How to Find the Cheapest Business Gas Rates Online
Are you dissatisfied with your current business gas provider and want to switch to one that offers cheaper business gas rates? This blog can help you find the most competitive business gas deals on the market. Read on for how to find the information you need online.
1. Look at reviews online
There are plenty of online reviews about pretty much every business gas provider nowadays. You can check each provider’s social media pages, and you can even look for reviews on their own websites, reviews posted on the company’s Google page if they have one, and on a whole range of other independent websites and forums.
It’s worth noting that reviews and testimonials posted on a provider’s own website can be slightly less reliable. They may choose not to post particularly bad reviews, so any faults or downsides to their service may not be as apparent. If there is no way to verify the identity of the reviewer (no links on their profile or name, or anonymous reviewers), take the review with a pinch of salt. Testimonials posted on places on the Internet where the business gas provider has no influence, like Google reviews, on independent forums, and on third-party discussion sites, tend to be more reliable sources of information.
2. Visit websites that compare business gas prices online
Reviews are simply the opinions of existing or past customers, though. This means that they can be biased, depending on how good or how bad their experience was. For this reason, it’s also worth looking at factual, straight-to-the-point comparisons between providers to get an unbiased view of business gas providers and the services they offer.
There are various websites that compare the services offered by different business gas companies operating across the UK. These websites can be a good source of information.
When looking at business gas provider comparisons, there are a number of important parameters to pay attention to. Obviously, the most important is price. But having said that, the price you’ll pay is not determined solely by the declared business gas prices per kWh. Other factors like maintenance fees, standing charges, service fees, termination fees, and other extras can add significantly to the total cost you’ll pay for the business gas provided by each supplier.
Other important points of comparison include minimum contract time, the maximum amount of gas you can use, contract terms, the quality of their business gas, customer service and delivery time.
3. Ask for recommendations from other businesses
If you have acquaintances or contacts in your network that have prior experience dealing with particular business gas companies in the UK, you can ask for their opinions and recommendations. Of course, they may be biased if they’ve received poor service; or they may only ever have used one company and don’t know whether they’ve received a good deal or not. Therefore, treat what they say in a similar way to how you view online reviews. Use their information to form your own opinion, but don’t use it as the sole basis for selecting a particular business gas provider for your business.
4. Seek help from an energy consulting firm
Another resource you can utilise is a good energy consulting firm. Although this service isn’t typically free, their experts can work with your business not only to help you find the best deal for business gas but also to help you look for ways to reduce your electricity and business gas usage. This can result in massive savings further down the line.
Energy consulting firms employ experienced consultants who can advise you on how to reduce your gas usage and also how to ensure your equipment is running as efficiently as possible. They can give you information on how proper maintenance procedures can save you money, as well as helping you find the cheapest gas provider for your business’s own unique circumstances.
Energy consulting firms may also partner with various business gas and electricity providers in the UK. By working with them, you can gain valuable insights into the business gas providers they’re allied with, not only on business gas rates but on other aspects like quality of gas, customer service, and more.
Why Switch Business Gas Suppliers?
Making the switch to a better-priced business gas tariff is the easiest and fastest way to cut costs and save money. What’s more, it won’t affect your daily business operations – your gas supply will not be interrupted.
There are many energy consulting firms online to choose from. But if you are operating in the UK, we recommend you try our services here at Smarter Business. We have a total number of 27 partnered business gas providers that offer services within the UK, so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to finding the best supplier for your unique business circumstances. We have over 40,000 satisfied customers, so we’re sure that you too could benefit from the results we can deliver.
If you’re interested in finding out more, get in touch by calling us on 01444 220060. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] or send any queries via our online contact form, which can be found at https://smarterbusiness.co.uk/contact-us/.
Beginner’s Guide to Business Energy
Here’s how to source a good deal on your business energy prices:
- Get separate gas and electricity contracts.
- Negotiate your business gas rate with your supplier – don’t just accept their standard price.
- Opt for an extended tariff if your provider is offering a decent deal.
- Avoid deemed rate and rollover contracts.
