It has never been more important to understand how your business is charged for energy and gas. How is the Meter your key stakeholder in your business enterprise? Truth be told VAT and CCL charges will continue to drive the prices upward in the business energy monitoring systems.
Thus, it is more important to understand how the business is metered and how you are charged if you are looking for some commercial energy solutions.
Metering might look to be tactical position however the fact is it could potentially be catalyst to vast savings. Whether you are relocating, expanding, or just suffering another inflated utility bill, obtaining the correct type of electricity or gas meter, with the correct installation will change this dynamic.
Here at E for Energy, we help businesses all over the UK mitigate their electricity costs by connecting them with suppliers that offer the lowest cost per unit and help them with the critical upgrades all in one go, like, installation of other meters or upgrades when applicable.
The Meters- electric or gas, are the initial devices your utility provider uses to determine your consumption and how to bill you. If your business is still relying on an old, unreliable meter that just guesses your usage, you could be shelling out way more money than necessary.
Take smart meters or half-hourly meters, for instance. They dish out your consumption numbers in real-time, or at least very frequently, letting suppliers give you more precise – and possibly cheaper – rates. Plus, they banish the risk of your energy use being guessed too low or too high, which is super important for businesses where energy needs are all over the place, like hotels, data centers, or factories.
On top of that, lots of energy companies save their sweetest deals for customers sporting the latest meters. So, if your company’s stuck in the past with an analog or even an outdated digital meter, you might be missing out on better prices simply because your usage data isn’t top-notch.
Business gas meter installation isn’t a big hassle, though it does call for meticulous planning—and it’s not always obvious who needs to take care of it. Typically, either your energy supplier or your nearby network operator will handle the setup, based on the kind of meter and the extent of the task.
Typically, this process includes:
• A site survey to determine suitability and safety
• Arranging downtime/ access in the event the meter is not located in a hallway
• Making sure your site is compliant with regulations under UK energy legislation
This is where E for Energy gets involved. We act on your behalf to liaise with suppliers, make sure regulatory obligations are met and the installation is completed in a timely manner that does not disrupt your day-day operations. Whether you require a meter installation or multiple meter installations across your networks, we can make the entire process efficient, straightforward, and hassle-free.
A lot of businesses are astonished to see how much stuff is listed on their energy bills — and how much they can drive — the way and time energy is used. Here is a run-down:
| Charge | What It Is | How Smart meters for businesses Aid? |
| Unit Rate (p/kWh) | Energy usage unit pricing | Enables you to track usage in real-time and switch to lower price periods |
| Standing Charge | Your energy company will charge a set daily rate | No direct impact, but better usage data may help you renegotiate this |
| VAT (Value Added Tax) | 20% tax on energy for businesses (some exemptions for low use or charitable organizations) | A smart meter helps support eligibility for reduced VAT by evidencing actual consumption |
| Climate Change Levy (CCL) | Environmental tax based on usage | Smart meters can help you use green energy and support auditing to reduce CCL liability |
The scholars of business energy monitoring systems often advocate correct meter reading. If you have consumption data via smart or half hourly meters, you will experience the following benefits:
• Identify spikes in excessive use.
• Reduce peak time charge risk.
• Be eligible for greener tariffs reducing your CCL liability.
• Spot billing errors that could run to the thousands.
At E for Energy our team conducts a full energy usage audit for each client. We explore your metering data to not only reduce your per unit rates but also to remove the inefficiencies pulling your total bill higher.
Lots of businesses only think about commercial smart meter upgrade when they move into new premises – which is a good thing to do. When you have a change of tenancy (COT), you can:
• Re-evaluate your supplier and tariff
• Install a newer meter and
• Start as you mean to go on with a better billing relationship
In fact, even though you are not moving now may be an advantageous time of year to assess your metering. Energy prices are still very volatile because of global demand changes, geopolitical issues and problems with supply chains. Agreeing competitive rates now – through better metering – will insulate your business from future price increases.
Industries that consume a lot or that consume uncertain levels e.g. hospitality, IT infrastructure and manufacturing, can benefit the most. Even improved monitoring of usage and tariffs can generate thousands of pounds worth of savings every year.
How E for Energy Enables Savings
E for Energy works on helping UK businesses reduce their electricity price – and metering is an important aspect of this.
We support your journey from start to finish:
• Energy usage review – we look at your consumption to understand the best meter type and tariff.
• Rate analysis – we source the cheapest suppliers based on your energy profile and provide a comparison.
• Metering consultation and management – we find out when a new meter is to be installed, make bookings and manage compliance on your behalf.
• Continued support – we keep an eye on the energy market and can help you switch again if a better option arises.
As an example, a hotel chain we supported in Birmingham saved over 18% on their annual energy costs – just by upgrading to smart meters and switching suppliers at the right time.
Upgrading to a commercial smart meter is no longer simply a technical upgrade; it is part of a larger strategy around controlling energy costs and energy efficiency. Smart meters provide real-time data on energy consumption so that businesses can observe their own processes as they relate to energy consumption, establish patterns of use, avoid peak-time rate tariffs where possible, and make other informed decisions.
Overtime this learning leads to waste elimination, improved operational efficiency and leverage with suppliers. Smart meters also provide long-term support for future energy initiatives such as demand-side response and renewable integration.
If businesses are interested in surviving in a dynamic, fast-paced marketplace and capitalising on opportunities for continuous investment in sustainability, an upgrade to a smart meter is a one-off payment with permanent benefit to energy savings and waste to land fill consistently and repeatedly.
Installing or upgrading your electricity or gas meter might feel like a relatively small matter, but it is a significant means of taking control of your energy costs and its one of the most impactful measures.
With E for Energy, you’re not on your own. From the negotiation of the specific type of meter, installation, goals of lowest cost of unit per energy and optimising your bill with VAT and CCL exemptions, we’re with you every step of the way.
Are you ready to stop overpaying for your energy?
Book a free energy audit with E for Energy today and as the first positive step toward lower energy costs, make smarter metering!