Running your own business can be troubling enough, especially when managing your overheads. Just one look at your business gas bill can be overwhelming and confusing due to the sheer amount of information you’re given.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled this useful guide on business gas bills to help clear up any issues you might be having.
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While you will of course be drawn most to the final price figure, it’s important to be aware of how your business gas bill is broken down. Then you’ll be best positioned to know if you’re spending too much, and if you need to switch providers.
The most important figures you should be looking at are:
Other information you’re likely to see on your bill is:
All businesses use different amount of gas, depending on the size of premises and number of people who work there. As such, those businesses with larger workforces, who can subsequently guarantee a certain amount of usage, will be given lower rates than smaller businesses.
Defined as an enterprise with up to 10 employees, these typically have very low energy usage, and as a result, they have some of the highest costs.
These usually have a maximum of 50 employees, and turnover no more than £3 million per annum. They benefit from slightly reduced rates compared to Micro Businesses.
Those with between 51 – 250 staff members will almost certainly get the most competitive rates, because they can guarantee significant. The supplier will often buy the gas wholesale and pass the savings on to the customer.
Other than your standing charge and unit cost, you’ll likely see a full breakdown of costs that at first might seem bogus. Here’s a look at some of the most common extra charges:
The energy market is as vulnerable to fluctuations as any other, and these price changes will often be reflected in your final bill. Some of the most common external factors affecting your business gas bill are:
If the gas stored in underground fields is plentiful, then it’s safe to assume that prices will stay relatively stable. However, when demand becomes higher and it’s not possible to refill the tanks in time, then you can expect the price to go up. Storage facilities also encounter problems regarding safety and delivery, which in turn affect price.
Changes to our environment can disrupt the gas distribution chains, meaning your final gas bill will probably reflect the rising difficulty in getting gas to the premises.
A range of factors, from stock market to global politics, will have an effect on the price of crude oil. That affects the wholesale cost of gas, and therefore your providers will have to pass that on to you.
Thanks to the actions of climate activists across the globe, businesses are being forced to be more eco-conscious. That means that we are seeing governments incentivise “green” businesses initiatives and funding more renewable energy resources. If your business isn’t making the effort, and still relies on non-renewable energy, then you’re likely to face higher charges.
It’s simple: The less energy you use, the less you’ll be charged for. So, you really out to think about “green” solutions. This might involve installing solar panels or updating the insulation in your premises. These are often expensive but will save you money down the line.
If you’ve not negotiated a new gas deal in the past 6 months, then it’s likely you’re missing out on a great saving with another provider. It’s always advisable to search or alternatives – use our handy business energy comparison tool to search options and save your business some money today.