Business Gas Comparison

Your MPRN is your Meter Point Reference Number. It’s a unique number gas suppliers use to identify the gas service at your premises. So, if you’re in a building with multiple gas services, each one will have its own unique MPRN.

You’ll typically find it on a recent business gas bill. It’s usually six to 10 digits in length. You’ll also be able to find on your meter box – provided you have a newer meter installed. Check out our guide for everything you need to know about MPAN and MPRN numbers.

Typically, yes – especially when you compare them at the unit rate level.

However, it’s more complicated than that. There are other factors that apply to commercial gas supplies that domestic supplies aren’t impacted by. For instance, most businesses will have to pay 20% VAT and pay the Climate Change Levy (CCL) – domestic customers only pay 5% VAT and are exempt from the CCL.

Commercial contracts tend to be considerably longer and aren’t covered by a cooling-off period. This is because suppliers buy all the energy from wholesale needed to cover the duration of the contract at the very start. Fluctuations at wholesale level can also have a greater impact on commercial pricing than they do on domestic pricing.

If you’ve opted to switch, your new supplier should contact you to provide a date for your switch. From this point, it should take between 17 and 21 days to complete. However, with expert help you can leave the heavy lifting and instead have your attention fully directed on running your business.

To find out when your business gas contract ends, you will be able to find this on the first page of your statement.

If you cannot find your contract end date on your statement, contact our gas experts who are happy to help.

Getting your readings right is imperative – if you get them wrong you could find yourself grossly overpaying for the amount of gas your business has used. The way you read your usage will depend on whether you have a dial or digital meter and whether it’s imperial or metric.

Imperial gas meters show measurements in cubic feet, with four digits displayed, while metric meters show measurements in cubic metres, with five digits displayed.

On a digital metric meter, you can simply make a note of five numbers to the left of the decimal point. Anything after can be ignored.

With a digital imperial meter, you can take the same approach – ignore anything after the decimal point (these meters will most likely have these digits highlighted in red.)

On a dial meter, you’ll see a series of dials with the numbers zero to nine. Work your way across the various dials noting down the numbers indicated by the pointer. If the number falls between two numbers, note down the lower number. If the number falls between zero and nine, you should note down nine.

It’s important to note, cooling off periods are the exception rather than the norm for commercial tariffs. However, if your supplier does offer one, it’ll essentially allow you to cancel your contract within a set number of days – before you get locked-in or incur any penalty fees.

Early exit fees are a rare thing in the world of commercial energy – because you aren’t normally allowed to cancel before the opening of your contract renewal window. Some suppliers may offer them on occasion. However, there’s usually a price to be paid – that’s your early exit fee.

Your business will need a half-hourly energy meter if:

• Electricity or gas demands of over 100kWh in any 30-minute period.
• Annual gas consumption above 200,000 kWh.
• Annual electricity consumption above 55,000 kWh.

Get in touch with a member of the team for more information on half-hourly meters.

Business Energy Comparison can help save you time and money when it comes to secure your business gas contracts. Our experts will handle the entire switching process to save you the stress of comparing the market.

Business gas rates are calculated based on several factors, including:

• The volume of gas consumed: The more gas your business uses, the higher your rates will be.
• The type of contract: Business gas rates can vary depending on the type of contract you have with your gas supplier. Fixed-rate contracts offer a fixed price per unit of gas for a set period, while variable-rate contracts can fluctuate based on market conditions.
• Location: Gas rates can vary depending on where your business is located. Gas suppliers may charge more in areas where it is more difficult or expensive to transport gas.
• Time of day: Some gas suppliers offer time-of-use pricing, which means that rates can vary based on the time of day that gas is consumed. Rates may be higher during peak usage periods and lower during off-peak periods.
• Taxes and fees: Gas rates may also include taxes and fees, which can vary depending on local regulations and other factors.

Overall, business gas rates are typically calculated based on a combination of these factors, as well as other market conditions and industry trends. It’s important to compare rates from multiple suppliers to find the best deal for your business. Business Energy Comparison work with the UK’s leading energy suppliers to find the best deal for your business.

To compare business gas deals, you will need the following information:

• Gas consumption: You will need to know how much gas your business consumes on an average day, week, or month. This information can be found on your gas bill or by contacting your gas supplier.
• Tariffs: You will need to know the tariffs that different gas suppliers offer for businesses. Tariffs can be fixed or variable, and they can include different rates for standing charges and unit rates.
• Contract terms: You will need to know the contract terms offered by different gas suppliers. These can include the length of the contract, the notice period for termination, and any penalties for early termination.
• Payment terms: You will need to know the payment terms offered by different gas suppliers. These can include payment methods, frequency of billing, and any discounts for prompt payment.

By comparing these factors for different gas suppliers, you can find the most cost-effective option for your business gas supply.

