Guide to finding the best commercial gas prices
1. About Commercial Gas
Prices
Commercial gas
prices for small businesses consist of a fixed unit rate, ranging
from around 2p to 6p per 'kilowatt hour' (kWh) and usually a
standing charge (from 5p to £1 per day). Commercial gas prices are
also subject to two types of tax, firstly the Climate Change Levy
(CCL) - which has been revised several times since it was
introduced in 2001 but for commercial gas currently stands at
0.164p/kWh - and secondly via VAT.
2. Which Supplier
If, for example, you are new to a property and don't know who your
current supplier is, Make It Cheaper can usually find out for you
while you are on the phone (0800 970 0077) and give you a business gas and electricity price comparison comparison at the
same time. Alternatively you can try Exoserve (0870 608 1524) which
is jointly owned by the five major gas distribution networks
(National Grid Transco, Northern Gas Networks, Scotland Gas
Networks, Southern Gas Networks and Wales & West
Utilities).
3. Your MPR
You will also need to know your 10 digit meter point reference
number (MPR) which is printed on a bill or, again, is available by
calling Make it Cheaper. This can unlock information about your
consumption, your supply area and what the cheapest business gas
prices are available to you at the time of your call.
4. Contract End Date
Before you can switch to the cheapest commercial gas prices, you
will need to serve notice on any outstanding contract you have in
place. Unless you are out-of-contract (eg new to property) you'll
need to do this in writing well ahead of your contract end
date. Either call your supplier and ask when this date falls
or use the free Make It Cheaper contract checking service which will
establish your current contract business gas and business
electricity positions on your behalf.
5. Renewal Window
Once you have your contract end date, you will be able to work out
when your renewal window opens so that you give the right amount of
notice. Be warned though, this can be as much as 120 days before
your contract is due to expire. Our Window Checker - or one of our
phone-based advisors can help - plus provide you with a template
notice letter to send to your supplier.
6. Get Quotes
There are 11,000 different business gas and electricity tariffs
out there - with the difference between the cheapest and most
expensive commercial gas prices being threefold - so it makes sense
to get some help. Armed with the right information, Make It Cheaper
can quote over the phone (always confirmed by email) with the best
business gas prices from across the whole business energy
market.
7. Your AQ
One important variable to determine the best business gas prices
for you is your Annual Quantity, or AQ. This is an estimate of
future consumption of commercial gas at your property, based on
historical consumption and is calculated by the distribution
network, National Grid Transco. Again, we can get this figure for
you while you are on the phone to us.
8. Length of Contract
As well as AQ, other variables that determine which commercial gas
prices each business is eligible for include: geographic area,
payment method, company credit score and the length of contract you
choose from one, two or three years.
9. Verbal Contract
If you would like to accept any of our business gas or electricity
quotes, this can be done with your Make It Cheaper advisor in a
five minute verbal contract over the phone, with all the paperwork
then taken care of on your behalf to see the switch is carried out
smoothly. Job done!
10. Staying Savvy
Well, not quite. Staying on the best rates relies on being in
position to switch again at the end of a contract - ie having
served notice. We will get back in touch during your renewal window
to advise on dates and the best available business gas prices going
forward. None of this costs you a penny, not even the phone call
and our advisors are at your service Monday to Fridays 8.30am to
6pm.