March 19, 2012

Don’t Roll-Over in Error

Filed under: business energy — Tags: — Newsroom @ 1:15 pm

Every small business owner has enough to do in ensuring that their business is surviving during these difficult times without needing to consider their commercial gas and electricity contract.  It is possible that it can expire without anyone being aware which will leave the owner in a roll-over nightmare where the energy costs are considerably higher.

Energy Contracts and Renewal Letter

Businesses work on a different basis than domestic consumers when it relates to gas and electricity prices.  The majority of businesses have an energy contract which may be for one, two, three or even more years.  When nearing the end of the current contract the energy supplier will send a renewal letter to the business.  The letter states that on a specific date the contract will renew automatically.  It will also confirm the new price which will be charged.

The “Switching Window”

This is the time during which the commercial customer can change suppliers and tariffs.  The switching window may be as long as four months but will be a minimum of thirty days.  The current energy supplier determines the length of the switching window, but they are legally required to write to the business during that time.

A major problem found by many business owners is that the renewal letter isn’t obvious.  It may appear to be promotional information and there isn’t anything written to suggest that urgent action needs to be taken by the customer.  If the customer doesn’t do anything in response to the letter, the contract will automatically roll-over for another fixed period. This could be for a further three years.

What Happens if the Contract Rolls-Over?

It may not sound as if this is much of a problem, however it needs to be borne in mind that the price set by the energy provider may be twenty five per cent higher than the figure previously being paid.  In some cases the price may be increased by a staggering one hundred per cent.

This can be a huge amount to pay and it could affect a customer by thousands of pounds for each year of the contract.  The energy provider once it has advised when the new contract will start and the new price being charged has fulfilled its legal obligations to the customer.  It is then the customer’s responsibility to find another provider before the new contract starts.

Take Action – NOW

The first item to check is the expiry date of the existing contract.  If you can’t find the information, ring your existing energy provider and they will confirm the date with you.

Even if the renewal date is some months’ away it is wise to contact an independent energy broker who will be able to look for a better deal for when the contract expires.  Call them now and they will ensure that the renewal date isn’t overlooked.

An independent energy broker doesn’t charge you for the work done in obtaining the best price for energy.  The broker can speak to every energy supplier and will ensure that their client (the small business owner) gets their energy at a good price.  They will also be able to suggest energy saving solutions to make sure that the energy being charged for isn’t wasted.

 

March 14, 2012

Energy Suppliers – On One Side They Win, And On The Other…They Also Win!

Filed under: business energy — Tags: , , — Newsroom @ 1:41 pm

Over the past few days the big players in the energy supply market are offering up to a five per cent reduction in energy bills.  This saving is for either gas or electricity, not both.  Don’t forget that they increased prices by nearly twenty per cent only a few months ago, so that even with the five per cent reduction, they are still well ahead.

Don’t stay with the same energy provider just because it is easier.  Although it is tempting “not to rock the boat” because energy payments are up to date, and there isn’t an issue with the gas and electric supplier, there are other companies who will be able to provide energy at a lower cost.

Consult a firm of independent energy brokers and they will be delighted to assist in finding the lowest prices which are appropriate for your business.  Every business will have different requirements, which is why there isn’t a “one size fits all” solution.  It may be possible to utilise one of the alternative green technologies, possibly solar water heating or maybe a new boiler which will provide central heating for your premises.

Remember that the green technology also incorporates selling excess energy which you produce by FiT (feed in tariff), which will not only reduce your own energy bill, but will also pay you a specific amount for the energy which is exported back to the national grid.  An independent energy broker has all the facts and figures available at the tips of their fingers.  They know what they are talking about, and can discuss the cost implications with you.  They are also able to provide a full service from the drawing board at the beginning through to the installation being complete.

Right from the start they will suggest various alternatives, but will also listen to what you want to achieve.  This includes discussing the type of system you would like.  They then look at whether it is feasible, or whether there may be planning issues (not likely, but it is obviously essential to have it confirmed by the local planning department).

They manage the complete installation process, and complete all the paperwork to ensure that FiT payments which are due to you are paid in accordance with the agreement.  Your independent broker is also able to continue to manage your system on an ongoing basis.

A point to remember though is that it is still essential for your staff not to waste energy by having lights switched on in daylight, and to ensure that the central heating temperature isn’t too high.  When an office is too warm it can cause the members of staff to feel drowsy, which isn’t conducive to good concentration.

Spring is nearly here and hopefully the central heating won’t need to be switched on for much longer.  Think about your energy costs and consult an independent broker to assist you reduce your bills.

