Bionic business energy suppliers

At Bionic, we understand that every business is unique and has different needs when it comes to gas and electricity contracts - even two businesses that appear similar on the surface can have very different energy demands once you dig a little deeper.

This means that the best energy supplier for one business might not quite fit the bill for another. And the best energy suppliers for small businesses might not be able to handle the demands of energy-intensive, high-consumption companies.

That’s why we arm our tech-enabled experts with the latest smart data and compare deals from a panel of trusted business energy suppliers that offer reliable supply and great service alongside competitive best gas and electricity rates.

And because non-domestic energy contracts don't work like domestic ones, switching is a bit more complicated. There are more reasons why suppliers might object to your switch and there's no cooling-off period, so you need to be completely happy with your contract before signing. 

When you switch with Bionic, we'll support you throughout the process to help make sure your contract goes live when it should. 

For more on the switching process and a closer look at Bionic’s business energy suppliers, keep reading.

Why does Bionic work with a panel of gas and electric suppliers for business?

Although saving money is often the main motivation when switching business energy, it’s important to find a reliable provider who can meet the needs and demands of your business. That’s why we work with a panel of trusted suppliers who can offer the complete package of excellent service, supply and rates.

And by working closely with these suppliers, we can even negotiate exclusive rates on behalf of your business. This means we can find great deals whether you’re comparing small business energy suppliers or industrial energy suppliers - no business is too large or small for our team of tech-enabled experts.

Who are the best energy suppliers for business?

We believe the best commercial energy suppliers are the ones we have on our panel, which range from big name providers to smaller independent and specialist suppliers. 

When you compare business electricity and gas deals with Bionic, we’ll look at what’s on offer from the following suppliers and many more, depending on the size, circumstances and needs of your business:

• BG Lite – Part of the Centrica family, the parent company of British Gas, BG Lite is a fixed-price gas and electricity service for small businesses. Low prices, online account management and an electricity smart meter at no extra cost are all features of this plan. Learn more in our British Gas reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• BG Plus – A Centrica brand, BG Plus offers fixed-price electricity deals for high-consumption and large businesses that use half-hourly metering. This plan allows instant access to your meter consumption data to help forecast and manage your business energy bills. Learn more in our British Gas reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• BG Core – Part of Centrica, the UK’s biggest energy company, BG Core could be a good option if you prefer an account that’s not managed online, as it comes with paper billing or e-billing, along with a dedicated phone line for customer services. Learn more in our British Gas reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• Crown - The energy and utility division of Crown Oil Group, Crown Energy has more than 25 years of experience in the installation and connection of gas, electricity, and water to homes, businesses, the public sector and the construction industry. Potentially a good option if you want all your business utilities provided by the same supplier.  Crown is also one of the few suppliers offering ‘green gas’ as either 100%, 50% or 25%  biomethane. This is generally only available to large businesses, so might not be available to you if you run an SME. Learn more in our Crown reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• EDF Energy - One of the largest UK business energy suppliers, EDF has the capacity to serve businesses of all sizes, as well as those that operate across a number of locations and need multi-site metering. Learn more in our EDF Energy reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• SSE - One of the UK’s biggest suppliers, SSE offers easy-to-manage business energy deals for SMEs and sole traders alongside large corporate energy solutions, including energy management for the public sector, corporates and consortiums. Learn more in our SSE reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• ScottishPower - Another of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers, ScottishPower offers energy deals for businesses of all sizes and promotes online account management, either via an online portal or smartphone app, along with automated meter reading to help your business save both time and money. Learn more in our ScottishPower reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• TotalEnergies - With more than 30 years of industry experience, TotalEnergies is part of Total, one of the world’s leading oil and gas companies and a major player in low-carbon energies. It currently supplies more than 200,000 sites across the UK and offers products to meet the demands of your business, whether large or small. Learn more in our TotalEnergies reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• Valda Energy - A newcomer to the market, Valda Energy specialises in energy for small to medium-sized companies (SMEs). Valda Energy is also a keen adopter of sustainability and renewable energy, which it buys from independent energy producers across Great Britain who generate energy using solar, hydro, wind and anaerobic digestion. Learn more in our Valda Energy reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.
• YÜ Energy - One of the newest suppliers on the market, YÜ Energy is a specialist in small business utilities. It aims to offer competitively priced energy deals that are tailored to the needs of your business, along with lightning-quick customer service. Learn more in our YÜ Energy reviews, prices, and tariffs guide.

