It doesn't always pay to stick with the same business energy supplier. Here are three good reasons why thousands of businesses compare and switch business energy suppliers with Bionic:
Dodge out-of-contract rates - If you’re suddenly paying ridiculous rates, you might be out of contract. And being loyal to your supplier doesn’t always pay off. Switching now could shave money off your monthly bill, and if you really don’t want to switch, we’ll do the heavy lifting and negotiate with your current supplier.
Pay less for longer - We don’t just look at price, we listen to what your business needs. Sometimes it makes more sense to lock in a lower rate for a longer period. This gives you peace of mind for longer in an unpredictable market, so you can sit back and relax.
Dependable suppliers – No one wants the hassle of their energy supplier going bust. We work with a panel of trusted suppliers who offer a reliable service along with great rates. We’ll manage the admin so you can get back to running your business.
How Bionic business energy comparison works
No long forms
Start a business energy comparison with just your postcode. We use secure smart data to find the details we need to run your quote.
We’ll do the comparison for you
Once we know more about the needs of your business, we'll compare quotes and exclusive deals from our panel of trusted UK suppliers.
We'll talk you through the quotes
One of our experts will explain the quotes on screen and answer any questions. You choose the best deal and we’ll handle the rest.
Your Bionic comparison is free.
If you decide to switch, we’ll be paid a commission by the new supplier that is included in the prices we quote.
Why it’s better to talk
Switching business energy is more complicated than switching domestic energy. That's why 75% of business owners say they'd sooner speak to someone to get their questions answered. Our tech-enabled experts are on hand to help business owners just like you.
Look behind headline savings figures
Business energy prices are calculated with many ‘moving parts’, like standing charges, unit rates, and other fees. We’ll help you look behind the headline figures to see which deals will result in savings for your business.
Tailor your price
Why accept the first price you’re given? As the UK’s market leader for business energy comparison, we get exclusive rates from our panel of trusted UK energy suppliers, and can tailor prices to suit your business’s needs.
Make your new contract more likely to go live
Bionic has a dedicated team who manage your old and new suppliers to save you the hassle. When we talk, we can make sure all the details are exactly right so your new contract is more likely to go live smoothly.
All part of the service with Bionic
Proactive comparison for your next contract
Bionic’s Digital Renewal service makes everything much quicker and easier when it’s time to sort your next energy contract. We’ll proactively do your next comparison for you, and share it by email. You then choose the deal you want online, and we’ll take care of everything else for you.
Sort all your business essentials in one place
Bionic is a one-stop shop for business energy, business insurance, business connectivity (phone line and broadband), and business finance (loans). Save yourself time and hassle by getting all your business products sorted in one place. Just one name to remember for any of your essential services.
What’s the best energy supplier for your business?
We compare quotes from a panel of suppliers to find a deal that works for your business. If you’d prefer to switch to any specific suppliers on the list, let us know.
If you run a large, high-energy consumption business, we offer a range of additional services, including bespoke procurement, bill validation, metering and data collection, and meters for multiple sites. We can also compare deals from a range of other providers, including:
When looking for the best business energy rates, it’s worth knowing what rates similar-sized businesses are paying.
To find out what the average business gas prices per kWh are in 2023, check out the table below:
Latest business gas rates in 2023
Business size
Gas unit price per kWh
Gas daily standing charge
Micro Business
11.2p
58.1p
Small Business
9.9p
40.1p
Medium Business
9.5p
67.6p
Large Business
9.1p
67.8p
To find out what the average business electricity prices per kWh are in 2023, check out the table below:
Latest business electricity rates in 2023
Business size
Electricity unit price per kWh
Electricity daily standing charge
Micro Business
30.0p
92.3p
Small Business
29.3p
84.0p
Medium Business
30.1p
73.8p
Large Business
27.8p
68.4p
Note: Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The prices you’re quoted may be different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Bionic per business size from November 1 to November 14, 2023. Rates do not include any Energy Bills Discount Scheme discount.
How much energy does your business use?
The average amount of energy a business uses will depend upon the size of the business, along with how and why it uses energy.
But to give you a rough idea of how much energy your business should be using, here are the average energy usage figures for SMEs and large businesses:
Microbusinesses use an average of 10,000 kWh of gas and up to 15,000 kWh of electricity a year
Small businesses use an average of 25,000 kWh of gas and up to 25,000 kWh of electricity a year
Medium-sized businesses use an average of 45,000 kWh of gas and up to 50,000 kWh of electricity a year
Large businesses use more than 65,000 kWh of gas and more than 50,000kWh of electricity a year
The amount you pay for your energy will depend upon the type of deal your business is on, how and when you use energy, as well as the energy efficiency of your workplace. The size and location of your business will also play a part.
But, to give you a rough idea of how much you should be paying, check out the following estimates:
Note: Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The prices you’re quoted may be different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Bionic per business size from November 1 to November 14, 2023. Rates do not include any Energy Bills Discount Scheme discount.
What support is the government offering for high business energy bills?
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme has been running since October 1, 2021, to help businesses struggling with high energy bills. On April 1, 2023, this will be replaced by the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.
