How the Bionic Digital Renewal Service Works
Switching business energy with Bionic means no need to worry about renewals. When it’s time to renew, we’ll automatically compare quotes and line up your next contract – this could save you up to £1,600* a year on your previous contract!
Still not sure? Here are three reasons why Digital Renewals can benefit your business:
- Never roll onto your supplier’s out-of-contract rates - We line up your next contract early to make sure there’s no expensive gap between contracts
- Access to exclusive rates negotiated by Bionic - We use collective buying power to negotiate exclusive rates from our panel of suppliers
- Save time and money on renewals – We automatically compare quotes and email you the results. More than 60% of Digital Renewal customers save an average of £500 per year**
At Bionic, we manage more business energy renewals on behalf of customers than anyone else in the market. We expect to save Digital renewal customers over £10million*** this year!
Sounds good? Here's all you need to know.
How do Digital Renewals work?
The Digital Renewal service is a core part of what we do at Bionic. When it’s time to renew your next business energy contract, we compare prices for you to make sure there’s no risk of you rolling onto your supplier’s more expensive out-of-contract rates.
Here’s how it works:
You opt-in to Digital Renewals
When we first help sort a business energy contract, we’ll ask if you want to opt-in to digital renewals next time. Around 85% of our customers do choose to opt-in.
It’s up to you. If you opt-in, you can choose the preferences for your renewal, such as staying with your current supplier, moving to the cheapest and suppliers you’d prefer not to use.
We send you a welcome email
Once you’ve signed up, we’ll send you a welcome email to remind you that you’ve opted for Digital Renewals and make sure you know how the service works.
It's important for us to have the right phone number and the best email address to catch you at.
We keep in touch
There can be a long gap between sorting your energy contract and renewing it. So, we’ll send a few reminders that you’ve opted for Digital Renewals along with details on how the service is performing.
At this point, you might want to get other useful emails from us, like our fortnightly newsletter for small business owners, The Backbone.
We send you your quotes
When it’s time to switch, we’ll send your quotes by email and, if we have your mobile number, a reminder by text.
This bit is really important as you have three days to choose whether to switch or renew later. If we don’t hear back, we’ll take it you’re happy and sort the switch.
You can choose not to renew or delay the service at this point – it's important to keep an eye out for our email and text message.
Your contract goes live
Once your new supply contract is signed, you’re committed to it – the industry standard is that non-domestic energy contracts don’t offer a cooling-off period. That’s why it’s important to check your email to make sure you’re happy with the contract.
This contract will then go live when your current one ends. Our switch team will be on hand to support you through the switch.
- We compare rates – When your contract comes up for renewal, we automatically search our panel of energy suppliers for the best available rates. Our suppliers buy early and buy in bulk, so your Digital Renewal prices will be the same or better than those available if you were to call Bionic on the day we arrange your renewal.
- We share the quotes with you – We send you the quotes in an email, along with an SMS reminder to check your inbox. It’s important we have your most up-to-date contact details so you don’t miss this information.
- You choose the best one – You'll have three days to choose the quote you prefer. Or, if you’re happy with our recommended option, you don’t need to do a thing. We’ll sort out your next contract, and you can get on with running your business. You're also free to opt out if you’d sooner sort it yourself.
That’s how it works, but why should you sign up?
Why use our Digital Renewal service?
The Bionic Digital Renewal service is designed to save you time, money, and hassle. Here’s how signing up can do just that.
Save time, hassle (and money)
You can sort your next energy contract with Digital Renewals in the time it takes to read an email. No need to run a comparison or speak to one of our experts.
Using collective buying power and sorting your renewal quotes early means we can save you money too. Buying early and in bulk means we can secure rates that would be the same or better than those available if you were to call Bionic on the day we arrange your renewal.
Never pay out-of-contract rates again
When you sign a business energy contract, your unit rate and standing charge are fixed for the length of that contract.
If you don’t sort a new contract to start when your current one ends, your supplier will put you on out-of-contract rates. These are currently 38% higher than contracted electricity rates, and 35% higher than contracted gas rates. And there’s no price cap to keep rates down.
Digital Renewals make sure you never need to worry about missing a renewal – and paying more expensive out-of-contract rates – ever again.
Stay in control of your renewals
You can renew by simply choosing your preferred option in an email, or go with our recommended option and leave the rest to us. If you’d no longer like to be part of our Digital Renewal service, you’re free to opt out.
