Posts Tagged ‘Business electricity price comparison’

Business electricity and business gas tariffs start to fall

12 January 2012

THE UK’s leading business energy price comparison and switching service for business has urged firms to be cautious amid reports of business electricity prices and business gas tariffs  falling in 2012.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, said despite reports that energy prices could be slashed as part of a supplier price war,  business energy users should remain vigilant in a volatile energy market.

Recent reports have suggested that due to the mild winter, energy companies have abundant supplies of gas and therefore could afford to cut retail energy prices by as much as 10%.

Some smaller suppliers have already announced price cuts and energy regulator Ofgem has warned larger firms like British Gas that it expects them to pass on any such savings.

Business energy users, as well as domestic customers, would be expected to benefit from lower business gas and business electricity rates if commercial gas suppliers passed the savings on.

But Mr Morgan said firms should not assume that business energy suppliers would automatically lower commercial electricity prices or gas tariffs. He said it was still essential to compare business electricity and gas prices to get the best available deals on the market.

“Energy prices are still extremely volatile and firms should not assume their business energy suppliers will pass these savings on to them,” Mr Morgan said.

“In any event, rises and falls in energy prices take some time to flow through to business energy customers as most firms are on fixed-term contracts – prices fluctuations only kick in once these contracts come up for renewal.

“In a competitive market like this, where business electricity and business gas suppliers are fighting for market share, it’s actually more important than ever to compare commercial electricity and gas prices. It’s the only way to find the cheapest deals.”

Last week, Ovo energy became the second small energy company to drop tariffs for its 70,000 customers. British Gas chiefs are reported to be considering a price cut before its parent company Centrica announces its profit results this week.

The Energy Advice Line is a business electricity price comparison service that enables firms to compare the market for the best possible commercial energy deals at the touch of a button. The service has a team of business experts who can give advice about business energy contracts and how to avoid expensive contract rollovers.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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Regulator threatens crackdown on commercial energy suppliers

9 January 2012

Energy regulator Ofgem has warned of a crackdown on the major energy suppliers amid accusations of ‘predatory pricing’ tactics.

In a move which could impact on business electricity prices and gas tariffs, Ofgem has confirmed it is investigating complaints from small energy companies that significant energy discount deals being offered by their larger rivals could be in breach of competition laws.

The investigation comes amid reports of a price war between energy suppliers and the possibility of energy prices falling by as much as 10% due to a fall in wholesale energy prices. Firms have been warned by industry experts to remain vigilant about business electricity prices and gas tariffs as energy prices remain volatile.

British Gas is reported to be considering cutting gas prices by up to 10% over the next few months, following on the heels of at least two smaller energy suppliers.

Any lowering of wholesale prices by energy suppliers could be reflected in lower commercial electricity prices and gas tariffs. However, industry bodies including the Energy Advice Line have warned firms to be cautious as any price fluctuations would not be felt immediately by businesses on fixed-term contracts.

First Utility is among the smaller energy companies that have complained to Ofgem about the pricing strategies of the major suppliers who advertise significant online discounts.

‘The only way they can make these astonishing offers is by making a loss. This is predatory pricing and we are too small to compete. It’s a way of driving us out of business,’ according to Darren Braham, First Utility’s chief financial officer.

A spokesman for Ofgem said: ‘We have not yet found breaches of competition rules, but we are considering very carefully whether some of the energy companies are abiding by the strict rules governing the timing of short-term online deals.’

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, the UK’s leading price comparison and switching service for business energy, said the pricing tactics of the major commercial energy suppliers were a further reason why firms should use a fully independent price comparison and switching service.

“Deals that may appear on the service to offer great value for money may not actually deliver lower business electricity prices or reduced gas tariffs in the long run, “Mr Morgan said.

“Using a reputable, independent business electricity price comparison service like ours enables any organization to get expert advice, free of charge, about the cheapest business energy deals out there.

“Deals that sound good are not always what they seem.”

The Energy Advice Line is a consumer champion and business electricity price comparison service tailored exclusively to businesses.

The service is impartial and not linked to a single supplier. Businesses are offered a selection of quotes from a panel of business electricity and gas suppliers, as well as comprehensive advice on bills, contracts and switching.

