The business energy industry is certainly a complex and sometimes misunderstood one. And with many technical aspects to understand and jargon, there can be a lot of confusion and mis-information. Leading to the spread of myths and misconceptions that result in many not knowing what is fact or fiction. In this blog we will delve into the most common business energy myths and help decipher what is true and what isn’t, so you can have a clearer understanding of business energy and what you are paying for.   Myth 1: Switching business energy suppliers is time consuming and complicated One of the biggest myths in the business energy industry is that switching suppliers is a long, complicated process. Many believe that it will take up a lot of their valuable time when in reality, it can be done quickly and easily. With an increase in online tools and comparison websites available, businesses now have the resources to compare energy plans and switch in a matter of minutes. And with a few simple details and meter readings, you can ensure you are getting the best deal for your energy needs. It is also worth noting that switching suppliers does not require any major changes or installations in your business premises. In fact, everything remains the same from your perspective as a customer, except for a potential decrease in your energy bills. If you are interested in switching business energy suppliers and would like to know more about the services we provide, speak to an energy expert of our team for a quote.   Myth 2: All business energy suppliers are the same Another common misconception is that all business energy suppliers offer the same services and prices. This could not be further from the truth. Business energy suppliers vary greatly in terms of their pricing, customer service, and renewable energy options. It’s important to research and compare different suppliers to find the one that best fits your business’s needs and requirements.   Myth 3: Renewable energy is too expensive for businesses Many businesses believe that switching to renewable energy sources will result in a significant increase in their energy bills. However, this myth has been debunked as renewable energy prices have become increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuel options. In fact, investing in renewable energy can actually save businesses money in the long run due to lower operating costs and potential tax incentives.   Myth 4: Energy efficiency is only for large corporations Some may believe that implementing energy efficiency measures is only feasible for large corporations with big budgets. However, even small businesses can benefit from simple changes such as switching to LED lights or installing smart energy meters. These changes can significantly decrease energy consumption and save businesses money on their energy bills.   Myth 5: Businesses have no control over their energy usage Many believe that once they sign a contract with an energy supplier, they have no control over how much energy they use or the cost of their bills. However, there are many ways for businesses to actively manage and control their energy usage. This includes implementing energy-efficient practices, monitoring energy consumption through smart meters, and negotiating with suppliers for better rates.   Myth 6: Energy suppliers can cut off your supply without warning There is a common fear that if businesses miss a payment or fall behind on their bills, their energy supplier will immediately cut off their supply without any notice. However, this is not the case. Suppliers are required to provide a warning and give businesses time to make payments before taking any action. At D-ENERGi we will work with you to ensure that you can cover your payments, and for any reason you may not be able to, our team will support you with the implementation of an affordable payment plan.   Myth 7: Fixed price business energy plans are always the best option Fixed price business energy plans may seem like a good deal at first glance as they offer a set price for a certain period of time. However, these plans can also come with hidden fees and penalties for early termination. It’s important for businesses to carefully read the terms and conditions of their energy plans before committing to a fixed rate. One thing to note is that with every business energy supplier and every contract, different rules apply. If you are a business energy customer, it is important to pay attention to the terms and conditions of your own contract and ensure that you understand everything that is included with your energy supplier. Speak to our friendly experts to get a quick and tailored quote for your business.

Half-hourly electricity meters are most often used by larger businesses and corporations, particularly by those who use a large amount of energy. They are designed to provide more accurate bills helping to reduce the risk of businesses spending too much on energy without realising.   What is a half-hourly electricity meter  Using automatic meter reading technology a half-hourly electricity meter will provide automatic readings every half hour. As this is done automatically and is reported to your electricity supplier using a mobile signal or phone line, your bills no longer need to be estimated. Meaning, that as a business you will not have to take your own meter readings, nor will you experience over-estimated bills that require overspending on your electricity. In fact, not only are half-hourly meters preferred by UK businesses, they are typically installed as a mandatory requirement for UK businesses with peak loads of more than 100,000 kWh of electricity per year.   The advantages of a half-hourly electricity meter  There are plenty of benefits that come with opting for half-hourly electricity meters. For businesses looking to save on their energy bills, this is the preferred option. Not only do these meters ensure you do not overspend and you avoid estimated energy bills, but they also help you to better understand your energy consumption. Allowing you to review your company’s energy usage and reduce this where possible. For larger companies looking to improve their carbon footprint, half-hourly meter readings will allow you to take the first steps in reducing your carbon emissions. Setting goals and seeing a visible reduction in the amount of energy you use will be easy with the data provided by a half-hourly meter. Other advantages of using a half-hourly meter for your business energy include, being able to predict your energy usage and experience more tailored tariffs from your energy supplier.   Save your energy bills At D-ENERGi, we offer half-hourly meters to businesses across the UK. We currently supply hundreds of half-hourly meters to sites up and down the country. With customers benefiting from more accurate energy bills, data to review their energy usage, and significant saving on their energy bills. With our experience working with UK businesses and supplying business energy to a wide range of businesses, we are well equipped to deal with a vast array of customer requirements. This includes increasing your capacity or helping you with Meter Operator Agreements. At D-ENERGi, all our energy business customers get their own dedicated account manager. They are able to help you with any requirements or enquiries promptly and provide the best half-hourly electricity prices for you. We ensure that all calls will be answered within five rings or less. Get a quick quote from our friendly team and start saving your energy costs today.

