Compare business energy prices per kWh

There are all sorts of costs that go into making up your monthly energy bill, but when shopping around for a new business gas or business electricity tariff, there are two costs you should pay particular attention to:

• Unit cost - The price you pay for each unit of electricity (measured in kWh) your business uses.
• Standing charge - A daily charge that covers the maintenance of the national grid, and the cost of transporting electricity directly to your business premises.

If you switch to a deal that offers lower unit costs and standing charges, you’ll be well on your way to saving money on your gas bills and electricity bills. To find out more about what makes up your business energy bills, check out our guide to business energy bills.

If you’re ready to make the switch now, click the button below to instantly compare business electricity prices online, or get in touch with our switching team on 0800 188 4930.

If you’d like to find out a bit more about energy prices per kWh before you make your decision, read on.

One of the major barriers business owners face when it comes to switching to a new energy deal is the time it takes to compare business electricity prices. Not only do you need to get a separate quote for gas and electricity, but the only way to make sure you’re on the best rates is also to compare the standing charges and business electricity prices per kWh from each individual supplier – a far cry from the relative ease of simply choosing from a set of predefined tariffs when switching domestic energy.

It’s not all bad news though, as this bespoke service means you can be safe in the knowledge your tariff will be suited to the consumption needs of your business. And comparing business energy with Uswitch for Business means you’ll save both time and money, as our energy experts can quickly compare commercial gas prices per kWh to find you a better deal in minutes.

A quick call is all it takes to compare quotes from a range of suppliers to find out who has the cheapest electricity per kWh for your business. But before you get in touch, it’s a good idea to know roughly how much energy a business the size of yours should be using, and how much it can expect to pay.

The table below shows the industry average electricity and gas cost per kWh, as well as standing charges, based on business size.

Average electricity price per kWh and usage figures

Business Size	Annual usage (kWh)	Average price (per kWh)	Standing charge (daily)
Micro Business	5,000 - 15,000	44.9p	95.0p
Small business	15,000  - 25,000	40.7p	116.5p
Medium business	25,000 - 50,000	34.6p	102.5p
Large business	More than 55,000 kWh	36.1p	138.3p

^{Note: Bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. Prices do not include the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. Current market volatility may also mean that the prices you’re quoted are different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Bionic per business size from January 3 to January 6, 2023. Rates do not include any Energy Bill Relief Scheme discount.}

Average gas rate per kWh and usage figures

Business size	Annual usage (kWh)	Average price per kWh	Standing charge
Micro business	5,000 - 15,000	18.6p	66.6p
Small business	15,000 - 30,000	13.1p	134.2p
Medium business	30,000 - 65,000	16.2p	179.6p
Large business	More than 65,000 kWh	10.2p	278.1p

^{Note: Bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. Prices do not include the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. Current market volatility may also mean that the prices you’re quoted are different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Bionic per business size from January 3 to January 6, 2023. Rates do not include any Energy Bill Relief Scheme discount.}

Large businesses, or those with high energy demand, are metered and billed differently to smaller or less energy-intensive operations. For more information, check out our energy guide for large businesses.

If you’re paying above the average prices for electricity or gas per kWh, there’s a good chance you could cut your business gas bills and electricity bills by running a business energy comparison.

The cost per kWh you pay can vary between business energy suppliers. When designing your business energy quote, suppliers first assess the circumstances of your business by looking at things like energy consumption and business location. Gathering this information enables them to know more about your energy needs and will determine the cost of your quote and the cost per unit (kWh) you’ll have to pay for the energy that your business is using.

When assessing and designing your business energy costs, a supplier will look at:

• The industry that your business operates in.
• The average annual energy consumption of your business.
• The size of your business.
• The number of fuels you are being quoted for.
• Your current business energy supplier.
• The location of your business.
• The length of contract that your business requires.

Outside of the factors given above, the energy cost per kWh can also be impacted by factors outside of your control and the control of your supplier. For instance, the wholesale cost of gas and electricity (the price your supplier pays for the energy it supplies to your business) can be affected by anything from natural disasters to political events and conflicts.

It’s easy to assume that the cheapest gas or electricity tariff will be the best deal for your business, and while getting the cheapest possible deal is always a priority, if the supplier you choose isn’t the best fit for your business, you could run into problems further down the line, which could lead to a disruption in your supply, or even see you paying more than you budgeted for.

That’s why it makes sense to let the business energy experts at Uswitch for Business handle the whole thing for you. Not only can we instantly compare quotes from a variety of suppliers, we can help you get the most from the switch, by recommending suppliers with exceptional after-sales service, low unit costs, or low standing charges, depending upon your preferences.

Give us a call today on 0800 188 4930, or leave your postcode in the box on the right and we'll give you a call.

Making sure you're on the best rates is one way to cut costs, but it also helps to be more energy efficient. 

There are several ways to improve the energy efficiency of your business, from fitting double glazing to simply making sure you switch things off. Here are some cost-cutting measures you can put into practice to help lower the price of your business energy bills:

• Switch off all non-essential appliances - When you're done for the day, or even if you're not using equipment for a prolonged period, get into the habit of switching things off instead of leaving them running unnecessarily. Even leaving equipment on standby can waste energy and money.
• Switch to energy-efficient lighting - This will come with an initial cost, but fitting energy-efficient light bulbs can really make a difference to the amount of energy you use and the cost of your bills. It's also important to make sure light fittings and bulbs aren't dusty or dirty as the affects the amount of energy they use.
• Block up draughts - Use draught excluder seals or tape to cover gaps in doors and windows and stop hot from escaping and cold air from seeping in.
• Unblock heat sources - Having furniture or filing cabinets in front of heaters can stop heat from circulating properly and leave your premises cold. Even having curtains draped in front of radiators can have an effect. So make sure there's clear space in front of all heaters as much as possible.
• Get the temperature right - Normal working environments should be between 16°C and 19°C, so try to keep heat within this range and limit the number of people that can access the thermostat. It might also be a good idea to put the heating on a timer to make sure it's only ever used as needed. If you run a cafe or restaurant, bear in mind that the temperature might need to be a little warmer for customers - around 20°C is usually enough.
• Keep equipment maintained - It's important that all equipment is regularly maintained to make sure it's working as well and as efficiently as possible. This includes everything from computer monitors to fridges, freezers, and cookers. It’s also important to get regular services for the boilers in your workplace (ideally, once a year) so you can be sure they’re working properly and are fit for purpose. 

Remember, putting energy efficiency measures in place will help cut your usage and lower your bills. But it's important to make sure you're not on expensive out-of-contract rates, or on deemed rates if you've just moved into a new business property. 

To compare prices, give us a call today on 0800 188 4930, or pop your postcode in the box on the right and we'll call you back at a time that suits.