Comparing Gas Prices

GARYPACESHEET

I've been asked by my MD to obtain some prices from various places in order to work out which is the best way forward for us..We are a commercial property, not a residential property.

How do I know that the prices I'm obtaining aren't specifically for residential customers?

I have put our annual usage into the comparison tool, so I would have thought it would have picked things up from there as our usage far exceeds that of a normal residential customer?

Mister_G

GARYPACESHEET wrote: »

I've been asked by my MD to obtain some prices from various places in order to work out which is the best way forward for us..We are a commercial property, not a residential property.

How do I know that the prices I'm obtaining aren't specifically for residential customers?

I have put our annual usage into the comparison tool, so I would have thought it would have picked things up from there as our usage far exceeds that of a normal residential customer?

As you have said, you will need to make sure that you access commercial prices rather than domestic.

I have just been through a similar exercise for our village hall (electricity only) and got quotes from the following:

makeitcheaper.com

loveenergysavings.com

quotemyenergy.co.uk

energylinxforbusiness.co.uk

They are all brokers, but because of their bulk buying power can generally secure better prices than you going to the supplier direct.

I'm sure that there are others, but I got four quotes and chose the cheapest (which happened to be British Gas!)

wavelets

GARYPACESHEET wrote: »

I've been asked by my MD to obtain some prices from various places in order to work out which is the best way forward for us..We are a commercial property, not a residential property.

How do I know that the prices I'm obtaining aren't specifically for residential customers?

I have put our annual usage into the comparison tool, so I would have thought it would have picked things up from there as our usage far exceeds that of a normal residential customer?

If you are looking at comparison sites, then presumably you are seeking mains gas (methane) rather than LPG (propane or butane).

That was the fisrt issue that confused me as you have posted this on the LPG board.

Most of the comparison sites you would have seen mentioned on this site are for residential customers only.

There are a few sites, such as those provided by the above poster, that may assist you with comparing business tariffs.

I'm sure your MD could have looked at a commercial energy comparison site him/herself

But comparison sites are not the total answer for business. The comparison site may not, for example, indicate any limits on the consumption a certain tariff allows.

You may obtain a better quote from a broker that specialises in business energy (but doesn't publically publish those prices).

Or depending on just how much has you actually use, you may be able to negotiate your own price direct with a supplier.

Remember, you have been asked by your MD to obtain some prices from various places. Anyone that publishes their generally available business tariff will be the same price for that supplier/tariff no matter where you look.

I guess your MD is expecting you to do some work by ringing around to see just what you can get offered. By calling and explaining exactly what you are after, then any quote that is provided should be based on the fact you are wanting this for business purposes.

Cardew

Don't forget that VAT for most buisinesses is 20% . Domestic is 5% and all comparison websites use 5%



There are some exceptions:


https://www.inprovaenergy.com/blog/are-you-paying-the-right-amount-of-vat-on-your-electricity-and-gas-bills

Robin9

Do ring direct some of the Commercial only suppliers - I've been with Gazprom and now with Total Gas and Power.

You may well find some high Standing Charges but its the overall figure you need.

A question for your MD - check the present agreement re penalty clauses.

wavelets

Cardew wrote: »

Don't forget that VAT for most buisinesses is 20% . Domestic is 5% and all comparison websites use 5%



There are some exceptions:


https://www.inprovaenergy.com/blog/are-you-paying-the-right-amount-of-vat-on-your-electricity-and-gas-bills

I can confirm that loveenergysavings.com , the only site mentioned above that appears to provide an onsite comparison for businesses, does assume VAT at the current rate for most business use (i.e 20%)