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Business energy suppliers aren’t all created equally, so switching is a fairly common practice over the years to ensure that you get the best deal possible. However, making a business energy switch isn’t always the most straightforward thing, whether you’ve been doing things a certain way for years or are fairly new to your industry.    We’ve put together this blog to answer frequently asked questions about how to switch business energy suppliers, so you can feel more confident making a change when you need to.    Why should I switch my business energy supplier? There are plenty of reasons to change your supplier, such as:   Seeking a better energy rate or cheaper energy tariffs can make a huge financial difference to your business – essential during the energy crisis!  Better customer service from an energy supplier can make your life a lot easier when running a business, especially when scaling up demand or navigating energy tariffs. You might find different contract terms, especially between small business energy suppliers and larger business operations. Elements like fixed terms or flexibility will make a difference to your overall experience.  Some suppliers will offer renewable energy options, such as wind power, which are better suited for achieving your sustainability goals.    How often can I switch to a different business energy supplier? You can technically change your business energy supplier at any time, however, contracts will influence how easy or seamless that transition might be. For example, an early switch might subject you to early termination fees, which will differ based on your remaining duration and the terms of your contract. If you’re currently out of contract, you might be paying an extortionate amount known as a “deemed” or “standard variable” tariff, but you should be able to switch at any moment.    How long does the switching process usually take? A switch will generally take anywhere between two and six weeks, allowing for new and old suppliers to make any necessary checks or arrangements, such as:    The new energy supplier notifying the current supplier to begin the transfer process The current supplier making any objections around things like outstanding debts Your final meter reading and subsequent bill (more accurate with a smart meter)   It’s also worth noting that your business should not experience any interruptions to energy supply during the switch.   How to compare business energy suppliers?  The way to find the best or cheapest business energy supplier lies in your comparison skills. Some common techniques include:    Using online comparison sites Contacting dedicated energy brokers or consultants Contacting energy suppliers directly to better understand their approaches Checking for industry-specific tariffs   Make sure to consider elements like unit rates, standing charges, contract length & terms, any early termination conditions, customer service reputation and any other attractive/unattractive features offered by each supplier.    What information will I need to switch business energy suppliers?  To ensure accuracy and smoothness, you need to prepare some basic information.    Business name and address Current supplier(s) and contract details Average annual energy consumption in kWH for both electricity and gas Meter Point Administration Number Your bank details Contact details for the authoritative figure   With this information, you should be much better equipped to take on a business energy switch. However, there’s no such thing as being too informed. If you’re interested in learning more about this unique industry landscape, visit our blog today!   If you are ready to make a business energy switch, get your free energy quote today. We’ve streamlined our switching process to help you save time and money. 

Energy and education go hand in hand. One of the largest expenses in running schools and nurseries is energy. This makes an effective energy conservation plan essential for all learning environments.    Between kitchens, digital learning resources and general operations (keeping the lights on), there are a lot of drains on the energy supply of a school (even when compared with other commercial industries). This blog will offer some energy saving ideas for schools, so you can help your establishment balance the budget and keep education alive!   Optimise lighting Lighting, like anywhere else, is one of the most significant energy-related costs of running a school. Here are effective strategies for reducing lighting expenses:    Layout classrooms to take advantage of natural light Keep windows and skylights clean Switch off lights when rooms are empty or the sun is bright (encourage students to monitor this)  Install occupancy sensors or timers to automatically turn off when areas are unoccupied  Upgrade to more energy efficient lighting installations (LEDs)   These tips can all help to reduce the burden of lighting on the overall lighting bill.    Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) tips Schools, while not subject to their own specific temperature laws, do have to operate to the same standard as other workplaces, maintaining temperatures of at least 16°C” (60°F) and recommended to be 18ºC (64.4ºF). Children need to be comfortable to learn properly, however, this can be a significant cost. Tips for minimising HVAC bills can include:    Maintaining temperatures as close to reasonable as possible, not higher or lower unnecessarily Install thermostats and enforce the maintenance of set figures Ventilate classrooms properly Maintain the quality of HVAC systems with clean and replaced filters Seal any air leaks or draughts promptly Invest in proper insulation   These solutions might all cost some money initially, but they’ll conserve energy for education in the long term.    Appliances and equipment optimisation There are countless appliances and items of equipment in the average educational institution. Energy conservation can seem impossible when you have to maintain a full working kitchen, staffroom refrigerators, electric interactive whiteboards, dishwashers, washing machines. However, some mindful choices can make a difference, like:     Buying energy-efficient appliances and monitoring performance consistently Turn off computers and other equipment when not in use Unplug any chargers and power cables when they’re not in use Lower the water temperature of boilers and other water-heating devices   Being conscious of your equipment is a pillar in energy saving tools.    General energy conservation strategies for schools Along with these more specific concepts, there are some very general concepts that every school manager should consider.  Finding the cheapest business gas supplier: Research and switch to cost-effective energy providers. Get a free, no-obligation energy quote from our experts.  Conduct energy audits: Schedule regular energy audit for schools to identify further savings opportunities.  Educate students and staff on sustainability: This will all help contribute to long-term energy savings at your school.  Visit our blog today for more insights into the energy landscape of the 21st century!