If you operate a large, energy-intensive business, we can also compare rates from the following suppliers - give our energy experts a call on 0800 787 0067 for more information:

• Engie
• E.ON Next
• Drax
• Shell Energy
• Smartest
• Npower

Opus Energy was also part of our panel but this supplier will cease trading from September this year. 90,000 non-domestic energy contracts will be taken over by EDF Energy. For more information, check out our guide to what happens when your energy supplier goes bust or ceases trading.

Who is the cheapest business energy supplier?

Energy prices always change, so it's difficult to say who the cheapest supplier is from one month to the next. Visit our business gas and business electricity pages to learn each supplier's latest business gas rates and each supplier's latest business electricity rates.

What happens when you switch business energy suppliers?

When you compare business energy quotes and switch with Bionic, signing the contract is the start of a process that involves many moving parts. Here’s how it works: 

Step 1 – The paperwork 

1. You sign the contract. This is usually done via DocuSign so we can get started immediately instead of waiting for contracts to be physically signed and sent by post. 

How does DocuSign work? 

• You review the contract and the disclosure statement, then click to agree to use an electronic signature. 
• Once that's done, fill in any blanks, like your address, initials, or the date. You can then draw your signature or type it using a signature style of your choice. This sometimes confuses customers who don’t recognise this signature later on. Try to remember what style you used and download a copy of the contract after you’ve signed it. 

And remember, it’s industry standard that business energy contracts don’t offer a cooling-off period. This is the case no matter which supplier you choose, so make sure you’re completely happy before signing. 

2. Internal quality assurance check. We need to check we’ve got all the information needed to set up the contract with your new supplier. This includes confirmation that it’s all correct and meets the supplier’s rules. If we hit a snag, we’ll be in touch. 

3. We send you a summary of the new contract. We’ll send you a summary of your new contract, so you have all the details to hand. This will be done by email within a few days of signing. 

4. You send us a copy of a recent bill. This helps us confirm the end date of your current contract so we can be sure your new contract starts on the right date. Your new contract won’t start until your current one ends. If the new contract is set to start before your existing one ends, your current supplier can object. If it starts later than the current contract’s end date, you’ll be put on more expensive out-of-contract rates until it begins. 

Step 2 – Checks and final readings 

1. Both suppliers must approve the switch. Both your current and new suppliers will carry out checks before they approve the switch. We work hard to make sure everything goes through when it should, but things sometimes stall. In fact, objections happen to around 20% of customers, usually for the following reasons: 

• Your new supplier may block the switch as some information about your business or your energy meters is incorrect or missing. 
• Your current supplier can block the switch if you owe money on your account. 
• The start date for your new contract is wrong. 

If your switch is rejected, we’ll let you know straight away and try to support you with any problems. 

2. Send a final meter reading. Once the switch has been approved, you need to send a current meter reading to your supplier to make sure your final bill is correct. 

And that’s it. Your new contract should go live on the agreed date. Remember, this could be a few months off as your new contract doesn’t start until your current one ends. 

Your new supplier will send out your first bill within four to eight weeks of the contract going live (the time it takes will depend on your supplier).  We’ll send you a guide to help you read and understand your bill before it arrives. 

Anything else to consider when switching?  

There are a few instances when you might have some other things to do to help your switch go through on time, including: 

• Smart meter installation – If your new supplier needs you to get a smart meter fitted, this usually (but not always) needs to be done before your contract goes live. It makes sense to get it fitted before your new contract starts, and you’ll need to arrange the installation date with your new supplier  
• Moving business premises - If you’re moving to new business premises, things work differently. You can find out more in our guide to change of tenancy and switching energy when you relocate your business.. 
• The supplier isn’t on our panel – At Bionic, we work with a panel of trusted suppliers who offer great service and competitive rates. If you’re switching from a supplier on our panel, we’ll contact them to let them know. If the supplier isn’t on our panel, you need to tell them about the switch. 
• You owe your supplier money – Owing money on an account is the most common reason a supplier will block a switch. Clear all account balances before you switch or your new contract may not go live. If this happens, your current supplier will continue to supply your energy but you'll pay its more expensive out-of-contract rates. If you can't afford to pay your business energy bills, speak to your supplier as soon as possible to arrange a repayment plan.

What types of contracts do business energy suppliers offer?

Most business energy suppliers offer fixed contracts that lock in the unit rate for a specified amount of time. Here are the contract durations most commonly offered by our panel of suppliers:

The type of deal will also depend upon the needs and circumstances of your business, so you might be offered one of the following tariffs: 

• Blend and extend
• Flex approach
• Pass through
• Multi-site

What is a good rate for commercial energy?

The current uncertainty and volatility in the energy market make it almost impossible to say what makes a good rate for business gas and electricity. And with no price cap for businesses, suppliers can charge commercial customers as much as they need to, to reflect the rise in wholesale prices. 

