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Business energy is different. No price cap & no cooling off
Compare, switch & renew business energy to beat price volatility
Bionic is the comparison site for your small business
By clicking 'Compare Today's Business Energy Prices' you agree for us to search your current energy supplier and usage through industry held data. Enter manually.
We compare a vetted panel of trusted UK business energy suppliers
There are several reasons people switch. Saving money is usually high on most people's list of priorities, and 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:
Start a business energy comparison with just your postcode. We use secure smart data to find the details we need to run your quote.
Once we know more about the needs of your business, we'll compare quotes and exclusive deals from our panel of trusted UK suppliers.
One of our experts will explain the quotes on screen and answer any questions. You choose the best deal and weâll handle the rest.
If you decide to switch, weâll be paid a commission by the new supplier that is included in the prices we quote.
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.
Business energy prices are calculated with many âmoving partsâ, like standing charges, unit rates, and other fees. Weâll help you look behind the headline figures to see which deals will result in savings for your business.
Why accept the first price youâre given? As the UKâs 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 businessâs needs.
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.
Bionicâs Digital Renewal service makes everything much quicker and easier when itâs time to sort your next energy contract. Weâll proactively do your next comparison for you, and share it by email. You then choose the deal you want online, and weâll take care of everything else for you.
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.
Or speak to one of our team now on 0800 860 6833
We compare quotes from a panel of suppliers to find a deal that works for your business. If youâd prefer to switch to any specific suppliers on the list, let us know.
British Gas | BG Lite | British Gas Plus |
Crown Gas & Power | EDF Energy | Opus Energy |
ScottishPower | Smartest Energy | SSE |
TotalEnergies | Valda Energy | YĂŒ Energy |
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:
Corona | Engie | Eon |
Haven | Hudson | Npower |
Orsted | Smartest | Squeaky |
To find out more, check out our guide to large and industrial business energy.
When you compare business energy rates, it's unlikely that the rates you're quoted will be cheaper than the rates you're currently paying. This is because inflation means prices tend to go up over time. If you're renewing after a long-term fixed deal, rates may have risen considerably since you last took out a new contract.
And even though energy prices have been coming down since they spiked in 2022, and the market has become less volatile, rates are still higher than at any point since about September 2021.
At Bionic, we aim to find the best possible rates for your next energy contract compared to what you would be facing elsewhere or your current supplierâs out-of-contract rates. Unless you signed a contract when prices were at their highest, itâs unlikely that youâll be able to get rates lower than those youâre currently paying.
Our experts will support you with the switch, but it always helps to be armed with a bit of knowledge before you run a business energy comparison. When looking for the best business energy rates, itâs worth knowing what rates similar-sized businesses are paying.
To find out what the average business gas and business electricity prices per kWh are in August 2024, check out the table below:
Business size | Electricity | Gas |
Micro Business | 25.6p per kWh | 8.0p per kWh |
Small Business | 25.5p per kWh | 7.3p per kWh |
Medium Business | 26.9p per kWh | 7.1p per kWh |
Large Business | 25.0p per kWh | 7.2p per kWh |
Note: Prices are correct as of October 2024. Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The prices youâre quoted may be different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges on contracts sold by Bionic from October 1 to October 8, 2024.
Supplier | Gas unit rate (kWh) | Gas standing charge (daily) | Electricity unit rate (kWh) | Electricity standing charge (daily) |
British Gas | 7.6p | 104.2p | 25.9p | 51.5p |
BG Lite | 7.3p | 79.3p | 25.6p | 54.2p |
EDF Energy | 7.5p | 41.9p | 26.0p | 58.0p |
EON Next | 8.0p | 35.5p | 27.4p | 39.9p |
ScottishPower | 6.6p | 35.1p | 24.6p | 77.3p |
Valda Energy | 6.9p | 41.7p | 24.1p | 64.7p |
Yu Energy | 7.0p | 30.5p | 24.5p | 69.2p |
Note: Prices are correct as of October 2024. Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The prices youâre quoted may be different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges on contracts sold by Bionic from October 1 to October 8, 2024.
