Businesses encouraged to review energy tariffs

Small businesses and farm owners are being encouraged to take a closer look at the potential advantages of switching electricity provider.

The call comes following Energy Savings Week, with Budget Energy urging business owners to make sure that they are on a tariff which is specifically tailored to their needs.

With operating costs remaining high and margins under pressure, reviewing energy tariffs could offer a straightforward way to reduce overheads.

It comes as a report from Enterprise Northern Ireland, in conjunction with the British Business Bank, showed that 73% of firms have concerns over increased energy costs. It added that rising energy costs are one of the reasons why the pause button has been pressed by many local enterprises.

Switching energy provider could help ease some of this pressure. By shopping around, businesses may find suppliers offering more competitive rates, flexible pricing structures and improved customer service.

However, businesses are not always open to switching. Last year a survey commissioned by Budget Energy revealed that 42% of firms have never changed electricity provider.

Sean O’Loughlin, managing director of Budget Energy, said that business owners should give switching serious consideration, adding that it’s not as hard as you might think.

“There can be perception that the switching process is a challenge, but it’s not complicated at all,” he said.

“Once you agree your tariff it's all worked out for you. You'll get a final bill from your old company and then a new one from your new supplier."

“The benefits can be hugely significant for customers, especially in this economic climate and that’s for all companies not just Budget Energy. For customers who have never switched, they really should be looking at all suppliers in the market and it's not a difficult thing to do.”

He added: “At Budget Energy we strive to be as competitive on price as we can, and we also try to give the best customer experience that we can."

“We want our customers to be able to easily speak to us on the phone and have their enquiry, no matter how small or large, dealt with in an empathetic and caring way.”

Tools do exist to make the process easier. One way for farms and businesses to assess whether they could reduce costs is by using the Consumer Council’s business electricity price comparison tool.

It calculates its results using up to date tariffs that suppliers provide to the Consumer Council and the energy consumption that you provide.

To find out more and get a quote from Budget Energy for your business visit budgetenergy.co.uk. For more on the Consumer Council’s electricity price comparison tool visit consumercouncil.org