Running a larger business means spinning a lot of plates, many of which require energy expenditure. As your facilities grow and you hire more staff, you’re going to have to keep more lights on, operate more desktops, run larger HVAC systems and so much more. Large business energy consumption is always going to be harder to reduce energy costs.    Small businesses can also struggle with this, but keeping things moving in large businesses’ operations naturally takes more effort and consideration. This blog will offer advice on business energy conservation, even if you’re running a more substantial operation.    Conduct energy audits and data analysis If you’re operating in the realm of high-energy consumption businesses like manufacturing , the public administration or printing, among others, tools enacting detailed energy audits is always a smart move. This will break down the energy inefficiency across a business’s operations. Similarly, other tools like Energy Monitoring Systems (EMS) can provide consumption data at a granular level.    Analysing usage data and comparing it to KPIs is essential for larger businesses, as things can easily get lost in translation without careful analysis. Bringing in smart meters, IoT equipment and using an energy consumption calculator is a great way to set up better data collection.    Effective strategies to reduce energy consumption Businesses of any size should consider optimising their physical workplace to reduce energy consumption, whether working across sites or in one place. Some of the typical building upgrades that can make a difference to your consumption levels include:    Smart HVAC controls: Regular system maintenance, along with locational zoning to ensure proper heating and cooling situationally Proper ventilation wherever possible LED lighting: Upgrading lighting to LED systems, installing occupancy sensor and adding daylight harvesting systems Improving the building envelope: Improve insulation, sealed air leaks and more energy-efficient windows and doors Installing reflective cool roofing: This reduces solar heat absorption   Insulation and lighting are the most controllable and impactful things about your building in terms of energy expenditure. Some of these things might require a significant initial investment, but they’ll all save you money in the long run.    Create an energy-efficient culture of accountability   To effectively manage large business energy consumption, create a clear, standardised culture of accountability and energy management. This means creating dedicated positions for energy mindfulness in every department of the business and properly educating employees about consumption at all levels of the operation.    Make sure that the company is clued up about:    Energy-efficient equipment purchasing Regular appliance and equipment maintenance Turning off and unplugging idle equipment Analysing production lines and optimising manufacturing (when relevant) Any overarching sustainability initiatives   Make responsible consumption part of your company culture to keep all the moving parts accountable.    Embracing renewable energy   Switching your business electricity providers to embrace renewable energy can be a great way to reduce energy consumption in large businesses. Lowering consumption could be as simple as finding a provider that offers alternative fuel sources, as they are, by nature, better for the environment and generally less tough on the wallet.    Conclusion Reducing energy consumption in large businesses is a multifaceted approach that involves energy audits, energy-efficient upgrades, cultural change and renewable energy adoption. For more insights into energy efficiency and sustainability, visit our blog today.  If you’re ready to find the right energy supplier to help reduce your energy bills, get a free, no-obligation quote, visit our get a quote page.

There are around 17,000 care homes in the UK and they all need a reliable supply of energy. However, care home energy concerns can get in the way of proper care provision, especially with public spending declining regularly. The challenges facing care homes span far and wide, especially in the case of non-profit and NHS-run organisations.  In this piece, we’re going to focus on the concerns surrounding energy when running a care home, expanding on why they’re so relevant and offering some insight into how they might be solved.    Fixed budgets Having a limited budget is a widespread concern, especially in council-run care homes. Countless different elements contribute to care home energy costs, making it hard for smaller operations to keep up with bills. Alongside energy bills, care homes also have to pay for:    Staffing different departments Food for residents and staff Building mortgages/rent Any entertainment elements (TV packages/streaming services) Rare & regular care home maintenance jobs   Keeping up with all of these costs, alongside energy bills, can be challenging with a smaller budget. Having to prioritise certain elements over others is a painful process that will ultimately have a negative impact on the residents.    Comfort & climate The elderly residents of care homes are far more vulnerable to low temperatures, which can drive up energy bills considerably. Running a care home requires warmth, and with heating bills impacting everyone in the country, the crisis is particularly impactful on these operations.    Maintaining quality of care As touched upon above, running a care home involves a lot of moving parts, which is why energy bills amid the crisis can make it a lot harder to maintain a certain standard of care. Being under financial instability makes it harder for care homes to operate in general, which in turn can discourage people from choosing specific homes, contributing to a cycle of financial strife.    Tips for combatting rising care home energy costs With energy costs so high, it’s important to understand how to become more efficient when running a care home. This will make it easier to manage the bills and ensure high level of care quality.    Invest in better insulation for the property – it will cost money in the short term but save on the amount of heating required in the long run  Use smart technology such as smart LED lightbulbs, thermostatic radiator valves and smart thermostats to minimise unnecessary consumption Generally installing more energy efficient appliances and technologies, such as kettles (sure to see a lot of action in a care home!) Switch to a greener energy source such as solar or wind power – these renewable sources are generally cheaper and more efficient    If you’re facing challenges with a care home energy budget, it could be time to switch tariffs to a different provider. By choosing a business energy provider like D-ENERGi, you could find a more sustainable, more competitive priced alternative to your current provision. Check out our site for more information and keep caring!  Talk to our experts today for competitive business energy quotes today!