March 6, 2012

Conserve Energy – And Save Money

Filed under: Energy Efficiency — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 1:17 pm

There are two different ways to reduce energy bills.  One is to change to a cheaper energy provider and the second is to use less gas and electricity.  The first method is straightforward; however, a two-pronged effort is required to ensure that the energy which you do pay for isn’t being wasted.  The vast majority of small and medium sized businesses are still finding it difficult to grow in the current economic climate and they need to keep overheads down to a minimum.

Step One

Contact an independent energy broker who will be able to find the best of the big six energy providers appropriate for your requirements.  They may be able to negotiate a better deal with your existing provider or they may suggest that you change suppliers.  They will only make proposals on the correct way forward after a thorough assessment of your present usage.

Step Two

This can be started immediately.  If you work alone then you will need to do the work.  If, however you have any staff members ask them for their assistance.

The first item to check is your electricity meter and whether it is functioning correctly.  At the close of business one day switch off the computers – don’t just leave them on standby.  Ensure that every other piece of equipment is turned off properly, and then take a meter reading.  The following morning make sure that you check the meter which should still have the same reading as last night.  If there were fridges or freezers which had to be left running overnight these will need to be taken into account.

Once it has been established that the meter is working correctly the following evening leave the computers and normal appliances as they would normally be left at the close of business.  The following morning read the meter again.  You will then find out how much energy is used by just leaving items on standby overnight.  This can mount up over the course of a month.

There are many ways to reduce the amount of energy used during the working day.  If there is central heating which has a timer set to ensure that the premises are warm enough by the time employees arrive, see whether that can be adjusted by thirty minutes.  Instead of switching on at 7am, change it to 7.30am or 8am depending on what time staff members arrive for work.  Reduce the thermostat by one degree which will positive impact on the heating bills, but do make sure that it isn’t cold.

Don’t heat empty rooms.  If a room is only used on an occasional basis, make a note to turn the radiator on before the room is required and turn it off after the room is vacated.  Ensure that radiators have silver foil behind them to bounce the heat back in the room.

These are only a couple of energy reducing ideas, and tomorrow there will be more suggestions.

October 1, 2011

No…They’re Not Lazy!

Filed under: Energy News — Tags: — Newsroom @ 10:36 am

There have been comments made by Chris Huhne about the laziness of some UK residents.  The laziness relates to people changing their energy provider.  It was unfortunate that this was reported, as the main point of Mr Huhne’s speech was referring to the big six energy providers and Ofgem’s powers which are being extended.

The vast majority of the UK population want to get on with living their lives.  More often than not, it isn’t laziness preventing them from doing something; rather that they were extremely busy at the time, and then later on things were just forgotten.

There needs to be help available for people who want to change their energy providers, and help with fitting low energy light bulbs.  These are really easy for most people to do; however, there are many older people who do need some assistance.

The Citizens Advice Bureau does its best to help all UK residents with issues from housing, to legal matters and other financial problems.  Over the past few years the CAB has been overwhelmed with requests for help.  Unfortunately this means that they are extremely busy and some branches are booked for months ahead.

There are many people who would love to change the electric and gas suppliers but they don’t actually know how to go about it.  There is a huge demand for volunteers to go and help older people with little jobs like changing energy suppliers.  These volunteers could find out whether extra loft insulation is necessary in a property, and contact the relevant department.  Spend time explaining the changes and how these can be made, at no cost to the home owner.

There are many people who can’t find a job at present.  Perhaps this would be an ideal way of finding part-time work in their local community assisting older residents – but only if they want help.  Many elderly people will be happy to accept help, but only when it is offered in the right way.  Someone from their own village could break down many barriers.

Many people in this position are from the older generation and assume that when anyone is any sort of authority tells them something, they must be correct.  My own mother was one of these people.  It became a standing joke that the “theys” of this world were always right.  If we ever told her anything which was at a slight variance from what the doctor has said – then we were wrong because “they” had told her…

My mother was a lovely person who wouldn’t harm a fly.  She was a well-respected member of the community, chairman of the Mothers Union and looked after the church and its various rotas.

Her only flaws were that she didn’t understand money – and didn’t want to, and that she believed everything spoken by anyone who she perceived was a person in authority.

It certainly didn’t mean that she was lazy.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  She would do anything for anyone, and things which she couldn’t actually do herself, well then, she volunteered members of her family!

That are many people in the UK who for one reason or another, haven’t changed energy providers – and no, it’s not because they are lazy.

September 1, 2011

Contract – What Contract?

