Micro Business Energy Guide
Running a micro business often entails managing lots of jobs yourself to help cut costs. With energy costs rising, finding ways to save money on your energy bills is more important than ever…
Business energy contract due to renew? Call us on 0800 9777 000 or fill in our business quote form to see how much you could save…
How can I find the right energy provider for my micro business?
To find the right business energy provider you should consider the following:
Pricing
Compare the prices of different energy providers to find the best deal. You can use an energy comparison service or broker like Exchange Utility to help you find the deal best suited to your micro business.
Reviews
You should look for brokers or providers who have a good track record of providing excellent customer service to businesses that are similar to yours. With our in-depth knowledge of the energy market and high customer satisfaction ratings, Exchange Utility and our expert team of business energy brokers can help connect your business with the right suppliers.
Choice of tariffs
Choose an energy provider that offers a range of tariffs that suit your business needs. We always suggest an energy provider that we feel will be best suited to your business so that they can provide a cost-effective tariff. However, whatever we suggest we will always let you decide which provider you feel is best.
Eco-friendliness
Many small companies want to do their part when it comes to reducing global emissions, and have started looking for ways to cut their carbon footprint. Finding a provider which offers renewable tariffs will allow your business to be both sustainable and successful in the long term.
An Exchange Utility energy expert will be able to provide you with all of the advice that you need to ensure that your micro business has the right energy provider for your needs.
What is classed as a micro business?
According to the UK Government, the criteria to be classed as a micro business include:
✔ Less than 10 employees
✔ Have an annual turnover no greater than £2 million
✔ You use less than 100,000 kWh of electricity per year
✔ You use less than 293,000 kWh of gas per year
What types of micro business energy contracts are available?
There are plenty of options available to micro businesses who are looking at differing types of energy contracts. Whether you’re coming to the end of your current energy contract l or feel the type of contract you’re on just isn’t right for your business, get in touch with Exchange Utility today to find out what options are available.
Quick tips on saving energy bills as a micro business:
1. Understand your business energy usage and waste
Completing an energy audit on your workspace allows you to locate areas within your business that are using too much, or areas where your business is wasting energy.
2. Use energy-efficient lighting
This isn’t a new idea but it is one that’s often overlooked. Make sure your lighting is energy efficient – it’s a simple switch that is super-quick and cheap, and could save you lots of money across a year.
3. Don’t waste energy
Turning off appliances that are not in use, both overnight or over the weekend can save you some extra cash on your energy bills.
4. Replace appliances with energy-efficient ones
An office kitchen sees a lot of use, the kettle might be boiling on and off all day, microwaves and ovens being reheated every 5 minutes – sound familiar? Replace these energy-guzzling appliances with more efficient versions to save money on your bills.
5. Make it a team effort
You can’t do all of this on your own, getting your employees on board will make these changes much easier. Once your staff are taking it upon themselves to turn off their computers and flick the lights off on the way out you’ll begin to make a saving.
Micro business FAQs:
What if I run my micro business from home?
Running a micro business from your home is unlikely to affect your business’s energy prices. This is because microbusiness users and domestic users are more likely to have similar usage per month. However, there are some exceptions such as suppliers offering discounted rates to microbusinesses that sign up for a fixed-term contract, though this differs depending on the type of energy provider you’re dealing with. Some suppliers might also charge a higher standing charge rate for microbusinesses.
What if I can’t pay my micro business energy bills?
If you’re struggling to pay for your business energy bills then you should contact your provider as quickly as possible. Let your provider know your situation, as a payment plan may be made available and you can also get help from Citizens Advice or the National Energy Action.
Is my business considered a micro business or a small business?
The UK government defines a microbusiness as a business that employs fewer than 10 people as well as having an annual turnover of less than £650,000. Small businesses employ less than 50 people and have an annual turnover of less than £10 million.
How many micro-businesses are there in the UK?
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), there are over 5.5 million microbusinesses in the UK, representing 95.6% of all businesses in the UK.
How many small businesses are there in the UK?
There are over 600,000 small businesses in the UK, representing 3.7% of all businesses in the country.
This leaves medium-sized businesses at 0.6% of the percentage and 0.1% in large businesses.
Considering switching to a new business energy supplier?
Here at Exchange Utility, our expert business energy brokers can help you find a new business energy supplier by comparing tariffs and options available to your business to find you the right deal.
✔ Our customer support team is one of the best in the industry
✔ Contact Exchange Utility to switch your energy tariff in as little as 5 days
✔ We have years of experience comparing business gas and electricity
✔ We have built a solid reputation for being a reliable, independent and trustworthy comparison company
✔ We can compare gas prices from industry leaders to find you competitive rates
✔ Whenever a business gets in touch with us, we always work hard to get them the right rates for their business
✔ Don’t just take our word for it see what our customers are saying about us on Trustpilot
Business energy contract due to renew? Call us on 0800 9777 000 or fill in our energy quote form to see how much you could save…