Neither scheme is a business energy price cap. Instead, both offer a discount on the unit rate of eligible non-domestic energy contracts signed on or after December 1, 2021. Variable, deemed, and out-of-contract rates will also be covered by the scheme. The new scheme will run for 12 months.
The Energy Bills Discount Scheme discount is only given when agreed rates are below a certain level, so if your contracted rates are lower than this government threshold then you won't get the discount. There's also a baseline rate that is the lowest amount your rates can be discounted to. This means you might not get the full discount if your rates are low enough for a partial discount to take them down to this level.
That's why it still makes sense to do a business energy comparison and compare business energy suppliers to find the lowest possible rates. Getting a fixed deal means you'll not be affected by any further price volatility and help you avoid rolling on to your suppliers' (usually more expensive) out-of-contract rates.
What is the Energy Bills Discount Scheme?
The Energy Bills Discount Scheme is the government's latest business energy support scheme. It will replace the Energy Bill Relief Scheme from April 1. As with the scheme it's replacing, it's not a cap on business energy prices but will instead offer discounted unit rates on fixed-price contracts signed on or after December 1, 2021, as well as deemed and out-of-contract rates, subject to a minimum threshold.
Who is eligible for the Energy Bills Discount Scheme?
The Energy Bills Discount scheme is open to anyone on a fixed non-domestic energy contract that was signed on or after December 1, 2021. It's also available on new fixed-rate contracts, as well as any deemed, out-of-contract, or variable-rate contracts.
If you're a large business on a flexible purchase or similar contract, you'll also be eligible. In this instance, it might also be worth finding out if your business falls into the Energy Trade Intensive Industries category as the scheme works differently.
There are some additional conditions though. If your unit rates are below the government's minimum threshold then you'll not be eligible for the scheme. And you'll only get a partial discount if not all of the maximum discount is needed to get your rates to the government threshold level.
For reference, the following discount and threshold rates apply to most businesses:
Gas – A maximum of £0.00697 (about 0.7p per kWh) off the difference between the wholesale element of the unit rate you pay to your business gas supplier and the price threshold of 10.70p per kWh.
Electricity - £0.01961 (about 2.0p per kWh) off the difference between the wholesale element of the unit rate you pay to your business electricity supplier and the price threshold of 30.20p per kWh.
Gas – 4.0p off the difference between the wholesale element of the unit rate you pay to your supplier and the price threshold of 9.9p per kWh.
Electricity – 8.9p off the difference between the wholesale element of the unit rate you pay to your supplier and the price threshold of 18.5p per kWh.
What types of business energy deals are available?
When comparing new business energy deals, there are four main types of tariffs to choose from:
Fixed term energy tariffs –These usually lasts between one and four years, during which time the unit cost and standing charges stay the same.
Blend and extend tariffs - These deals allow you to extend the length of your current contract with the same supplier, who will then reward your loyalty with lower rates.
Flex approach tariffs – With this type of tariff you can take advantage of favourable wholesale rates by buying your energy for the months or years ahead, usually when costs are low.
Pass through tariffs - A pass-through tariff splits your bill in two between the wholesale energy costs, which is fixed, and the other elements that make up the unit rates, which vary and are most suited to businesses who don’t need price certainty.
Each is designed to meet the different needs of business energy users. To find out more, go to our guide on business energy tariffs.
Business Energy FAQs
To help you understand more about switching business energy, here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Does the energy price cap apply to businesses?
There is no price cap on business energy rates. Instead, the government has offered a series of discount schemes for business energy users. The Energy Price Relief Scheme (EBRS) gave businesses discounted energy rates for six months from October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. It has been replaced by the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS), which will run from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. This is available to businesses on fixed-price contracts signed on or after December 1, 2021, as well as deemed and out-of-contract rates. The discount is subject to a minimum threshold.
As with EBRS, the lower your contracted rates while the EBDS scheme is running, the lower your discounted bills will be. But rates won't be discounted any lower than 30.2p for electricity and 10.7p for gas. To find out more, check out our guide to the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.
What are the best business energy deals currently available?
Business energy prices are always changing. The only way to make sure you’re on the best deal is to carry out a business energy comparison and switch. And remember, signing up to a new deal as soon as your switching window opens can help you lock in lower rates and beat any energy price rises.
Who is the cheapest business energy supplier?
Because of the way business energy is bought and sold, rates are constantly changing. Different suppliers offer various deals depending on when you compare and switch - so the suppliers that offer the cheapest rates are always changing. When it comes to securing a reliable business energy deal, price isn’t the only thing you should consider though – you need to make you choose a deal that best suits your business needs.
What is a deemed contract?
Deemed contracts are a type of energy deal suppliers use for businesses that have reached the end of an energy contract without switching suppliers or signing up to a new one with their current supplier.
The rates on deemed contracts are usually among the highest charged by suppliers, and prices are considered the least competitive in the energy market. Avoid overpaying for energy by switching to a new deal before your current contract expires.
What is a letter of authority (LOA)?
When you compare business energy prices and switch with any broker, comparison site or third-party intermediary (TPI), you’ll need to sign a Letter of Authority (LoA).
