Compare business energy prices and switch suppliers with Bionic

When switching to a new business energy deal, there are four main types of tariff to choose from:

• Fixed term business gas and electricity tariffs
• Blend and extend tariffs
• Flex approach tariffs
• Pass through tariffs

Each is designed to meet the different needs of business energy users. To find out more, go to our guide on business energy tariffs.

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 will use 10,000 kWh of gas and up to 15,000 kWh of electricity a year
• Small businesses will use 25,000 kWh of gas and up to 25,000 kWh of electricity a year
• Medium-sized businesses will use 45,000 kWh of gas and up to 50,000 kWh of electricity a year
• Large businesses will use around 80,000kWh of electricity a year

To find out more, check out our guide to average business energy consumption.

The amount you pay for your energy will depend upon the type of deal your business is on, how and when you use gas and electricity, 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:

• Micro Business - £1,254 a year
• Small Business - £2,894 a year
• Medium Business - £5,612 a year
• Large Business - £10,688 a year

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 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 large business and industrial energy.

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.

For everything you need to know about meter numbers, check out Bionic’s guide to MPAN and MPRN..

If you run an energy-intensive business that requires more than one meter for gas and electricity, 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.

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 gas and business electricity 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.

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.

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.

To find more, check out our guide to your business energy when relocating.

Business energy prices are always changing. The only way to make sure you’re on the best deal is to compare prices 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.