Energy for micro businesses
What is a micro business?
A micro business, also known as a small-scale enterprise, operates with just a few employees. According to Ofgem, a microbusiness is a business that uses less than 100,000 kWh of electricity or 293,000 kWh of gas for non-domestic premises.
Micro businesses are crucial players in today’s dynamic economy. However, managing energy costs efficiently can be challenging for them. In this article, we’ll explore micro business energy contracts, the latest rates, working from home, differences between business and domestic energy, and the benefits of switching suppliers. We’ll also touch on resolving complaints through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme, providing valuable insights to help micro businesses thrive.
Micro business energy contracts
Micro business owners can benefit from recent changes by the energy regulator to switch to better energy deals. When agreeing to a new energy plan, suppliers must provide key terms, contract details, and renewal terms. Renewal reminders should arrive approximately 60 days before the contract end date, including current and new rates.
Recent changes to promote greater transparency
Recent changes in micro business energy contracts have brought greater transparency, eliminated the need for a termination notice, and provided access to advice on consumer rights and the market. However, it is worthwhile noting that, if you are rolled on to an Evergreen tariff, you may still need to give notice of termination.
Latest micro business energy rates
The latest rates for micro business energy vary based on fuel type, annual usage, unit price per kWh, daily standing charge, and annual bill. As a ball park figure, the prices will be around 30p per kWh for electricity and 9.5p per kWh for gas.
Working from Home and Energy
Switching to a business energy deal can cover higher energy usage from home-based operations.
Qualifying for a Business Energy Deal at Home
To qualify for a business energy deal at home, you simply need to prove that a significant portion of energy use is for business purposes.
Understanding Business vs. Domestic Energy
Differences between business and domestic energy include rates, charges, contract lengths, fuel flexibility, and the absence of a price cap on business energy. Please see our business energy vs domestic energy page for more information.
The benefits of switching suppliers
Switching energy suppliers presents micro businesses with an opportunity to lower costs, access better customer service, and embrace renewable energy solutions. The flexibility in choosing tariffs and the assistance of experts, such as those at Joe Compare, make the switch a practical and beneficial choice for micro businesses seeking to optimise their energy consumption and enhance their overall operations.
Empty business premises
If business premises are empty, there may still be billing, especially with a daily standing charge.
Resolving complaints
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
The ADR scheme allows micro businesses to resolve complaints with brokers or intermediaries easily, and it’s free of charge. Please see our ADR page for more information.
Conclusion
Micro businesses play a vital role in the economy, and addressing their energy needs is essential. Recent changes in energy regulations offer more transparency and flexibility, empowering micro business owners to make informed decisions. By understanding energy differences and exploring better deals, these businesses can optimize their energy usage and reduce costs. Leveraging tech-enabled experts for switching suppliers simplifies the process, and ADR provides a safety net for complaint resolution. Empowering micro businesses with knowledge and support is key to their sustainable success.