Business gas prices can be affected by a variety of factors, including global oil prices, supply and demand, geopolitical tensions, government taxes and regulations, and transportation and distribution costs.

One major factor affecting gas prices in the global oil market. As oil prices rise, so do gas prices, as gasoline is made from crude oil. This can be due to a variety of factors, including increased demand from growing economies like China and India, disruptions in supply due to conflicts or natural disasters, and changes in production levels from major oil-producing countries.

Another factor is supply and demand. During times of high demand, such as during the summer months when people tend to travel more, gas prices tend to rise. Similarly, when supply is limited, such as during refinery maintenance or pipeline disruptions, prices may also rise.

Finally, transportation and distribution costs can also impact gas prices. The cost of transporting gas from refineries to gas stations can be affected by factors such as distance, mode of transportation, and infrastructure.

Overall, business gas prices can be influenced by a complex set of factors, many of which are outside the control of individual businesses.

In most cases, your gas supply should not be cut off while switching to a new gas supplier. When you switch gas suppliers, your new supplier will contact your current supplier to arrange the switch. This process is called “the transfer of supply” and is handled by the suppliers themselves.

During the switch, you will continue to receive gas from your current supplier until the transfer is complete. The transfer process can take a few weeks, but during this time, you should not experience any interruption in your gas supply.

It is important to note that if you are switching gas suppliers because you are moving to a new home or premises, you may experience a temporary disruption in your gas supply. This is because your new property may need to be connected to the gas network, which can take some time. However, your gas supplier should be able to provide you with more information about this and how long the disruption may last.

There are several ways you can reduce your business gas bills, including:

• Conduct an energy audit: This will help you identify areas of energy wastage in your business and allow you to take steps to reduce your gas consumption.
• Upgrade your equipment: Newer, more energy-efficient equipment can help reduce your gas bills. This includes upgrading your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, as well as any other gas-powered equipment.
• Improve Insulation: Proper insulation can help keep heat inside your business premises, reducing the amount of gas needed to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Adjust thermostat settings: Set your thermostat at the optimal temperature for your business needs, and consider lowering the temperature by a degree or two to save on gas.
• Use energy-efficient lighting: Switch to LED or CFL bulbs, which use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.
• Switch gas suppliers: Compare gas suppliers and switch to one that offers better rates or incentives for energy-efficient practices.
• Implement energy-saving practices: Encourage your employees to turn off lights and equipment when not in use, and make sure to unplug chargers and appliances when they are not being used.

By taking these steps, you can reduce your business gas bills and save money on energy costs over the long term.

The easiest way to find out who your business gas supplier is would be to check your latest gas bill or statement. The name of the supplier should be listed on the document.

If you don’t have access to your latest bill or statement, you can get in touch or your local gas distribution network operator (DNO) for information about your supplier. You can also use the Meter Point Administration Service (MPAS) to find out which company is currently registered to supply gas to your business premises.

Additionally, get in touch with our energy experts and compare rates and services to determine if you’re getting the best deal.

Not all business gas contracts include a standing charge, as it depends on the specific terms and conditions of the contract. A standing charge is a fixed daily charge that covers the cost of supplying gas to a business property, regardless of how much gas is used.

Some business gas contracts may include a standing charge as part of the overall pricing structure, while others may offer a tariff without a standing charge. The choice of the contract will depend on the individual needs and usage patterns of the business, as well as the pricing and terms offered by the gas supplier.

It’s important for businesses to carefully review the terms and conditions of any gas contract before signing up, to ensure they understand the pricing structure and any additional charges or fees that may be applicable.

If you move your business to new premises, your gas supply will be affected, and you’ll need to take action to ensure that your gas supply is properly transferred or terminated. Here are some steps to consider:

• Contact your business gas supplier: Inform your gas supplier of your upcoming move at least two weeks before the move date. This will allow them to make the necessary arrangements to transfer or disconnect your gas supply.
• Arrange for a gas safety check: Before you move into your new premises, it’s important to arrange for a gas safety check to ensure that your new premises meet the safety standards required for gas usage. You may also want to consider arranging for an energy audit to assess the energy efficiency of your new premises.
• Transfer your gas supply: If you’re happy with your current gas supplier, you can arrange for your gas supply to be transferred to your new premises. Your gas supplier will recommend you on the process and any costs involved.
• Terminate your gas supply: If you’re moving out of your current premises and not taking over a new gas supply, you’ll need to terminate your gas supply. Your gas supplier will advise you on the process and any costs involved.
• Consider changing your gas supplier: Moving premises can be a good time to review your gas supply and consider changing suppliers. You may be able to find a better deal or more suitable tariffs for your new premises.

In summary, if you’re moving your business premises, you’ll need to inform your business gas supplier, arrange for a gas safety check, transfer or terminate your gas supply, and consider changing your gas supplier if appropriate.