Getting a business energy quote takes five minutes. Understanding what you're actually being quoted takes longer, and that's where most businesses lose money.

This guide covers how to compare business energy quotes online, what information you'll need, the difference between tariff types, and why the price you see rarely reflects the true cost of power.

How to compare business energy quotes online

A business energy quote is an estimate from a supplier showing what you'll pay for gas and electricity. It breaks down your unit rate (the cost per kWh you use), your standing charge (a daily fixed fee), your contract length, and any exit fees. Getting quotes online takes minutes. With business energy bills 70% above pre-crisis levels, comparing them properly can save you thousands.

1. Gather your current energy details

Start with a recent energy bill. You'll want three things: your current tariff, your annual energy usage in kWh, and your contract end date.

That last one matters more than most people realise. Miss your contract end date, and your supplier moves you onto out-of-contract rates. Those rates can be double or triple what you were paying.

2. Enter your business information

Online comparison tools ask for basic details to generate accurate quotes. You'll typically enter your business postcode, business type, and meter numbers.

For electricity, that's your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number). For gas, it's your MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number). Both appear on your bills, usually near the top of the first page.

3. Review and compare quotes

When comparing quotes, look beyond the headline price. A low unit rate means little if the standing charge is inflated or the contract locks you in for three years with steep exit fees.

• Unit rate: the cost per kWh of energy you use

• Standing charge: the daily fixed fee, regardless of how much energy you consume

• Contract length: how long you're locked into the tariff

• Exit fees: penalties for leaving the contract early

4. Select your supplier and switch

Once you've chosen a quote, confirm the switch. Your new supplier handles everything from there, including notifying your old one. The process is the same whether you run a hotel, a warehouse, or a shop — here's a step-by-step guide to switching that walks through the detail.

Your energy supply continues uninterrupted throughout. The whole process typically takes two to four weeks.

What you need for a business energy quote

To get an accurate quote, you'll want a few pieces of information ready before you start.

Your current supplier and contract end date

Knowing when your contract ends helps you time your switch. Leave it too late, and you risk rolling onto deemed rates, which cost far more than negotiated tariffs.

Recent energy bills or annual usage

Suppliers use your historical consumption to calculate quotes. This figure appears on your bills as an annual total in kilowatt-hours (kWh). If you can't find it, your current supplier can provide it.

Business address and meter details

You'll enter your business address and meter numbers. The MPAN identifies your electricity meter. The MPRN identifies your gas meter. Both are printed on your bills.

Authorisation to switch

The person requesting the quote and agreeing to the switch needs authority to sign contracts on behalf of the business. If that's not you, loop in whoever holds that responsibility before you get too far along.

Small business vs large business energy quotes

The quoting process differs depending on your consumption level.

Quotes for small businesses

Small businesses, including microbusinesses, typically use online comparison tools to get instant quotes. The process is quick. Contracts are usually straightforward fixed-rate tariffs. You can compare business electricity online in under ten minutes.

Quotes for large and multi-site businesses

A large business energy quote usually requires tailored pricing. Higher consumption means more negotiating power, but also more complexity. Many large businesses work with specialist brokers or contact suppliers directly to secure bespoke contracts.

Fixed vs flexible business energy tariffs

Understanding tariff types helps you choose the right contract for your situation.

Fixed rate tariffs

Fixed rate tariffs lock in your unit rate and standing charge for the contract duration, typically one to three years. The upside is budget certainty. Your prices stay the same even if wholesale markets spike.

The downside? If wholesale prices fall, you won't benefit.

Flexible and variable tariffs

With flexible tariffs, your rates move with the wholesale market. When prices drop, you save. When they rise, you pay more.

Flexible tariffs suit larger businesses with the appetite for risk and the resources to track market movements.

Pass-through pricing

Pass-through contracts separate the wholesale cost of energy from other charges like network costs and supplier margins. You pay the wholesale cost plus a transparent management fee.

This model gives you clear visibility into what you're actually paying for. tem's RED uses pass-through pricing, so businesses see the true cost of their power without hidden layers.

Why business energy prices include hidden markups

The traditional supply model involves several layers between the generator and your business. Each layer adds cost.

• Wholesale purchase: Suppliers buy energy in bulk on trading markets, often months or years in advance

• Supplier margin: A markup covers operational costs, risk, and profit

• Broker commission: If a third-party intermediary arranged your contract, their commission is often embedded in your unit rate — a practice Ofgem now requires to be disclosed on all non-domestic contracts

• Lack of visibility: Businesses rarely see a breakdown of costs, making it difficult to know the true price of the energy itself

This is why two businesses with identical consumption can pay wildly different amounts. The energy is the same. The markups aren't.

How to find the cheapest business energy quote

Finding the cheapest deal involves more than picking the lowest headline rate.

