It is widely recognised as a difficult time for businesses large and small, but small and medium sized enterprises in particular continue to struggle as the economic outlook remains bleak amid countless austerity measures.
Every penny quite literally counts for most small and medium sized businesses in 2011 and that’s why keeping an eye on the vitals, such as business electricity and gas bills, is essential to ensuring your business is in the best possible position to weather the economic maelstrom.
A recent report on the business energy blog Energy Advice Line highlighted how energy efficiency can give your business a true competitive edge. It revealed research for The Guardian by Nick Grant that showed business energy costs can account for up to a fifth of a business’s expenditure.
Bearing this in mind, it’s clear that business electricity and gas efficiency can make a lot of difference to your company’s bottom line.
One of the first places you as a small business owner should turn is towards business energy comparison sites, where you can quickly compare business electricity rates online with what you are currently paying. These sites will often provide a free service to help you switch to a better rate (alarm bells should ring if they want to charge for this service – move on swiftly). It is also worth checking to see if the site you are on works with at least six or more on their supplier panel as some might claim to be independent but are really a front for some of the more expensive suppliers.
These sites will also help you in negotiating your new contract and reminding you when it is due for renewal as there can be some severe shocks in store for those that don’t change in time. Businesses have been known to be rolled over into new contracts without even being aware of the impending renewal date by a few loopholes that remain for some utility companies to exploit – and exploit they will.
Also remember to check your current bills and compare the readings, especially if they have been estimated in the past. Make sure you claim any rebates owed.
Longer term, installing smart meters is a great way to measure how much business electricity and business gas you are using, and you can break this down into half-hourly periods to see where the areas to work with your staff on being more energy efficient are.
For free and impartial advice on your business energy rates telephone Energy Advice Line’s freephone service 0800 915 1800 or visit Energy Advice Line for an independent assessment of your situation and the most up to date business electricity and business gas prices from all the big six suppliers.
Contact Details
Energy Advice Line Limited,
2 Post Office Buildings,
Cardigan Road,
Bournemouth,
BH9 1BJ
Phone: 0800 915 1800