Everything you need to know about the Digital Renewal service
Now you know how it works and why it’s worth signing up, let’s answer the questions that most customers ask about the Digital Renewal service.
Why are the rates I've been quoted higher than the rates I'm currently paying?
It’s unusual for energy prices to fall^, which is why your renewal rates are usually higher than the rates you’re currently paying. If your last energy contract was signed two or three years ago, you’ll generally find your new rates are higher simply because energy prices have risen.
Given that it’s very likely your new energy deal will be more expensive than your current one, how can a Digital Renewal help you save money? Here’s how:
- Against out-of-contract rates - The rates you’re offered on a fixed contract are usually lower than those you get when you’re out-of-contract. This means that fixing your rates usually saves money against rolling on to your supplier’s out-of-contract rates.
- Against your renewal offer from your current supplier - You might also be able to get cheaper rates by switching suppliers. When your current contract is up for renewal, your supplier should send you the offer of another contract. But the rates on offer may not be as competitive as those you get from another supplier.
- Against future price rises – Signing up to a long-term fixed rate deal secures price certainty that can protect against any price rises during the term of your contract.
What if prices go down after you’ve arranged this contract?
Energy prices are always fluctuating, but the general trend is that they increase with inflation. Your Digital Renewal prices will be the same or better than those available from Bionic if you were to call on the day we arrange your renewal.
Why have I been signed up for a new contract months before my current one ends?
When you switch business energy, your new contract doesn’t start until your current one ends. When we sign you up for a new contract, we’re not cancelling your current one, we’re simply getting your next one ready to make sure there’s no expensive gap between contracts.
We sort Digital Renewal contracts between six and nine months before your current contract ends because buying early and in bulk means we can secure rates that would be the same or better than those available if you were to call Bionic on the day we arrange your renewal.
How can you automatically sign me up for a new contract?
When you sign up for Digital Renewal, you agree to let us sign a new energy contract on your behalf. This is done via a Letter of Authority (LOA), which permits us to speak with other suppliers on your behalf, within agreed limits.
We always keep a copy of your LOA along with all relevant call recordings. This helps us to handle your account and means you can check on the status of your Digital Renewal at any time.
Why do I only have three days to decide?
Energy prices are always changing, which means suppliers can only hold prices for a short time. This is usually for one day only, but we negotiate with suppliers to hold Digital Renewal rates for three days.
We also email you three weeks before your new contract is due to be signed, and you can delay this if you won’t be available.
For more detailed information, check out our guide to the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
I don’t remember signing up for a Digital Renewal
Non-domestic energy contracts can run for up to four years, so it’s often the case that the person who signed up for Digital Renewal has simply forgotten. Digital Renewal contracts can be signed verbally over the phone, just like an energy contract. This means you may not have a physical copy with your signature on it.
There’s also the issue that people leave the business during that time and don’t pass on all the relevant information before they leave.
Our customer service agents can tell you who signed you up and give you a copy of your LOA. We can also share a recording of the call that confirms you agreed to Digital Renewal.
We’re working hard to improve our communications to make sure you’re reminded of your renewal in plenty of time, but it’s important that we have up to date contact details for the relevant people at your business.
How can I opt out of the Digital Renewal service?
Once you have signed up for a new contract with a supplier, this is legally binding and is unlikely to be cancelled. But you can opt out of the Digital Renewal service by getting in touch with our team at any time up to two days after your quote email is sent.
Alternatively, if you’re not going to be around, or would like to delay receiving your quotes, call or email our team to arrange a more convenient date.
The contact details for the Digital Renewal team are 0800 326 5552 on the phone or digitalrenewal@bionic.co.uk by email.
Digital Renewals facts and figures
Need to know a bit more about the facts and figures mentioned above? Here's our working out.
* Based all Customers for which Bionic arranged a replacement supplier contract using our Digital Renewal (formerly DIFY) service in January 2025 to commence on expiry of their existing contract between February 2025 and December 2025
** Based on Digital Renewal customers being renewed in January 2025. Across 3,678 customers, 2,000 with a saving. Spend based on latest consumption readings, with changes only in rates themselves
*** Based on all Customers for which Bionic arranged a Digital Renewal (formerly DIFY) replacement supplier contract in January 2025 to commence on expiry of their existing contract between February 2025 and December 2025
^Covid and the energy price crisis have caused unnatural drops and spikes in energy prices over the last few years. In normal times, inflation usually means prices rise gradually and rarely fall and Digital Renewal has secured much better rates for the vast majority of customers over the last five years.