Compare quotes before your contract ends

Start comparing business utility prices four to six weeks before your renewal date. This gives you time to assess the market without being rushed into a decision.

Avoid rolling onto deemed rates

If you don't switch or renew before your contract ends, your supplier moves you onto out-of-contract rates. One rugby club we work with saw their bills jump from £8,000 to £27,000 after a supplier reclassification. Acting early prevents that.

Choose a supplier that shows the true cost

The cheapest quote isn't always the one with the lowest unit rate. Hidden fees and opaque charges inflate the final bill.

Tip: Ask any supplier for a full breakdown of your quote, including wholesale cost, network charges, and their margin. If they can't provide it, that tells you something.

Review usage and reduce waste

Comparing quotes is one lever for reducing costs. The other is reducing consumption. Even small efficiency measures, like LED lighting or better heating controls, compound over time.

Compare business gas and electricity together

Most comparison tools let you get business gas and electricity quotes at the same time. There's no dual fuel discount in the business market like there is for domestic customers.

However, sourcing both from a single supplier can simplify billing and account management. One invoice instead of two. One account manager instead of none.

Green energy quotes for UK businesses

For businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint, several options exist.

Renewable electricity tariffs

Many suppliers offer green tariffs backed by REGOs (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin). A REGO is a certificate proving that a unit of electricity was generated from a renewable source.

REGOs are a step in the right direction, though the energy itself still comes through the same grid as everyone else's. That said, renewable energy is often cheaper than fossil fuels — 91% of new renewable projects cost less than fossil fuel alternatives, so going green doesn't have to mean paying more.

Buying direct from generators

Some modern supply models connect businesses directly to renewable generators like solar farms, wind operators, or anaerobic digestion plants. This approach removes intermediaries from the supply chain.

tem's Renewable Energy Deal (RED) facilitates this direct connection, giving businesses access to 100% renewable energy at a transparent price.

Why businesses switch energy suppliers

Businesses switch for several reasons. Price is only part of the picture.

Lower prices and better rates

The most common reason to switch is securing lower unit rates and standing charges. Even a small reduction per kWh adds up across a year's consumption.

Contract expiry and renewal

The end of a fixed-term contract is a natural trigger point. It's the moment when comparing the market makes the most sense.

Clearer billing and visibility

Some businesses switch not just for a better price, but for greater transparency. Knowing exactly what you're paying for, and why, changes how you manage energy costs.

What transparent business energy pricing looks like

Genuine transparency goes beyond a simple price. It means seeing every component of your bill.

• Visible unit cost breakdown: Exactly how much you pay for wholesale energy versus network costs, taxes, and supplier margin

• No hidden broker commissions: All fees declared upfront, not buried in your unit rate

• Bills based on actual consumption: Invoices generated from real meter readings, often half-hourly data, not estimates

• Real-time data access: Tools to see your consumption as it happens, so you can manage usage more effectively

This is what tem's RED delivers. Businesses see the true cost of their power, with no hidden layers.

A better way to get business energy quotes

The traditional business energy market rewards opacity. Middlemen add markups. Brokers embed commissions. Suppliers bundle costs in ways that make comparison difficult.

tem's Renewable Energy Deal (RED) offers a structural alternative. It connects businesses directly to independent renewable generators, removing the wholesale market and supplier markups. The result is 100% renewable energy at a fair, transparent price.

Gorseinon RFC, a Welsh rugby club, saved £10,000 in their first year with tem. That wasn't a fluke. It was the result of a system that works differently.

Let's talk.

FAQs about business energy quotes

How long does it take to switch business energy suppliers?

Switching typically takes two to four weeks. Some suppliers offer faster transfers. Your energy supply continues uninterrupted throughout the process.

Can I switch business energy supplier if I am still in a contract?

You can arrange a switch while in a contract, but you may face early exit fees. Check your contract terms or ask your current supplier for the exact penalty. For more on how switching works, see our frequently asked questions.

What happens if I do not renew my business energy contract before it ends?

You'll be rolled onto a deemed or out-of-contract rate. Deemed rates cost far more than negotiated tariffs. Compare quotes and agree a new contract before your current one expires.

Do I need to inform my current supplier when I switch?

No. Your new supplier handles the entire switch, including notifying your current supplier. You don't need to contact them separately.

Will switching business energy suppliers interrupt my supply?

No. The switch is purely administrative. Gas and electricity continue flowing through the same pipes, wires, and meters.

How often should I compare business energy quotes?

Compare quotes annually or whenever your fixed-term contract approaches renewal. Market rates shift constantly, so regular comparison helps you avoid overpaying.

What is a deemed contract and why should I avoid one?

A deemed contract is the default tariff you're placed on when your fixed contract ends without a new agreement. Deemed rates are significantly higher than negotiated rates. Avoid them by switching or renewing before your contract expires.