For further information about the Energy Advice Line, and to receive a free quote, visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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UK retail sales suffer worst fall on record, BRC says

12 April 2011

On the BBC this morning it was reported that The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has recorded its worst fall in sales since records began in 1996, a further sign of difficult times on the High Street.

Footwear was the only growth sector, as food and drink, clothing, homeware, electrical, and others all fell.

Read full story here.

So in all corners of the British commercial marketplace we can’t afford to rest on our laurels, money is still tight and as far as British business is concerned the economy is still fragile and there remains a need to keep an eye on all costs especially if the takings are suffering at the tills.

Many think that watching the overheads is just for manufacturing but running a retail operation is just as much a drain on utility resources as any other business whether it’s a shop or large superstore they all burn electricity at an alarming rate.

So whether your a large or small retail operation take advantage of the web and do some research and check how much you could save on your business electricity and business gas bills by visiting a site like www.energyadviceline.org.uk. Here you can enter your current details, tariffs etc and compare business electricity prices online for free and at the click of a mouse obtain quotes covering a range of options and suppliers.

If you are satisfied that this presents a real saving, and most do, then EAL has a team of experts who are happy to take you through the switch process as a part of their service. Not only will they help you switch but once you have switched they will monitor your contract for you to ensure that when renewal is due they will automatically re-check all the options to make sure you obtain the best deal every contract renewal. so for business electricity and business gas renewals this is a win win situation for all businesses vists Energy Advice Line now or call them for free on 0800 915 1800.

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Soaring oil prices ‘could put the brakes on UK’s manufacturing boom’

7 April 2011

As reported in The Guardian on Tuesday by  Phillip Inman and Alex HawkesWith, unrest in Yemen and Libya pushing up price of crude, British firms expect their turnover and profit to slow.

Later in the articles it was mentioned that a survey of UK manufacturers found that rising costs, especially oil, and a deterioration in cashflows hampered growth in the first three months of the year, with most firms reporting they expected turnover and profit growth to slow.

The British Chambers of Commerce, which surveyed 6,000 companies, described its findings as “worrying” and warned that the results “highlight the fragility of the recovery”. It said the outlook for manufacturers was becoming increasingly difficult and that confidence had fallen to levels last seen in the depths of the recession.

Read the full story here

This again underlines the need for British business to be on constant watch – especially where their costs are concerned as the consequences for the economy, jobs and business survival do not bear thinking about – but we cannot just ignore the factors that govern business survival. For many businesses it is about basic housekeeping and managing those variable overheads as best as one can. What should be a key focus for all businesses is a review of their utility bills in particular their business electricity and gas as these are renewable contracts and ones that can be switched should you find better rates. This is often the problem as tracking down what is really a good deal is often fraught with a myriad of tariffs ad terms that it becomes too much of a chore to investigate – and so the utility companies win again.

There is an alternative and the internet has helped some specialist advice companies like the Energy Advice Line publicise what is really available to business and have provided the means for companies to compare their current rates with what is available. This service is free and independent enabling businesses to opt out a potentially costly renewal and a punitive long term contract.

So if you are looking to continue your survival in the UK today a visit to business energy price comparison site is a must.

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Npower raises business concerns over electricity market reform

11 March 2011

Companies that use large amounts of energy are concerned about the impact of the government’s Electricity Market Reform (EMR) will have on their businesses, according to research published by “big six” energy company Npower.

In research released on Thursday 10 March to mark the end of the consultation process into the EMR proposals, Npower said companies were concerned about the cost to business and the EMR could have on the UK’s competitiveness in the global business market place.

Over half of businesses polled (55 per cent) fear the proposals will lead to increased energy bills and 47 per cent believe they will be complex and unwieldy for business.

Read more here

With these concerns businesses of all sizes need to be even more vigilant about their business energy use and ensure that they are on the best possible tariffs by checking them via one of the business energy price comparison sites as operated by the Energy Advice Line. Here businesses can check their current rate against other tariffs available on the open market but without all the hassle of contacting each company and enduring endless sales calls. Here a few mouse clicks will provide you with the best available rates for your business electricity that will also provide a free quotation and all the facilities to switch, aided by a friendly EAL adviser online or over the phone. To see how much you could save visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk or call them on 0800 915 1800

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Electricty giant halves £25k bill after Publican intervenes

3 March 2011

This is an excerpt from an original article first published 24 February, 2011 By Matt Eley in The Publican

E.ON admits to second billing error, but claims it is just a coincidence

A utilities giant has shaved £12,000 off a licensee’s electricity bill after The Publican intervened on his behalf.