To find out what unit rates and standing charges your business should be paying, head over to our business gas page for up-to-date prices and rates.
To find out what unit rates and standing charges your business should be paying, head over to our business electricity page for up-to-date prices and rates.
The average amount of energy a business uses will depend upon the size of the business, along with how and why it uses energy.
Energy usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and to give you an idea of how much energy a business like yours should be using, below shows general usage for small business and medium businesses.
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:
Business size | Estimated annual gas bill | Estimated annual electricity bill |
Micro Business | ÂŁ923 (based on annual usage of 10,000kWh) | ÂŁ2,758 (based on annual usage of 10,000kWh) |
Small Business | ÂŁ1,807 (based on annual usage of 22,500kWh) | ÂŁ5,924 (based on annual usage of 22,500kWh) |
Medium Business | ÂŁ3,546 (based on annual usage of 47,500kWh) | ÂŁ12,942 (based on annual usage of 47,500kWh) |
Large Business | ÂŁ4,885 (based on annual usage of 65,000kWh) | ÂŁ13,914 (based on annual usage of 55,000kWh) |
To learn more about business energy bills, check out our guide to understanding business energy bills.
Note: Prices are correct as of October 2024. Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The prices youâre quoted may be different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges on contracts sold by Bionic from October 1 to October 8, 2024.
Since 2021, the government has had several schemes to help businesses struggling with high energy bills. The latest scheme, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme ended on March 31, 2024. Since energy prices have come down since the spike we saw in 2022, no further government support has been announced.
Remember, there is no price cap like there is for home energy, which means prices can be volatile. Even though rates are lower than the spike we saw in 2022, they are still much higher than pre-pandemic levels - and although we canât predict the market, historically rates tend to rise annually.
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.
When comparing new business energy deals, there are four main types of tariffs to choose from:
Each is designed to meet the different needs of business energy users. To find out more, go to our guide on business energy tariffs.
It might feel like energy prices are always rising, but they actually fluctuate, which can make the timing of your switch all the more important. There are a number of reasons why prices go up and down:
There are a number of ways that business energy contracts differ from domestic energy dealsâ, including:
The rules are slightly different if you work or run your business from home or if you're classed as a micro business. To find out more, check out our guide micro business energy.
To help you understand more about switching business energy, here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Opus Energy hasnât gone bust, but it will cease trading from September this year when EDF Energy will take over its current non-domestic energy contracts.
For more information, check out the section âHas Opus Energy gone bustâ in our guide explaining what you should do if your business energy supplier goes bust or ceases trading.
If youâre on a fixed Opus tariff, EDF has confirmed your prices, terms and conditions will stay the same for the duration of your contract.
If youâre on a variable tariff, this will be matched to the closest EDF equivalent.
If youâre affected, give Bionic a call to discuss your options.
No, there is no price cap on business energy rates, it only applies to domestic rates. Business energy and household energy are different, this has largely to do with how energy is bought and sold, and the way contracts are drawn up.
For domestic customers, the price cap is reviewed every three months. Although this doesn't directly affect non-domestic rates, it's worth keeping an eye on it to see whether energy prices are expected to go up. If the price cap review says the level of the cap will rise, it's probably a good idea to review your existing business energy contract and compare rates.
Business energy prices are always changing. The only way to make sure youâre 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.
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 isnât the only thing you should consider though â you need to make you choose a deal that best suits your business needs.
Although business energy bills are often more expensive than domestic energy bills, there are several reasons why this might be. Businesses often use more energy and don't benefit from dual fuel discounts.