Filed under: business energy — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 12:48 pm

Many business users don’t understand their energy contracts.  Although generally this isn’t surprising, unless the contract has been read and a level of understanding gained, how can any savings be made?  Hopefully, the following information will help to provide some clarification.

 

The Contract – if you have a small business your current energy provider should have sent a copy of the terms and conditions which are contained in the contract.  This is slightly different for larger businesses; however the energy provider should have ensured that the terms and conditions could be seen.  Whatever the size of the business it is important that the contract and any supporting documents have been read.

Date of the Contract – you should know exactly when the energy contract started and when it is due to complete.  Before changing providers, it is necessary to know the length of the notice required to be given to the existing energy supplier.

Renewal of Contract – ensure that you check the timeframe allowed to change providers before the contract is automatically renewed.

Be Cautious but take positive action – it is necessary to be aware of the process if the customer doesn’t do anything during the renewal period.  The small business owner needs to switch energy providers or sign a new fixed-term contract.  If they don’t take either of these actions the existing provider can (they may not, but they can) roll-over the contract for another year, increase the rates and also change the terms of the contact.  Larger companies may find that the contract is rolled-over for more than a year.

 

These are the main points to be aware of; however, do closely look at your specific contract.  Some very small businesses haven’t bothered to have an energy contract, particularly if they have moved into offices fairly recently.  What may happen is that they become bogged down with everything else which is new, and that as long as there is electricity already in the building, they tend to just advise the supplier that they have moved to that address and that they are taking over the supply. The problem with this, of course, is that the standard rate will be charged and, although the provider will send a form to be signed, that will be the end of it.

It is down to the customer to do anything further.  The simplest way to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum is by contacting an independent energy broker who will discuss your requirements and find the best deal for your business.  They will also be able to advise on energy saving, many of these are common-sense but the broker will ensure that nothing is overlooked.  They will always make sure that when contracts are due to be renewed every necessary piece of action is taken before penalties are charged.  They will ensure that the bills which you receive, are correct, and that the energy company have applied the rates which had been agreed.

You may feel that you don’t need the services of a broker; however if you take a moment to think about it, you are a specialist in your business and you know all the details.  It is exactly the same for independent energy brokers – they are the experts and know what they are doing – why would you want to do it yourself?

August 11, 2011

Horses for Courses…

Filed under: business energy — Tags: , , — Newsroom @ 10:18 am

You wouldn’t contact an estate agent to buy a washing machine, would you?  Similarly, a florist is the expert when it comes to buying flowers for any occasion, but you wouldn’t consider asking them to paint your offices!  Those examples are a little extreme; however, I’m sure that you understand the sentiment.

It is exactly the same regarding the best contact to deal with all your business energy requirements.  A specialist energy broker dedicated to providing solutions for all the company energy costs will achieve  the greatest results.  An independent energy broker is able to provide the best energy provider from across the whole of the market.   They concentrate all their efforts – or energy – in finding the optimum energy provider for your business, and even the way you run your business.

Once the decision has been made to utilise the services provided by an energy broker, the question is which one to choose.  Don’t go to a broker who is a “Jack of all Trades” who wants to be “all things to all businesses.”  Contact a company which devotes its time solely in dealing with energy comparisons, prices and also deals direct with all of the energy suppliers.  There are many comparison websites and they provide prices for phones, broadband mobile phone contracts and household utilities in addition to business energy prices.  That is OK if that is all you want.  However, they won’t look after your best interests, and resolve any problems which can happen on an ongoing basis.  Comparison websites do exactly what they say – they show the different prices offered by companies and you can choose whichever one you prefer.

The provision of energy for your business is a huge part of overall running costs.  In order to reduce these costs you need an independent energy broker to purely concentrate all their efforts in negotiating the best prices for you and will be there to deal with any problems.  They won’t leave you to remember when your energy contracts need renewing – they will ensure that the existing energy provider deserves to retain the contract.  If there is a better solution available for your business energy, then a specialist broker will be there to discuss the alternatives with you.  Your independent broker will speak to the energy supplier to negotiate a better deal with them.  In other words when you have the services of an independent specialist energy broker they concentrate all of their efforts in providing the best service for you, their client.  They only deal with energy – not with other services to try and capture every visitor who lands on their website.

Your specialist broker will know the current energy market backwards, and instantly know all the prices.  They can tell you that gas prices haven’t yet reduced even though the wholesale gas price has come down dramatically.  If you want to reduce your running costs talk to the experts.

Now…the car needs servicing, so let’s ring the baker…