Neil Crampton, who runs the Bank House Inn, in Pudsey has been in a dispute with E.ON for four months after receiving a bill for a staggering £25,000.

The company initially refused to amend the bill until The Publican raised the issue.

Crampton got in touch after reading a similar tale in last week’s edition of The Publican.

Licensee Rob Wilson of the Sportsman in Arundel, West Sussex, was billed for £20,000 by the same company in a quarterly statement. He was expecting to pay around £800.

E.ON said the jump was due to it previously reading just five dials on his meter when it should have been looking at six.

The company had made the same mistake with Crampton’s bill.

He said: “This has been going on for some time and if I had realised the amount I was supposed to have been paying I could have taken measures to cut the bill”.

“By my own calculations I could have saved at least £8,500 with fairly straightforward steps and being more vigilant”.

But he added that he was still in discussions about paying the bill back, with E.ON wanting it paid back in just two years.

And Crampton warned other licensees to make sure they are not paying over the odds.

(Excerpt ends)

All to often we hear of these types of stories affecting the Public House Trade, and as mentioned here the publican in question could have done something about it if he had known the amount he was supposed to be paying.

It is often the case that a bit of prudence and some initial investigation could save £000’s. In the first instance for any business, not just Public Houses the day you take over a premises – check your meters and the arrangements with suppliers. What tariff are you on? Is the contract re-negotiable? Is everything up to date?

If in any doubt use the services of an independent price comparison website for business electricity and business gas. Some enable you to check, for free, online the rates you could be paying dependent of the contract you are possibly tied into or able to switch from. If you need advice about your contract then again a few have free phone numbers that allow you to seek advice early on about your particular situation and to check the facts.

Finally if you have been committed to a contract and there is no way out until renewal either write yourself a big note to check suppliers rates 3 months before renewal and switch as soon as is possible or use the independent to set up a reminder for you.

If you are locked in then don’t believe the suppliers readings, take your own and telephone them in and check when they will supply an updated bill.

Hopefully this way you can avoid some of the unpleasant experiences that happened with the subject of the article which this excerpt comes from.

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Rising business energy costs and double-dip recession fears for SMEs

2 July 2010

Business energy consumers should expect sharp increases in business gas and electricity prices in coming months, according to a stark warning in The Daily Telegraph.

Research from energy analysts ICIS Heren, wholesale gas prices have risen sharply, and come this winter these price rises are likely to be passed on to consumers.

While business energy customers, who are on fixed deals, may be protected from price rises initially, when the time comes to renew business electricity and gas contracts, a nasty surprise could be waiting.

These increases come at a time when economic forecasters are warning the global economy may be heading for a double-dip recession.

Just as SMEs are starting to see some signs of recovery, global bond markets report a sharp slowdown in growth across the world. The prospect of deflation is becoming ever more realistic.

Keeping a close eye on overheads such as business gas and electricity has never been so important.

Energy Advice Line can keep a note of your contract renewal date so that you don’t risk missing out on getting the best deal by shopping around.

EAL can also advise you on switching business energy suppliers, and help you find the best prices.

We’d like to know your thoughts on the state of the economy and how it’s affecting your business. Are you concerned by the prospect of increased business energy prices? Leave a comment and let us know…

You can read the full story about the end of cheap deals in The Daily Telegraph.

And the full story about fears of a double-dip recession here.

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Small firms tricked into switching electricity supplier

8 June 2010

Small businesses that relocate and start-ups are being warned of dirty tricks from unscrupulous business electricity agents.

According to a recent report in the Daily Mail, many businesses are being targeted by third party agencies working for a specific business electricity or gas supplier claiming to offer impartial price comparison and independent advice. They make contact soon after businesses have moved into new premises and the businesses later discover they have been hoodwinked into switching business electricity supplier on uncompetitive prices.

Such aggressive and misleading tactics are to be frowned upon and steps should be taken against any companies found to be using such tricks as it not only misleads business electricity customers, but also tars the whole business energy industry.

You can read the full Daily Mail story here.

