energy projects, there is a growing demand for clean energy sources, resulting in increased tariffs to cover the costs of implementing these projects. Similarly, the tax reforms on energy companies can lead to higher costs being passed onto businesses in order to maintain profit margins. This also applies to environmental regulations which may require businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and processes. Moreover, changes in government leadership and shifts in political ideologies can also affect energy prices. Different administrations may prioritise different aspects of the energy sector, resulting in policy changes that again, can impact business energy tariffs   What You Can Do To Manage Your Gas & Electricity Costs While little can be done to change the external influences on your gas and electricity bills, there are things you can do to manage your business energy costs:   Changing Business Energy Suppliers One of the first things you can do is shop around for the best deal.  Conduct a thorough comparison of business energy suppliers to find the best tariff for your specific needs. Look beyond just the price and consider factors such as customer service, stability, and renewable energy options offered by each supplier. Stability would be key, especially in times of economic or political uncertainty. A well-established energy provider may be a more reliable provider when times are uncertain.   Additional Cost-Saving Strategies As well as switching business energy suppliers and shopping for the best deal, there are many other cost-saving strategies a business can undertake. from making energy efficiency upgrades to business premises to simply conducting an energy audit, these measures and steps can make a big difference to your business energy bills. Helping to cut your costs and to future-proof your business for the future of clean energy. Conduct an energy audit of your business Energy-efficiency upgrades Investment into renewable energy Use a smart meter for businesses to track your energy consumption in real-time If you would like more information about renewable energy such as 100% UK wind power or would be interested in receiving a free quote form D-ENERGi for your business energy, do not hesitate to get in touch.

As summer has rolled around and days are slowly but surely warming up, your business premises will be too. With this comes a greater demand for air conditioning. Especially in work places where lots of people are working together in a small space. Offices tend to be the biggest culprits when it comes to A/C use, with unlimited access to the controls, individuals will play around with the settings to ensure the temperature is just right for them. However, with consistent use of an air conditioner and HVAC system comes a rise in energy consumption and as a result your business energy bills. In this article we explain how your business’ HVAC system can be optimised to ensure summer energy efficiency and cost savings.   The Importance Of HVAC Servicing & Maintenance One of the most practical things you can do to optimise your HVAC system is to carry out regular servicing and maintenance work. Having qualified engineers review the functioning of your system to complete necessary maintenance work to ensure a quality system will help to reduce expensive breakdowns and your energy consumption. A good system will not require much power in order to run each day, but when your HVAC begins to age or fail, more energy is required to power the system. We suggest having your system serviced at least once per year to check its performance and to ensure any errors in the system are corrected.   Maintain A Regular Temperature In Your Workplace A good way to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently and isn’t consuming excessive power, is to maintain a regular temperature. While it may be tempting to adjust the settings throughout the day, switching between a blast of cold air after a long walk to the office, to turning up the heat when the office becomes cool again in the evening, this is not the most energy efficient way to operate. Consuming large amounts of energy in order to switch between settings will cause an increase in your business energy bills. It is far more practical, cost-effective and environmentally friendly to stick to a regular, comfortable working temperature throughout the day.   Check For Visible Signs Of Wear & Tear It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your HVAC system, particularly throughout the summer season when the air conditioning will be used more frequently. Be sure to check for any visible signs of damage or broken parts. This could include: Gaps in seals Error lights or messages on your system settings Loose parts Poor airflow As well as these signs, many people will notice sounds first. From banging to clanging, squeaking and squealing, a HVAC system that is making a lot of loud noises is likely not in good condition and needs immediate attention from a qualified technician or to be replaced.   Review The Age Of Your System While an older HVAC system can continue to function well, the system should be replaced every 10-20 years to ensure qualified performance. If your HVAC system is becoming dated, it may be time to replace it entirely. However, if you do not have the budget to do this, you could also contact a HVAC technician who may be able to provide replacement parts and offer a service that will optimise your system for a few more years.   To Conclude… While we hope that the sun makes an appearance at some point this year, it is important to consider the use of your HVAC system on hot days. Managing and reducing your energy consumption as much as possible in order to keep your business energy bills low. High business energy bills during the summer months are almost always attributed to the overconsumption of energy from an HVAC system. So, with these tips and tricks, you can manage your energy usage and optimise your system to ensure this summer you are not overspending on energy. For more energy saving tips, check out our blog, and for a free quote, simply get in touch with our team.

