Business energy (electricity) tariffs?

VoucherMan

I've volunteered to look into this for a charity I help out at, even though I know nothing on the subject. Now I'm wondering if it's going to be as tricky as some sites allude to. (2 of the comparison sites, want to have someone phone me up, even though I requested 'just show me the results'!)

While I'm happy navigating the usual stuff, I'm clueless on solar panel usage. The site currently has 12 non functioning panels, but hopes to get these back online, as well as installing a few more.

Do these solar panels need taking into consideration when changing energy supplier/tariff, or is the way any energy is fed back into the grid, and compensated, standardised these days?

(the slightly TL;DR bit if you want it)

It all started when I was asked a question about usage cost, and finding one of the bills (from E.ON) I discovered they're paying over 77p/kWh for electricity, with a 100p per day standing charge.

Unfortunately annual usage is only estimated at about 700 kWh, which rules out the likes of Octopus with a minimum annual business usage of 1000 kWh. Then again, a recent change in site usage may take annual consumption over 1000 kWh, so I'm not ruling them out.

I managed to get some results from loveenergysavings comparison site, and all the results are less than half the price of the current E.ON tariff. (current annual cost based on E.ON figures is about £880, with new quotes ranging from £288 to £419)

Before I start speaking to anyone regarding new quotes, I'd prefer to at least make an effort to know what I'm talking about.

MultiFuelBurner

Why don't you go with a supplie that does domestic and business contracts rather than a broker?

QrizB

VoucherMan said:

It all started when I was asked a question about usage cost, and finding one of the bills (from E.ON) I discovered they're paying over 77p/kWh for electricity, with a 100p per day standing charge.

Unfortunately annual usage is only estimated at about 700 kWh, which rules out the likes of Octopus with a minimum annual business usage of 1000 kWh.

Currently you're paying almost £900 a year, while At 35p/kWh and zero standing charge with Octopus, it would be worth making sure you use 1000kWh/yr and pay £350. Can you leave a 100W light on a time switch for 10 hours a day?

VoucherMan said:

I managed to get some results from loveenergysavings comparison site, and all the results are less than half the price of the current E.ON tariff. (current annual cost based on E.ON figures is about £880, with new quotes ranging from £288 to £419)

£288 is less than £350, so maybe you don't need to leave a light on after all

VoucherMan said:

Before I start speaking to anyone regarding new quotes, I'd prefer to at least make an effort to know what I'm talking about.

Be very careful. Business energy doesn't have the same consumer protections that domestic enery does. Businesses are expected to do their own checks and not to agree to anything without reading the small print.

VoucherMan

MultiFuelBurner said:

Why don't you go with a supplie that does domestic and business contracts rather than a broker?

My first time looking into business tariffs, so I just followed Google which led me to comparison sites.

Any tips are welcome though, and I'll be starting by looking through all Octopus' tariffs. Thanks

Robin9

Ring around the big boys -  my experience of comparison sites and the phone call that follows has not been good, I compare them the double glazing salesmen. for the Solar ?  Why are they not working ?

Never paid as much as 77p (for my Church Hall) -  I thought my 55 at the beginning of 2022 was bad - paid 34p and s/c 102p this year and new contract due. 

Have you already got an Export supplier ?

How do you heat the building ?

Ectophile

One bit of advice I would give - don't trust anything you are told over the phone.  Ask to see the paperwork before you will agree to anything.

VoucherMan

Robin9 said:

 for the Solar ?  Why are they not working ?

Have you already got an Export supplier ?

How do you heat the building ?

1)  They were 'serviced' last year, for probably the first time in about 10 years. The chap fitted a replacement inverter, but said there were issues with some cables that needed looking at. Unfortunately he's since been uncontactable, and I think it was decided to wait until it's time to install new panels before getting the old working again.

2) No idea

3)Electric fan heaters & oil filled radiator.

Gerry1

No disrespect to the OP but it's a minefield if you're an innocent abroad and don't know what you're doing.  For example, you could find a wonderful new supplier and tariff that will cut their costs by two thirds and throw in a free heat pump as well.

Only when the dust has settled do you find out that the old supply was on a recent 10-year contract which will still be strictly enforced, and the new one is the same and requires annual servicing of the heatpump by an expensive tame contractor.  You good intentions could bankrupt the charity and you can't even go to the Ombudsman.

OK, I'm scaremongering, but only a bit.

ArbitraryRandom

Agreed - it's great that you're willing to give your time to help the charity, but you shouldn't be signing up for ANYTHING yourself. 

Get all the information, do a nice comparison table based on what you know (and caveat that it is only to the best of your knowledge using the information they gave you re the existing arrangements) and give that to the directors of the charity - Assuming they're formally established, they should have a process in place to vote or otherwise agree the new contract. 

VoucherMan

All sorted now.

Apparently the 1000kWh annual minimum is quite common, so limited available tariffs, but E.ON have agreed to a 12 month fixed priced at about 50% of the old tariff.

Possibly by next year usage will be up, and other suppliers keener to accommodate.

I forget the wording, but apparently E.ON have also agreed to organise setting up the feed/tariff from the solar panels once they're working again. From the way it was explained I got the impression that it's normally a chargeable extra. but I didn't pursue the matter.

Robin9

VoucherMan said:

Robin9 said:

 for the Solar ?  Why are they not working ?

Have you already got an Export supplier ?

How do you heat the building ?

1)  They were 'serviced' last year, for probably the first time in about 10 years. The chap fitted a replacement inverter, but said there were issues with some cables that needed looking at. Unfortunately he's since been uncontactable, and I think it was decided to wait until it's time to install new panels before getting the old working again.

2) No idea

3)Electric fan heaters & oil filled radiator.

VoucherMan said:

Robin9 said:

 for the Solar ?  Why are they not working ?

Have you already got an Export supplier ?

How do you heat the building ?

1)  They were 'serviced' last year, for probably the first time in about 10 years. The chap fitted a replacement inverter, but said there were issues with some cables that needed looking at. Unfortunately he's since been uncontactable, and I think it was decided to wait until it's time to install new panels before getting the old working again.

2) No idea

1) In my opinion no point in writing off perfectly good assets (that have a life of 25 years) for the sake of perhaps £500 to repair

2a) Have a look at the present suppliers bills for the last 12 months and look for quarterly credits

2b) ditto - Have a look at your bank statements 

Is it your building ?  Perhaps apply for Lottery Community Fund grant.