As this is a recognised legal document, it follows a standard format and states that while a third party can gather information, negotiate and submit notice of termination on your behalf, they do not have the right to agree a contract without your consent.
When you switch with Bionic, signing this letter confirms that you’ve given us permission to handle the switch with both your old and new suppliers. But we can’t agree to a contract on your behalf until you’ve signed the LOA. This means you stay in complete control of the switch.
What information do I need when switching my business energy?
When you switch with Bionic, we use smart data to find a lot of the information we need to help you switch to a better deal. This means we only need your postcode to start a business energy comparison.
We’ll take care of the switch for you, and even look after your renewals to make sure you never overpay for energy again.
How long does it take to switch business energy suppliers?
Business energy switches usually take around six weeks to complete, but it all depends on when your current contract expires - even if you agree on rates well in advance of your contract's end date, you won't be switched to your new supplier until this deal has expired.
If you're on a non-domestic energy deal then you can only agree to a new contract when your current one is up for renewal. This can be anything up to ten months before the contract's end date, so it's worth keeping an eye on the date. If you sign up for the Bionic Digital Renewal service, we can take care of this for you.
Will my business be disrupted when I switch suppliers?
No. The switching process is usually straightforward, and your business will face no disruption when you change supplier. And you won't need to worry about your new provider installing anything at your business premises, as they’ll use the same pipes and cables as your old supplier.
What happens to my energy deal when I move business premises?
If you’re moving into a new business premises, your energy contract will either be transferred to the new property, or it will be cancelled. If it’s cancelled, you’ll be on an expensive ‘deemed rates’ contract with that property’s existing supplier, and you should set up a new deal as soon as possible.
Can I switch energy suppliers if I run a large or industrial business?
Yes. If your business uses more than 55,000 kWh of electricity or 200,000 kWh of gas each year, or it has a half-hourly meter, energy suppliers will fall under a large business classification.
At Bionic, we have a team dedicated to large business energy users and offer a bespoke procurement and bill validation service. To find out more, visit our guide to industrial and large business energy.
Do you need a business energy contract if you work from home?
If you work from home, even as a sole trader, you may be eligible for a business energy deal. While you don’t necessarily need to take out a business contract, doing so means you can take advantage of cheaper business rates by running a commercial energy comparison.
To qualify for a commercial business contract, you’ll need to prove that you work from home and that more than half of the energy you use there is for business purposes. This might sound like a lot, but just using heating and lighting while going about your day-to-day business matters is often enough to take you over this threshold. But you will have to deduct any power used by appliances that would be on regardless of your business, such as fridges and freezers.
Do you offer energy price comparison for small businesses?
Yes, British small businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a big part in our customer community. Business energy rates can vary depending on the size of your business, but if you run a micro business then your contract might work differently to other non-domestic energy contracts. For more information, and to find out whether you run a micro business, check out our guide to micro business energy contracts.
Is Bionic a business energy broker?
Bionicsits somewhere in between a broker and a price comparison service. We use smart data to get most of the information we need online, like a price comparison website but we use real human experts to sort the finished deals. This lessens the amount of form-filing you need to do and cuts the length of time you need to spend on the phone with an expert. Learn more about energy brokers for business here.
We don’t charge you for our comparison service. If you switch with Bionic, we’ll let you know exactly how much commission your supplier will pay us before your contract is signed. Read more in our blog on our commission transparency.
What does MPAN and MPRN mean?
MPAN stands for Meter Point Administration number, and is used by suppliers to identify the electricity supply at your property. Also known as the ‘Suppy Number’ or ‘S Number’, this is a 21-digit number that begins with an ‘S’ and should be displayed on your electricity bill, but not on the meter itself.
MPRN stands for Meter Point Reference Number, and is used by suppliers to identify the gas supply at your property. Also known as an ‘M Number’, your MRPN will be between six and ten digits, which you can find on your business gas bill or on your meter.
If you run an energy-intensive business that requires more than one meter, or you operate across a number of different sites, you might have multiple energy contracts, with multiple contract end dates from multiple suppliers.
If this is the case, a multi-site energy contract could save you time and money, as it will cover the billing for more than one meter, whether at a single business premises or in multiple locations. To find out more, check out our guide to multi-site energy.
Our experts share essential knowledge on business energy
Sign up to The Backbone, our free fortnightly newsletter for anyone who owns, runs, or works in one of the millions of businesses across the UK. Get the inside track from real business owners just like you
We use cookies to offer you the best experience online by understanding how you use our site.
By clicking 'Accept all’ you agree to the use of cookies. To manage your preferences choose ‘Manage preferences’ and if you would like to know more please view our privacy & cookie policy.
Your cookie preferences
You can manage your cookie preferences in the sections below. If you would like to know please view our privacy & cookie policy.
Essential
These cookies are essential for the functionality and security of our website. Without them, we can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to navigate around our website and use its features, including access to any secure areas of the site.
Marketing
These cookies help us understand which products, services and offers may be the most relevant to you. We may use this data to tailor the ads you see on our own and other websites and apps.
Performance
These cookies let us know how you’re using our site. This information helps us understand how our products and services are being used and what we can do to improve them. All information collected by these cookies is aggregated and anonymous.