As a small business, keeping your head above water in terms of finances can be quite a task, especially in the early stages of development. With half of all new businesses ending within the first three years, smaller enterprises must do whatever they can to reduce overheads within reason. Simultaneously, sustainability is more important to UK consumers than ever before. With both these facts in mind, small business energy efficiency is something that all operators should be mindful of. This guide will offer some valuable insights into how to be energy efficient as a small business, whether transforming an office or warehouse space. Benefits of energy efficiency for small business operations If you’re on the fence about whether to implement a small business energy efficiency program, it’s important to consider the benefits it could have on your operation. Cost savings: Being energy efficient is directly related to saving costs on gas and electric bills. Increased sustainability: Beyond doing good for the planet, increasing sustainability is also a great way to enhance brand reputation. Eligibility for grants: There are several energy efficiency grants for small businesses, allowing for refurbished technology at discounted rates.   How to achieve small business energy efficiency Conducting energy audits/mindful observation Having a professional audit done is a great way to identify your strengths and weaknesses in terms of energy efficiency, such as: Draughts/air leaks Insulation issues Outdated lighting Faulty HVAC systems In terms of increased mindfulness, tools like Smart Meters are a great way to better observe your energy consumption, allowing you to make strategic decisions in real-time. Lighting adjustments The most obvious lighting adjustment is to replace incandescent bulbs with LED lighting, known to use up to 75% less energy. Another system for increasing efficiency is time/movement-sensitive lighting sensors, ensuring only occupied rooms are being lit during working hours. Finally, simply embracing natural light when and wherever possible can enhance efficiency. Using renewable energy Renewable energy is known for having a better return on investment (ROI) than energy derived from fossil fuels, while also often having a much lower emissions profile. For example, wind energy can be 100% renewable and produce no emissions, while offering a cheap and effective alternative to fossil fuels. Business owners can also generate their energy if they invest in built-in turbines or solar panels. Choosing a new business energy supplier Finding the right supplier could be crucial for small business energy efficiency in financial terms. With a better tariff and price point, you could easily get more for your money, enhancing your energy efficiency. To request competitive energy prices and potentially find a new business supplier, visit our website today. We’re committed to keeping business owners and management in the know when it comes to efficiency and getting the most for their money.  

In the current UK business landscape, becoming sustainable is increasingly important. For many business owners, measuring energy performance is crucial for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and meeting regulatory requirements. In this blog post, we will be discussing how to measure energy performance by breaking down the key metrics and indicators, so you have a clearer understanding of your business’ energy performance.   The importance of energy performance Before we delve into the key metrics, it’s important to understand how energy performance affects a business and how it is measured. Energy performance is simply a measure of how efficiently businesses use energy in the workplace. Your business building is measured on energy performance through an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.   Understanding EPC ratings An EPC rating is a key measurement used to measure a business’ energy performance. EPC ratings are graded between A- G on overall performance. Grade A means your premise is very energy efficient, and a G rating indicates your premise is less efficient. An accredited energy assessor can provide you with your EPC rating. Having a higher rating is important as it reflects on your businesses sustainability image, and it can extend the building’s lifespan, boosting its value. If your workplace currently has a low EPC rating, there are ways to enhance energy performance to improve this.   Conducting an energy audit to review your energy performance A key way to review your energy performance is through an energy audit. This can give you key insights into your workplace energy performance and offer ways to improve your energy efficiency.   What does a business energy audit do? An energy audit assesses how your business uses energy and identifies areas for improvement to enhance efficiency and improve overall energy performance. An audit examines key metrics and measurables, below are some examples.   Key metrics and measurables Energy cost: Refers to the financial cost of energy for your premises. Carbon emissions: This assesses your businesses environmental impact, through tracking your energy waste. Energy consumption: Refers to measuring the overall amount of energy that your building uses. Energy intensity: This refers to the amount of energy used per unit of production. An energy audit helps to track these key metrics, and suggests areas of improvement to improve your overall energy efficiency. By implementing the suggestions from your audit, you can help your business become more sustainable and energy efficient.   Business smart meters A business smart meter allows you to track your energy usage, allowing you to see exactly how you’re using your energy and provides insight into how changes could be made. Smart meters allow you to have greater control over your businesses energy usage, providing key information into spending and usage. For more information about smart meters and would like to register one, please contact our team.