When switching from one business energy supplier to another, this process shouldn’t be taken lightly, in fact businesses and business owners should read carefully so as not to be caught out. In this blog we uncover 5 simple things you should be considering before you switch business energy supplier, providing advice on what you should look out for, to ensure you get the best deal for your business.   Compare prices with a variety of energy suppliers One of the first things you should do when considering switching energy suppliers is to compare a range of different suppliers. Specifically business energy suppliers. Those that specialise in supplying gas and electricity to businesses are often the best suited for businesses of all different sizes and with various needs. By comparing competitors you will gain a better understanding of the market. Discovering the average prices across the current market but also identifying differences between each supplier. Some may offer better prices while others may be more expensive but have much higher rated customer satisfaction. It’s important to understand what it is you are looking for so you find the perfect supplier for your business and your requirements. Price comparison sites are often some of the most effective ways to compare, however it is important to bear in mind that some energy suppliers are not included on such sites. Sometimes your own individual research is best.   Check for exit fees with your current energy supplier Before you make a decision about leaving your current energy supplier, be sure to read the small print. Often customers may wish to leave but your contract will put roadblocks in place to stop you from doing this so easily. Speak with your current energy supplier to determine what exit fees may apply and when the best time to change the contract would be. Typically this is within the weeks leading up to your current contract reaching completion. Most businesses and energy customers will start to shop around just before their contract expires, letting their energy suppliers know in advance that they will not be renewing their contract. This is the best way to avoid paying any unexpected fees.   Consider the length of deal you have found If you have found a contract that ticks your boxes, there’s one thing to pay close attention to. This is the length of the contract. Sometimes energy suppliers will make this information less obvious to catch out new customers. The typical energy contract is between 12-24 months, anything longer than that should be reconsidered or given a closer inspection.   Read reviews of your chosen energy supplier Often something that is overlooked but is so important, is customer reviews and satisfaction ratings. Understanding the services your potential new energy supplier offers will give you a good idea of what you can expect once you sign a contract with them. Hearing what others have to say about them on Trustpilot, especially businesses in a similar industry to your own, will help you in making your decision. Afterall, customer service makes up a huge part of the company’s role, making sure all energy customers are receiving the services they need.   Look beyond your quote If you’ve requested a quote from an energy supplier and you’re happy with the price, you should be cautious in your next steps. While this final price may sound great, there could be some hidden costs or a chance that this price will change. Be sure to get details about your quote, what it means, what it covers, and other terms and conditions that may apply. While reading the small print isn’t the most enjoyable part of signing a contract, it will certainly save you in the long run.   At D-ENERGi we can provide you with a free quote, providing some of the most competitive and unbeatable prices for business energy customers. We are also providing excellent customer services with 5-star rated on Trustpilot. If you’re looking for a change, get a quick quote from us and see how much you could save on your business energy bills.

Business energy bills are a guaranteed cost for a business of any kind. Even the smallest sole trader businesses will have to pay the expense of lighting, electricity supply for technology and other things such as heating and air conditioning. Since this is a cost that every business has to contend with, there are many different solutions for businesses who want to reduce their costs to improve business cash flow. In this latest blog we review the many business upgrades that you can carry out to your business premises, be it an office, work site, or somewhere else, to help reduce your electricity usage and cut down spending on your electricity bills.   Upgrades you can make to your business premises   In order to ensure that your business is as energy efficient as possible and your energy bills are kept as low as possible, you can make the following upgrades and adjustments to your building: Invest in new insulation – if you’re not aware of how long your business has had insulation, be it in the roof or the walls, it may be time to upgrade. Signs of old insulation include: Draughty rooms Higher energy bills than usual Inconsistencies in room temperature Trouble with condensation and mould   These signs are a sure sign that your insulation solutions have aged and it is time to upgrade. With a range of insulation materials and options you can choose to insulate your business premises according to your budget. Certain materials such as fibre glass are some of the cheapest to purchase and install. However, it is important to always consult an expert to ensure your insulation is fitted correctly and safely. What’s more, according to the Carbon Trust, an uninsulated office building will lose 60% of heat waste through the structure of the building.   Either through the walls, loft, windows, or floors. Investing in quality insulation will save your business from losing hundreds of pounds worth of heating, whilst also creating a much more comfortable and sustainable environment for your employees and teams.   Upgrade lighting systems – With around 20% of energy costs coming from the use of lighting, both in business and domestic scenarios, it becomes important to know how much your energy bills are impacted by your lighting choice.   As one of the most energy efficient lighting options, LED light bulbs are highly recommended to businesses looking to cut costs. While the initial cost to fit these lightbulbs throughout a business premise, particularly an office, will require a larger budget than usual for bulbs, the long term cost savings make this worthwhile. LED lighting offers a longer lasting, brighter and safer solution for business use whilst also being the most eco-friendly option of them all!   Install solar panels – have you ever wondered how renewable energy could benefit your business? Solar panels are an accessible option for businesses looking to invest into renewable energy sources and reduce their carbon footprint. Solar panels can be installed to a range of buildings and will help cut the costs of your electricity bill by sourcing energy from the sun rather than traditional means. It is however, important to invest in a quality solar panel system that will be capable of providing the very best results.   Install first time central heating system – in older buildings, particularly older office buildings, central heating may never have been installed. Central heating is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to heat a home without having to rely on the use of single electric room heaters or other alternative energy sources. While central heating is a costly investment it will certainly provide many benefits and not just to the cost of your electricity but it will also help to improve the comfort of your working environment. Making the heating of rooms much more manageable.   Get help and support for your business   While current energy rates are not as high as they were in the midst of the energy crisis, there are still many businesses in the UK struggling to make ends meet. In order to protect these businesses and keep them afloat, there are a number of support avenues that are still available to utilise. From financial support from the government to charities and your own energy supplier. Finding the help you need can make a huge difference, and take some weight off your shoulders as you continue to run and grow your business. The UK government currently has a business support service which is available to contact for free advice in England. They can be contacted in a number of ways:   enquiries@businesssupportservice.co.uk Telephone: 0800 998 1098 Webchat   There is also a wide range of financial support available across the nation, with different services provided in different regions and counties. Click here to find a suitable funding scheme for your business. A great example of this is the SME Energy Efficiency Scheme (SMEES) for small businesses located in Tees Valley to improve their energy efficiency. Support from your energy supplier. If you are struggling to cover the cost of your business energy bills, it is important that you let your supplier know. At D-ENERGi we support a wide range of businesses with their business energy supply and are on hand to provide you with help and guidance to ensure you do not get stuck or caught out by an unexpected bill. Simply get in touch with our friendly team for more information or get a quick quote by filling out a short online form.