A number of costs go into the total amount you pay for each month. To work out whether business energy tariffs are cheaper than household ones, it's worth looking at those costs that are standard on both types of bills:
Your switching window is the earliest point at which you can compare prices and arrange a new deal, and itâs the responsibility of your supplier to let you know when this window opens. As standard, this will be 90 days before the end date of your contract, but timescales can differ so always check your contract. And if you run a microbusiness, bear in mind that the rules around switching are different to those of other SMEs.
However long your switching window, your supplier must provide you with written confirmation of it and also explain their automatic renewal policy and the terms of their deemed contracts.
When you compare business energy prices and switch with any broker, comparison site or third-party intermediary (TPI), youâll 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 youâve given us permission to handle the switch with both your old and new suppliers. But we canât agree to a contract on your behalf until youâve signed the LOA. This means you stay in complete control of the switch.
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.
Weâll take care of the switch for you, and even look after your renewals to make sure you never overpay for energy again.
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.
If you're in debt with your current supplier, they'll object to your switch until the debt is cleared.
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 theyâll use the same pipes and cables as your old supplier.
If youâre moving into a new business premises, your energy contract will either be transferred to the new property, or it will be cancelled. If itâs cancelled, youâll be on an expensive âdeemed ratesâ contract with that propertyâs 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.
Yes, you can still switch if you're a large or industrial business. If you use a large amount of energy or have a half-hourly meter, energy suppliers will categorise you 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.
If you work from home, even as a sole trader, you may be eligible for a business energy deal. While you donât 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, youâll need to prove that you work from home and that more than half of the energy you use there is for business purposes, this applies if you are a sole trader or run a micro business. Find out more about energy contracts if you work from home in our guide.
Yes, British small businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a big part in our customer community. 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.
When your business energy contract ends, you'll automatically be rolled onto your supplierâs more expensive out-of-contract rates - to avoid overpaying, youâll need to do a business energy comparison and switch energy suppliers, or switch to a better deal with your current supplier.
Depending on your supplier, you may be rolled onto a new fixed-term contract â often with slightly higher rates â although this is becoming less common. Alternatively, you might be moved on to a 30-day rolling contract until you formally organise a new one.
Yes. Energy contracts are legally binding, and you don't need to physically sign one - you can agree to a contract over the phone. Thatâs why itâs best to talk through your contract details or see everything in writing before you agree to sign.
If you donât arrange a new fixed energy deal to start when your current contract ends, your existing supplier will automatically renew your contract. The good news is that this means you wonât be left without an energy supplier. The bad news is that youâll be placed on your supplierâs more expensive out-of-contract rates.
You can switch from these contracts at any time. If you find yourself in this position, you should compare quotes and switch to a fixed rate as soon as possible. When signing up for your new contract, you have the option to opt into our automatic renewal scheme.
When you switch with Bionic, our Digital Renewal service means you never need to worry about being hit by an expensive contract gap. Our tech-enabled experts can keep an eye on the date of your renewal window and compare deals on your behalf. If you like the deals weâve chosen, we can switch contracts without you having to lift a finger.
Out-of-contract rates are a default tariff that your supplier uses when:
The only way to avoid paying out-of-contract rates is to sign up to a new energy deal, either with your current supplier or a new one.
The simplest way to get an energy deal that meets the unique demands of your business is to let the tech-powered experts at Bionic do the leg work for you. We work closely with a selected panel of trusted energy suppliers, to make sure you get great rates and outstanding service.
Whichever type of tariff you choose, youâll need to bear in mind that business energy suppliers donât offer dual fuel deals - even if you agree to an energy deal with the same supplier, these will still be two separate energy contracts.
And consider that the rates you pay will depend upon a number of factors, including how much energy you use, where your business is located, and its financial situation - a poor credit score could see you paying higher rates, as your business is seen as a higher risk.
MPAN stands for Meter Point Administration number, and is used by suppliers to identify the electricity supply at your property. Also known as the âSuppy Numberâ or âS Numberâ, this is a 21-digit number that begins with an âSâ 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 âM Numberâ, 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 Bionicâs guide to MPAN and MPRN.
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.
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