Suppliers increased their out-of-contract rates (the rates you're switched to if you don't sign up for a new deal before your current one expires) by 100% between August 2021 and April 2022.

That's why it's important to compare energy suppliers to find a deal that suits your business. To get an idea of how much rates were before the energy crisis, check out our guide to average business energy consumption.

Who is the cheapest business energy supplier in the UK?

Energy prices are constantly changing and suppliers are always competing to provide the best rates to win your business. But switching suppliers isn't all about price, it's also about the quality and reliability of service.

That's why we only work with a panel of suppliers who we know can offer great service alongside competitive rates. And if your energy supplier was to go bust, being signed up to our Digital Renewal service means we can look for a better-priced replacement to save you being put onto out-of-contract rates with an Ofgem-appointed supplier.

Should you switch to a smaller business energy supplier?

When you switch business energy suppliers, you need to decide whether you want to go with one of the long-established suppliers or opt for a challenger brand that might be relatively new to the industry.

But don’t let the supplier name put you off as the key to choosing which supplier to go with is whether or not the deal on offer meets your needs and expectations. And don’t assume a larger supplier will offer better levels of customer service, as some of the less well-known providers have better customer satisfaction scores than the bigger brands.

Remember, although the cost is important, you also need to consider the suitability of the supplier when you switch business gas suppliers or compare business electricity suppliers in the UK - suppliers provide bespoke deals depending upon the size and needs of your business, with different contract terms and levels of service. This means that while one supplier might be ideal for a small cafe, it might not be equipped to meet the needs of an industrial manufacturing unit.

This is why it pays to carry out a business energy comparison with Bionic - we only work with trusted suppliers and our tech-enabled experts will use smart data and all their knowledge to make sure you’re on exactly the right type of energy deal with a suitable supplier.

Can your business energy supplier block your switch?

• Your supplier does have the right to block your switch, but only in the following specific circumstances:  
• If you owe money to your supplier. If you owe more than £500 for gas or £500 for electricity, your supplier can block your switch until the debt has been repaid.
• If your current fixed-term contract hasn’t ended. Once you sign up for a deal, you can’t switch to a new deal until this one has expired. Even so, you can compare deals as soon as your switching window is open.
• You don’t pass your new supplier’s credit check - You may not realise it but business energy suppliers always run a credit check to help work out whether or not you are low risk or high risk before they enter into a contract with you so that they can have some assurances that you’re unlikely to default on your energy tariff. 

Can you change your energy supplier if you’re in debt?

Before you compare business or domestic energy deals, remember that if you’ve been in debt with your supplier for more than 28 days, you won’t be able to switch until the debt is paid off. 

And you won’t be able to compare deals until your current deal enters its switching window. This is usually between one and six months before its end date.

Will your energy be turned off if your switch gets blocked?

The simple answer is no. It’s rare for a supplier to resort to the lengths of disconnecting a customer’s energy supply.

Disconnection is usually a supplier’s last resort, and most will only do this when all other avenues have been exhausted in trying to recuperate debt from a customer over a considerable time. Before disconnecting your premises, your supplier must make a reasonable effort to contact you, via email, phone and letter.

In addition to an outstanding balance, your supplier has the legal right to disconnect your supply if you have unlawfully altered your premises’ energy meter. An unlawful alteration would be any modification that changes the function of the meter. This is usually done to bypass the meter and reduce the amount you’re being charged for energy.

Provided you are not in debt and you have not altered your meter in any unlawful way, then there is very little chance that your supply will be cut off during a switch – even if either supplier chooses to block the switch. In the event that your switch is blocked and your current contract ends, instead of your supply being cut off, your current supplier will move you onto more expensive out-of-contract rates until a resolution can be found, and a new contract is organised.

How long does it take to switch suppliers?

There is a perception that switching your energy is a long and drawn-out process and that any savings that can be made aren’t enough to make it worth the hassle. But the truth is that Bionic’s tech-enabled experts can find a better deal within a matter of minutes.

The switch itself should only take five working days. Ofgem's Faster Switching scheme (see below) has dramatically cut the time it takes to switch from up to six weeks to just one working week.

But remember, you'll only be switched to your new business energy contract once your current contract has ended. This means if you secure new rates with six months left until your current contract end date, the switch won't actually take place for another six months.

Switching times can be affected by the circumstances of your own business or an objection from your current supplier. These objections can happen for a number of different reasons, including:

• If you have an outstanding balance with your current supplier.
• If both your current and new suppliers agree that the switch request was made in error.
• If you have multiple meter points at one premises and fail to switch them all on the same day.
• If termination has not been given to your current supplier.
• If the incorrect contract start date has been given to your new supplier.