Independent advice on business electricity prices is a valuable service for many small and medium sized businesses when they are starting out or relocating.

Moving business premises can be a very stressful experience and business energy prices may be low down your list of priorities.

However, it is important to bear in mind that the first offer you receive from utility companies is highly unlikely to be the best deal. Businesses can end up paying 20-30% more for their gas and electricity than they should be.

“Agencies and suppliers can buy lists of relocating businesses and will then telephone to offer a new deal,” said Julian Morgan of Energy Advice Line. “This will not be the best deal.”

Using an independent and impartial business energy price comparison service such as Energy Advice Line can help you secure a better deal and thus bring down your overheads, making a real difference to your business.

With Energy Advice Line, you can get a free, impartial and no obligation quote on business energy prices in just a matter of minutes.

You can fill in all the details yourself online and see the best prices available; transparency is at the heart of Energy Advice Line’s services, and all prices are available online.

Of course, if you would rather talk to someone in person, EAL’s team are ready to talk you through the whole business energy switching process – again with no obligation and complete transparency.

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Business energy tips – beware of accepting the first offer when changing tenancy

7 May 2010
Beware of energy suppliers' first offers when you move business premises.

Beware of energy suppliers' first offers when you move business premises.

When businesses move premises, they can end up paying between 20 and 30% more for their business energy than they should be. This shock statistic is even more concerning when you bear in mind that about 30% of businesses change their tenancy every year.

Relocating your business premises is a stressful experience and there is a lot to remember, which may be why business energy price comparison is low down the list for many companies and often gets forgotten.

However, Julian Morgan from Energy Advice Line is keen to stress the importance of being aware that by accepting the first offer made by your business energy supplier, you could end up paying over the odds for your business gas and electricity.

“When your business moves premises, it’s very important that you shouldn’t accept the first offer made to you by utility companies,” he said. “Agencies and suppliers can buy lists of relocating businesses and will phone to offer a new deal – this won’t be the best deal.”

Checking business energy comparison services such as Energy Advice Line is vital. It takes just five minutes online or on the telephone and can make a huge difference to your business’s overheads.

“On average, the first offer you will receive will be 20 to 30 per cent higher than the price that Energy Advice Line can negotiate for your business,” Julian Morgan continued. “I cannot emphasise enough, never accept that first offer. A five minute search on Google, for example, on ‘business electricity price comparison’ can save you a lot of money, and is incredibly important to remember.”

Get a free, impartial business energy quote for your business right now by visiting the Energy Advice Line website.

Picture credit – CCA: Keys by Bohman

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The ‘write’ stuff for saving money on business electricity

30 April 2010

We were pleased to receive more positive feedback from one of the customers that we have helped to save money on business electricity costs. Like many of our customers, Flexpress Ltd, a printing company based in Leicester, contacted Energy Advice Line because they thought too much for their commercial electricity. Read on to learn their story…

Business name: Flexpress Ltd

Sector: Printing

Flexpress Ltd is a print company based in Leicester. Providing printing services for a range of products from vinyl banners to business cards, greetings cards to posters, along with design and copying services, Flexpress are a small business with a dedicated team of 10 staff. Committed to providing a fast, reliable and value for money service, for Flexpress keeping commercial energy costs down is very important.

The company has been in business for 20 years, during which time business electricity costs have steadily increased. So when their business electricity contract came up for renewal, Flexpress knew something had to be done.

“I found out about Energy Advice Line by searching online,” says Flexpress’s Steve Wenlock. His reason for choosing EAL was simple: “I was looking for better prices.”

Energy Advice Line’s teams are in constant contact with the top six business energy suppliers, continuously updating prices. Dedicated exclusively to the needs of small and medium sized businesses such as Flexpress, EAL operates an entirely free and transparent business electricity and business gas switching service.

There are no scary call centres, no confusing industry buzz words and no pressure is exerted upon you when you make your decision. Impartiality and choice are key to Energy Advice Line’s service.

“I found the switch process very easy, very friendly and very professional under Energy Advice Line,” quips Steve Wenlock.

And the results? They speak for themselves:

“Our electricity bill has been virtually halved,” says Steve. “That’s a saving of approximately £3,000 per year.”

Steve and the FlexPress team are very satisfied with the service that they’ve received from Energy Advice Line, and will soon be commercial gas customers too.

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