- Check your billing information so you know when your existing contract ends.
- Compare quotes from different providers during the renewal window of your existing contract.
- Use a business energy provider comparison service to collect quotes.
- Research each provider’s reputation and customer service record.
- Give proper notice to your current provider before switching to a new one.
- Take a final meter reading on the changeover day for the old provider to issue the final bill.
Tips for Lowering Natural Gas Use
- You can save a great deal of money on gas bills simply by ensuring your heating systems and cooking appliances (for instance) are properly maintained. This makes them more efficient, thus reducing your energy costs.
- Speak to an expert on how certain low-cost upgrades to equipment and existing systems can improve their operating efficiency and save you money both upfront and over the longer term.
- Consult with manufacturers or energy experts on how you can optimise your energy savings by controlling settings and operating procedures – for example, reducing the temperature on your heating thermostat; never leaving a commercial oven to pre-heat for longer than 15 minutes.
- Ask about improving your premises to ensure heat is retained and heating bills are therefore lowered – by maintaining and upgrading insulation, for instance.
Facts About Natural Gas
- Gas has the cleanest profile of all fossil fuels when exposed to high temperatures.
- It produces water and carbon dioxide during combustion.
- It can be found all over the Earth.
- It is odourless but is mixed with a strong-scented chemical to ensure leaks can be easily detected.
- It is used by millions of people worldwide.
- It is cheaper than electricity, saving users on energy bills annually.
- There’s sufficient gas to meet growing energy needs for the next hundred years.
- It is a key component in plastic production.
- It is often found alongside oil reserves.
Ways to Save Money on Business Utility Bills
- Check your current usage.
- Buy or rent office equipment with low energy-use ratings.
- Turn on the sleep mode or unplug microwaves, TVs, and other equipment when not in use.
- Connect all devices to a single power strip to conveniently turn them off all at once.
- Change the HVAC system filters regularly.
- Keep all vents clear of unnecessary furniture.
- Inspect and repair HVAC systems as often as needed.
- Get HVAC unit maintenance services once a year.
- Install a programmable thermostat for automatic temperature adjustment before and after business operations.
- Install solar panels or other sources that generate green energy and are free of harmful emissions.
If you’re looking for an energy provider that can find you huge savings on business gas prices and attractive contracts at competitive rates, check out our range of innovative services at Smarter Business!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does business gas cost per kWh?
The average business gas prices in the UK per kWh are 2.28p. These rates depend on your location and your energy price plan.
For small businesses, the average rate is 3.82p per kWh, and for medium ones, it’s 2.11p. For large businesses, the average is 1.81p per kWh. Very large companies can expect to pay around 1.63p per kWh.
Are business gas rates cheaper than domestic?
Typically, yes. But corporate gas rates depend on how much gas is used, as well as the size of your business. Most businesses pay a higher rate of VAT rate than domestic customers do. Domestic gas prices are also calculated differently. You can also choose between a fixed or a variable tariff.
Can I choose my natural gas provider?
Yes, you’re free to choose your own provider and switch suppliers if you’re not happy with the service or their business gas cost. Just check the terms of your contract before you switch so you aren’t charged a hefty exit fee; and compare your alternatives diligently to make sure you’re switching to a beneficial deal.
How does business energy work?
Business energy deals tend to be single-fuel only, unlike the deals offered to domestic customers. You can, of course, choose electricity and gas supplies from the same provider, but you will still need separate contracts for each. Working with a reliable energy consultant can help guide you through this process.
Is it cheaper to pay for gas and electricity separately?
Although businesses aren’t typically eligible for dual-fuel deals, this can work to your advantage. Research shows that even when domestic customers are offered a discount to buy both gas and electricity from the same provider, they too could save more if they acquired them separately. The biggest savings for either customer type tend to be when you switch providers regularly.
What is in natural gas?
Gas is a type of petroleum that consists primarily of methane and ethane. This fossil fuel is used to generate electricity for heating, cooking, and running vehicles. It is often recognised as a crude oil’s gas phase, which contains propane and butane and has become an important energy source since the early 70s.