When submitting an electricity meter reading to your business energy supplier or providing information about your meter when switching suppliers, there’s a few things you need to look for. In this latest blog we will explain how to read different business meter types and explain what your MPAN and MPRN numbers are and where you can find them.   Reading your business electricity meter Reading your meter should be simple, although we understand that posed with this requirement may leave you slightly confused at what to look at or what the numbers mean if you have never done this before or have a new meter. Firstly, there are several different types of meters, so it is important to identify which type you have. However, for the most part, what you will see is a display of numbers, typically six numbers, which identify units of kWh. Reading most typical meters will require you to write down all the numbers you see from left to right. This number indicates to your supplier how much energy you have used. If you have another type of meter display such as a two rate meter, you may see two different displays of numbers. These are usually your off peak and peak or ‘normal’ units of electricity used. If your business energy supplier requires both sets of numbers then supply both, reading from left to right.   What are your MPAN & MPRN numbers? Two numbers that you may be required to supply your business energy supplier with, particularly if you are a new customer is your MPAN and MPRN numbers. Your MPAN number is used to identify your electricity meter and allows your supplier to decide rates for your electricity. You can find your MPAN number on your electricity meter, it consists of 21 digits and will often be displayed in seven small boxes with a capital S at the beginning of the display. Your MPRN number, on the other hand, is not located directly on the meter, but can be found on your gas bills. Your MPRN number is related to gas supply and confirms to your new supplier that they are taking over the right energy supply.   Submitting your meter reading If you are a D-ENERGi business energy customer, we make it simple for you to submit your meter readings directly through our website. Here, you can submit your meter readings by supplying us with your name, account number, email address, date of your reading, and meter serial number. If you run into any problems when trying to submit your latest meter readings we suggest getting in touch with the team for some assistance. We can also take these readings over the phone if you find that easier.   Make meter readings even easier with a smart meter Don’t want the hassle of manually reading and submitting your meter readings? Why not make the switch to a smart meter today? Join the rollout phase of smart meters for business across the nation with our installation partners. At D-ENERGi, we can provide you with a business smart meter and can have this installed by one of our installation partners. Automatically submit meter readings in real time to your supplier Track your business energy consumption thanks to the handy Consumer Access Device Bring an end to estimated billing, you will be billed for the energy you actually use A smart meter is a very good choice for businesses who may have difficulty accessing their standard meter, making readings difficult to retrieve   Register now for your business smart meter.  

Now that Spring is officially here, we’re anticipating at least some sunnier days on the horizon. And while much of your energy costs will be higher in winter, it is always a good idea to plan for the next few months ahead and take the necessary steps to prepare your business for any changes that may occur due to a shift in the season and the weather.   The importance of energy efficiency in summer With the push for greener business practices throughout the UK by the government and environmentalists, energy efficiency can be practised year round. With several practices being especially applicable during the summer months. This summer, keep your carbon emissions low and continue on your journey to net zero emissions with our top tips and best practices.   Assess current energy usage Leaving the winter months behind and awaiting the warmth of summer, the next few months provide the ideal opportunity to review and evaluate your current energy usage. Looking for ways to cut your energy costs and identify areas of your business that require improvement.   The importance of understanding your current energy consumption Staying in the know and being on top of your business energy bills provides you with greater insight into what you are paying and why. Leaving the high consuming energy periods of autumn and winter in the past, you should take a look over your most recent energy bills and assess where and when you have spent the most money and why. Perhaps there was a peak in your energy consumption during a particular month or you have debt with your supplier that you will now need to settle.   Tips on how to conduct an energy audit for your business One of the best ways to understand how your business uses energy is to conduct an energy audit. We recently wrote an article explaining in detail what an energy audit is and the best way to conduct one. This article can be found here. However here are some simple tips on conducting an energy audit for your business:   Understand Your Energy Bills Assess Building Systems and Equipment Use Energy Monitoring Tools Conduct a Building Envelope Assessment Review Operating Schedules   Highlighting the benefits of identifying areas for improvement Finding areas of your business that are consuming high levels of energy or require improvements offers you the perfect place to start to ensure your business is ready for the summer months and is adhering to your new energy audit recommendations by the time winter inevitably arrives once more. This first step is the perfect stepping stone to provide you with the information you need to ensure your business is running efficiently and saving on energy costs this summer.   Upgrade to energy-efficient equipment For those areas of improvements highlighted in your business energy audit, you should consider upgrading your equipment, machinery and business tools to energy efficient alternatives where possible. While this may be a big investment for your business, there is support available from the UK government and tax incentives that may make such changes to your business more affordable. We suggest that you search the GOV.UK site for more information about schemes, relief and taxes for the support of businesses going green. An area to focus on during summer in particular would be your HVAC system. Providing cool air in summer and during warm days, the HVAC system should be well maintained and monitored to ensure it is running smoothly and is not consuming excessive amounts of energy.   Implement smart energy management practices Much like the winter months it’s just as important to implement and encourage proper smart energy management practices within your business. From the top to the bottom, every member of your team should be aware of the business’ goals for cutting carbon emissions and the areas in which they should be applying energy efficient practices. From keeping the working environment at a consistent temperature, especially on hot summer days, to turning off lights and reducing the use of energy draining equipment. Those in charge of the maintenance of equipment should certainly have particular systems serviced before summer. Including air conditioning units, refrigeration systems and water pumps.   Harness renewable energy sources Summer may be the perfect time for you to switch to renewable energy sources. Allowing you time to adjust to this change and cover the cost of any investment before winter rolls around. From solar panels to accessing wind energy and geothermal systems, there’s several options for a variety of businesses in different industries. Offering excellent cost savings and the chance to improve the energy efficiency of your business. Plus, such a decision may allow you access to relief from certain green taxes implemented by the government.   At D-ENERGi we supply all our electricity via D-ENERGi Trading from UK based wind farms. Supplying 100% renewable electricity to our business energy customers. Also supplying the best and competitive price for business electricity, with tailored solution that suits your business needs. Making us unique within the business energy sector and a perfect alternative to the big energy suppliers in the UK. Find out more about switching today with a free quote from us or contact us on 0800 781 7626.