If your supplier blocks your switch, they have a legal obligation to let you know why they’re doing so, as soon as possible.

If you choose to switch and you experience switching times beyond six weeks, then you should write to your supplier and ask for a progress update.

Your supplier will have 14 days to respond to your query and if they fail to respond within this time then you should seek to escalate the issue to your supplier’s CEO, who will have an additional 14 days.

If you’re having any issues with your business energy supplier or any aspect of your switch, our energy experts might be able to help, so it’s worth giving us a call for some guidance. 

If your supplier does block your switch, and you feel the reason is not legal, then you should seek to raise the issue with the Energy Ombudsman. The Energy Ombudsman will review the reasons given by your current supplier for blocking the switch, and rule whether they are deemed legal or not before declaring a ruling for all parties.

You can contact the energy ombudsman in the following ways:

Phone - 0330 440 1624

Email - enquiries@os-energy.org

Twitter - @OmbudServices

Website - https://www.energyombudsman.org/

Post - Energy ombudsman, PO Box 966, Warrington, WA4 9DF

Remember, if you're not satisfied with the level of service that you receive from your supplier, then you should look to compare rates and switch as soon as possible.

What is faster switching?

The rules on switching energy are changing. As part of an Ofgem project called 'Faster Switching', the time it takes to switch energy suppliers will be cut from 18 days to just five. 

Faster Switching is an Ofgem initiative designed to make switching energy suppliers simpler and more cost-effective for homes and businesses. Switching energy suppliers should now take 5 working days, and the rules apply to both domestic and business customers.

• Domestic switches - The time the switch takes will depend on whether you switch within your 14-day cooling-off period. If so, your switch will go through within five working days, but you'll still have time to cancel. If this is the case, you'll need to pay your supplier for the energy they supplied before you cancelled. Otherwise, your switch will take place within five days from when your cooling-off period ends.
• Commercial energy switches - With no cooling-off period on business contracts, the switch should take five working days from start to finish. If you choose a date for your switch outside of these five days (say your current deal doesn't end for a few months), your new provider will start supplying energy on your preferred date.

What if you’ve been switched to an energy tariff you didn't agree to?

Unlike domestic energy deals, commercial gas and electricity contracts don’t offer a cooling-off period - once you enter into a contract, you’re bound by its terms for the full duration outlined in the T&Cs. 

But if you’ve been put onto a new energy contract that you didn’t agree to, it is possible to break the terms of the contract early and transfer back to your old supplier.

If you think that your contract has been switched without your consent, then you should write to the new supplier as soon as possible and let them know your concerns. It’s important to keep written records of all correspondence over this matter - including dates – in case they are needed for evidence.

It’s also a good idea to write to your old supplier and let them know what the situation is. If the switch was made in error, your previous supplier may be able to support your case.

In the event that you have been switched without your consent, the standard procedure is to revert you back to your old supplier on a deemed rate contract. If you have inadvertently switched the wrong meter out of error, then you can be transferred back to your previous meter – provided you have a contract in place with your current supplier, otherwise your supplier may be unable to apply for the meter again.

If this is the case, then you will be reverted back to your old supplier on a deemed rate contract. If you are switched back to your old supplier but haven’t agreed on a formal contract with them, then you should look to switch to a better deal with better rates.

If your current supplier doesn’t acknowledge your initial correspondence within 14 days then you should escalate the issue, in writing, to your supplier’s CEO. If you get no response after 14 days, you can escalate the issue to the Energy Ombudsman who will indecently investigate the issue and make a ruling.

It’s important to be aware that failing to organise a new contract when your current one expires can mean you're transferred onto a new contract, without formally agreeing to it. Fortunately, this is becoming less common, with many suppliers now choosing instead to transfer businesses onto a deemed rate 30-day rolling contract, which means you’re free to switch away with only 30 days’ notice.

Find a new supplier with Bionic

To start a business energy comparison and switch to one of Bionic’s trusted panel of suppliers, just give us your postcode and our tech-enabled experts will use smart data to find an energy deal that suits the unique needs of your business.

We’ll then show you the deals on offer, you just then need to let us know which one you prefer and we’ll take care of the rest - letting your old and new suppliers about the switch to make sure the whole thing runs smoothly, on time and with no disruption.

We’ll even keep an eye on your contract's end dates to make sure you’re never rolled on to your supplier’s more expensive standard rates. To become a Bionic business, enter your postcode to start a quote online or give us a call on 0800 970 0077.