Compare
How business electricity rates actually work
A business electricity bill has three moving parts. The unit rate, in pence per kWh. The standing charge, a daily fixed cost per meter point. And pass-through costs that cover the network and the climate change levy. Suppliers set the first two. The third moves every year regardless of your contract.
Unit rates are where most of the variation sits. Same business, same usage, two suppliers quoting on the same day, you can see four or five pence difference per kWh. For a small office using around 30,000 kWh a year, that’s not a small number on the quarterly bill.
Standing charges are smaller in isolation, but they add up if you have multiple sites. They’re priced per meter point, so a fifty-site business pays fifty standing charges every day, whether each site uses much or not. Multi-site comparison usually shows up here.
When it’s worth switching
Most business electricity contracts run twelve, twenty-four, or thirty-six months. The market doesn’t sit still during that period. Wholesale prices move. Suppliers who looked cheapest at signing often aren’t the cheapest by the time the next renewal comes around.
The renewal window matters more than most people realise. Most suppliers let you negotiate four to six months before your current contract ends. Leave it later and you slip onto a deemed rate, which is what suppliers charge when there’s no contract in place. Deemed rates are higher than contracted rates, sometimes meaningfully so.
There’s also a case for checking mid-contract. You probably can’t switch without an exit fee, but knowing what the market looks like helps when the renewal conversation does come around. We can run that comparison without committing you to anything.
What we do
You submit your postcode. We use your meter details to ask every supplier on our panel for a quote. They each come back with their best unit rate, standing charge, and contract terms.
We pull that together and send it to you. Lowest pence per kWh isn’t always the best contract. The standing charge, the term length, and any exit fees all matter. We explain what the differences mean in practice, not just on paper.
If you want to move, we handle the supplier-to-supplier paperwork. Your supply doesn’t get interrupted. It’s an administrative switch, not a physical one. Most switches complete in four to six weeks.
If you don’t want to move, that’s fine. You’ve got a comparison you can use for the next renewal conversation, whether with us or your existing supplier. No upfront fee either way. We’re paid by whichever supplier you choose, on the same commission rate across the panel, so we’re not steered toward any one of them.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the switching process take?
About four to six weeks from signed paperwork to the actual switchover date. Your electricity supply doesn’t drop out. The change happens on the back-end between suppliers, not on the wire.
What’s the difference between a fixed and a variable contract?
A fixed contract locks the unit rate for the term. A variable contract moves with the wholesale market, so you pay less when prices drop and more when they rise. Most businesses prefer fixed because it makes budgeting easier. Variable can work if you’re confident the market is heading down.
What’s a deemed rate and how do I know if I’m on one?
It’s the rate your supplier applies when you’ve no contract in place. Usually after a previous contract has expired without renewal, or when you’ve moved into a new property. Check your most recent bill, if it doesn’t reference a specific contract end date, you’re likely on a deemed rate.
Do I need to give my MPAN number when I get a quote?
It’s helpful but not essential. The MPAN is the long supply number on your bill. If you don’t have it to hand, we can find it from your address and a recent invoice.
Do you really not charge me anything?
Correct. The supplier you choose pays us a commission, the same rate across our whole panel. There’s no advantage for us in pointing you toward one supplier over another. We’ve structured it that way deliberately.
See what your business electricity could cost on a new contract
Submit your postcode and we’ll come back with quotes from our supplier panel. Takes a few minutes. No obligation either way.