Why compare business energy prices?

Your business energy contract renewal lands in your inbox on a Tuesday morning. Fifteen minutes before a meeting, the rates are well above the ones you signed three years ago. That’s the moment most businesses realise commercial energy doesn’t work like the deal at home.

Business energy is bought on a different set of rules to domestic. There’s no Ofgem price cap. No published tariff to pick from. Every quote is built for your specific site based on your consumption, your meter type, your credit profile and the wholesale market on the day. Two businesses next door can end up paying very different rates for the same gas and electricity.

Since the market opened to competition, every UK business has been free to choose its supplier. Most haven’t looked at it since they were first signed up, which is exactly how rollover tariffs and out-of-contract rates end up costing more than they should. If you need to review your gas supply too, our how business gas is bought and billed covers that side.

How we help you switch business energy suppliers.

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    We will compare your prices for your business energy meter

    We will compare business energy suppliers from around the market

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    Choose the right business energy deal for your business

    Choose from a selection of business energy suppliers to secure your next deal

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    Sit back and relax and we will sort the rest

    Once you have selected your business energy quote, we take care of everything for you. From administration to the switch!

Our business energy suppliers

People in a business meeting

Let’s start comparing business energy suppliers

So you want to start saving on your business energy, here is a helpful guide of what you need.

So you want to compare business energy suppliers. Here’s what to know before you start.

Your business energy price is built from four parts: the unit rate you pay per kWh of energy used, a daily standing charge, Climate Change Levy (0.801p per kWh of gas and 0.775p per kWh of electricity in April 2026), and VAT at 20%, or 5% if you qualify as a very low user or a registered charity.

The unit rate itself isn’t one market figure. Suppliers build it from wholesale prices on the day, your annual consumption, your location on the network, your credit profile and how long you’re willing to commit. Two businesses next door can be quoted different numbers on the same afternoon.

For a full breakdown of how each component moves, see our guide on how business gas prices are calculated, or our walkthrough of what every line on a business energy bill means.

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Understanding business energy contracts

Fixed-term contract

A fixed-rate business energy contract locks your unit rate and daily standing charge for the full term, usually one to three years. Your price doesn’t move regardless of what wholesale markets do, which makes budgeting straightforward.

You’re paying a small premium for that certainty. The supplier has priced in their risk and margin, and built in a buffer in case wholesale prices rise. If wholesale prices fall during your term, you’ll watch newer deals sign at lower rates without being able to jump across. That’s the trade-off. For most small and medium businesses, the predictability is worth more than the chance of catching the market at exactly the right moment.

Variable contract

A variable-rate business energy contract tracks the market. Your unit rate shifts with wholesale gas and electricity prices, typically reviewed quarterly. When wholesale prices fall, your bills fall with them. When they rise, they rise too.

Fewer businesses choose variable because the unpredictability makes planning harder. Commercial variable rates are different from domestic variable tariffs in one important way. There’s no Ofgem cap sitting above them. If wholesale prices spike, the cost can move quickly. Variable tends to work best for businesses with strong cash flow and a view on where the market is heading, not for businesses that need cost certainty to budget.

Out of contract

Out-of-contract rates apply when your agreed contract has ended and you haven’t arranged a new one. Your supplier continues to provide energy, but the rate they charge is no longer a negotiated price. These default rates are typically 50 to 80% higher than a contracted deal. Sometimes more.

Many businesses only realise they’re on out-of-contract rates when a bill arrives bigger than expected. Some suppliers bury renewal notices in routine correspondence. Others have auto-renewal clauses that roll you onto terms you didn’t actively choose. The fastest way out is to agree a fresh contract. Our guide on out-of-contract business energy walks through the options.

Renewal Window

The renewal window is the period in which you can review your current business energy contract and agree a new deal. For most suppliers this sits between three and six months before your end date, though notice-period rules vary.

Starting early matters. It gives you time to compare quotes across multiple suppliers, check whether fixed or variable suits your current consumption pattern, and negotiate without the pressure of a deadline. Leaving it to the last weeks often means paperwork drags past your end date and you land briefly on out-of-contract rates. Our guide on when to renew a business energy contract covers the right window in detail.

Termination Notice

A termination notice is the formal notification that your contract is coming to an end, or that you intend not to renew with your current supplier. It needs to reach the supplier within their defined notice window, which can range from 30 days to several months depending on the contract.

Missing the notice window is one of the most common reasons businesses end up on out-of-contract rates. Auto-renewal clauses can also roll you onto new terms without an active renewal decision. Checking your contract’s notice period when you first sign is the simplest way to avoid either outcome. Our guide on what happens when a business energy contract ends covers the process if a notice is missed.

FAQS

How does the credit score of my company impact the process of comparing quotes for business energy?
Why do I need to sign an LOA when comparing business energy?
What is a deemed business energy contract?
What is an MPAN?
What is an MPRN?
Where can I find my MPAN or MPRN?

Which supplier has the best energy prices?
What is the difference between fixed and variable business energy contracts?
How are business energy prices calculated?
How long does a business energy contract last?
When should I start looking to renew my business energy contract?
Can I switch business energy supplier mid-contract?
What is a Climate Change Levy and do I have to pay it?
How do I switch business energy supplier?
Does my energy supply stop when I switch suppliers?
How long does it take to switch business energy?
What is a letter of authority and why do I need to sign one?

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