Business Electricity Rates, Translated Into Plain English
From half-hourly metering to contract length, we explain what your bill actually means — then find you a better rate.
Suppliers we compare rates across
Business electricity bills are built to be complicated — standing charges, unit rates, capacity charges and metering types most business owners were never taught to read. We translate what your bill actually means, then compare the market to find a rate that fits how your business genuinely uses electricity.
Contract length is the other major decision: a longer fixed term offers price certainty but less flexibility if the market moves in your favour, while a shorter or variable contract can go either way. We talk through the trade-off based on your business’s risk appetite, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
Half-Hourly vs. Non-Half-Hourly Metering
If your business uses a significant amount of electricity — a working kitchen, a large retail unit, an office with heavy equipment — you may be on a half-hourly (HH) meter, which records usage every 30 minutes rather than through a standard estimated read. Non-half-hourly (NHH) meters are more common for smaller, lower-consumption premises and are billed on estimated or periodic actual reads. Neither is inherently better — but HH metering can unlock more accurately priced tariffs for high-usage businesses, and it’s rarely explained clearly by suppliers themselves. We check your metering type as part of every review.
Understanding Your Bill: Standing Charges, Unit Rates and CCL
Every business electricity bill combines a standing charge (a fixed daily cost regardless of usage), a unit rate (the price per kWh consumed), and — unless your business qualifies for an exemption or reduced rate — the Climate Change Levy (CCL), a government-mandated environmental tax added to business (but not domestic) energy bills. Comparing suppliers on unit rate alone can be misleading if standing charges differ significantly, which is why we compare total estimated annual cost, not just the headline rate.
For businesses with equipment that runs for extended hours — commercial kitchens especially — electricity is often the single largest utility cost, which makes getting the contract right worth the time.
Problems We Solve
- Not sure whether you're on a half-hourly or standard meter
- Long trading hours or heavy equipment driving up consumption
- Standing charges and unit rates that are hard to compare between suppliers
- Locked into a contract length that doesn't suit how the business is changing
- Standing charges and unit rates that are hard to compare like-for-like between suppliers
Businesses We Help With This
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Furniture shops typically operate from larger floorspace than most retail units, which means lighting and heating or cooling costs scale…
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Petrol stations are among the most demanding premises types we work with: many operate 24 hours a day, forecourt lighting…
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A dental practice depends on specialised equipment — X-ray machines, sterilisation autoclaves, dental chairs with air compressors — plus continuous…
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A GP practice depends on continuous IT uptime for patient records, refrigeration for vaccines and medication that must stay within…
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Pharmacies depend on refrigeration for medications and vaccines that must stay within a strict temperature range, often trade longer hours…
See how we helpFrequently Asked Questions
It's a meter that records your electricity usage every 30 minutes instead of relying on estimated reads. It's typically used for higher-consumption businesses and can unlock more accurately priced tariffs.
It depends on your appetite for risk — fixed contracts offer price certainty for budgeting, while variable contracts can be cheaper if wholesale prices fall, but carry more uncertainty. We'll talk through both based on your business.
Yes — we're happy to review your current contract and usage, flag your renewal date, and come back to you with options closer to the time.
It's a government environmental tax added to business energy bills (not domestic ones). Some businesses qualify for a reduced rate or exemption depending on usage levels and sector — we can check whether that applies to you.
Standing charges reflect a supplier's cost of maintaining your connection and vary by region, meter type and supplier pricing strategy. It's why we compare total estimated annual cost rather than unit rate alone.
No. Switching supplier only changes who bills you — your physical electricity supply, meter and wiring are completely unaffected.
Most contracts are based on estimated annual consumption, and small variations are normal. If your usage changes substantially (e.g. you expand premises), let your account manager know so we can review whether your contract still fits.
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