Business Gas Suppliers

Business Gas Suppliers – Ranked! | December 2023

Businesses across Britain need a reliable mains gas supply to heat water and to keep buildings warm. Having a business gas supplier that you can trust and that charges you a fair price for your gas gives business owners peace of mind.

In Britain, there are over 50 different licenced business gas suppliers to choose from. So, to help you navigate this confusing market, we’ve prepared this ultimate guide to business gas suppliers.

Here are a couple of links to get you to the right place:

• Biggest business gas suppliers
• Best business gas suppliers
• Gas suppliers for a small business
• Cheapest business gas suppliers

Best business gas suppliers

There are a few different ways to measure the best business gas supplier. In this section, we’ll explore different aspects of the best business gas suppliers.

Here are the highest rated business gas suppliers on Trustpilot using verified customer reviews:

• Octopus Energy* – 4.8 on Trustpilot with a massive 192,000 reviews.
• Assured Energy – 5.0 on Trustpilot but with a small review base of 622 reviews.
• United Gas and Power – 4.8 on Trustpilot from 602 reviews.

Source: Extracted from Trustpilot in November 2023

*A large portion of the thousands of reviews Octopus Energy receives come from their domestic customers.

Cheapest business gas supplier

When choosing a business gas supplier, one factor is typically at the forefront of people’s minds. Which business gas supplier is the cheapest?

Unfortunately, there’s no single answer to which business gas supplier is the cheapest since:

• Business gas suppliers update their prices almost every day,
• The underlying wholesale cost of gas changes each day,
• The cost of a business gas depends on your location in the country,
• The more gas you consume, the cheaper the available rates,

We can, however, tell you which is the cheapest business supplier for your commercial property in today’s market. Simply enter your postcode in our business gas suppliers comparison tool above.

Greenest business gas suppliers

It’s difficult to compare the green credentials of commercial gas suppliers directly. Still, Green Energy UK claims to be the only company supplying 100% green gas.

Green Energy UK produces its green gas (aka biomethane) through the anaerobic digestion of farm, food and landfill waste.

Small business gas suppliers

The commercial gas market is dominated by some huge business gas suppliers, like British Gas, but market deregulation has allowed smaller, bespoke business gas suppliers to enter the market. These are also great options for small businesses looking for a different option.

Here are five examples of small business gas suppliers that offer something a little different:

Who is my business gas supplier?

Your business gas supplier is the company that is currently supplying your commercial property with a gas supply. The easiest way to find your business gas supplier is to find your most recent business energy bill.

An alternative solution is to go to the Energy Network Association site and find out who your gas network operator is. You can then call your gas network operator, and they’ll be able to tell you both your current business gas supplier and the MPRN associated with your property.

Which business gas suppliers in the UK have gone bust?

Source: Ofgem publication.

Commercial gas suppliers

Commercial energy suppliers provide a mains natural gas supply to any non-domestic properties in the UK. Here are the key questions often asked about commercial gas suppliers.

Who distributes for commercial gas suppliers?

In the UK, gas distribution to commercial properties involves several layers of organisations:

• National transmission network operated by the national grid.
• Regional gas distribution networks owned by one of SGN, Northern Gas Networks, Cadent and Wales & West Utilities.
• Local independent gas transporters operated by various private companies.

Commercial gas suppliers pay distribution and network costs to these organisations to transport natural gas to your property.

Do all commercial gas suppliers offer the same prices?

No, in the commercial gas market, each supplier determines their own pricing. Since there is no business energy price cap, commercial gas suppliers can theoretically choose any price for their customers.

Since the 50 or so business gas suppliers offer their own business gas rates, it’s important to compare a range of suppliers to get the best price. That’s where our business gas comparison service comes in handy. Get the best prices today from our panel of trusted business gas suppliers.

Renewable gas suppliers

Natural gas supplied to commercial properties is a fossil fuel that produces carbon dioxide when used in a gas boiler. This direct greenhouse gas emission makes offering green gas a little tricky for business gas suppliers.

Let’s compare the different options for a more environmentally friendly business gas supply:

Renewable biogas supply – A biogas supplier will commit to a certain amount of its gas supply to be biogas. Biogas is a renewable form of biofuel produced by decaying plants and food waste.

Carbon offset gas supply – In a carbon offset gas business gas rate, your supplier will commit to offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions associated with your gas supply. A carbon offset works by financing carbon reduction projects across the world.

Business gas suppliers – frequently asked questions

Here, we answer your burning questions surrounding business gas suppliers. From how to find a suitable gas supplier to considerations you must make as a business.

What are business gas suppliers?

A business gas supplier is an Ofgem-licenced company that provides a natural gas supply through the mains network to non-domestic properties.

Here’s how business gas suppliers provide gas suppliers to commercial properties:

First, the supplier will purchase natural gas on the wholesale market from either:

• Extractors of natural gas, most of which operate in the North Sea.
• Importers of natural gas from the European market through interconnectors (undersea gas pipelines).
• Importers of natural gas from the Middle East or the US using liquid natural gas.

The supplier then moves this natural gas through the gas distribution network to your business property.

The amount of gas your business uses (in kWh) is measured by a gas meter at your property.

Your business gas supplier will bill you for the gas your property uses based upon rates agreed in your business gas tariff.

It’s easy to compare business gas by using our simple business gas comparison tool.

What should I consider when choosing a business gas supplier?

With so many different business gas suppliers, sometimes it isn’t easy to choose. Here are the top factors to consider when choosing a business gas supplier:

Customer service – What are current customers saying about the business gas supplier? Trustpilot is a great place to start.

Environmental factors – Using natural gas directly emits carbon dioxide into the environment. Does the business gas supplier do anything like planting forests to offset this effect?

Notice period – How much notice do you give when coming to the end of your fixed contract? (see our guide on coming to the end of a business energy contract)

Business gas rates – Crucially, which business gas supplier offers the cheapest business gas rates.

Should I accept my business gas renewal or switch suppliers?

It entirely depends on the offer.

Due to the current energy crisis, your renewal quote will likely be significantly higher than what you currently pay. In these times of rising prices, ensuring you get a competitive deal is more important than ever.

We recommend comparing your renewal quote against other quotes offered in the market. To compare the market, you can use our business gas comparison tool to review the latest available gas quotes.

How do I make a complaint to my business gas supplier?

Business gas suppliers must have a customer services department to handle customer complaints. We recommend calling your supplier and explaining the problem if you have a complaint. Business gas suppliers don’t like bad reviews, so most will make the utmost effort to resolve any issues you’re having.

If you’re unsatisfied, you can formalise your complaint using a letter. The Citizens Advice Bureau have published a template you can use for your letter.

Ofgem, the gas market regulator, sets out a final step. If you reach eight weeks of dialogue with your business energy supplier without resolution, you can escalate your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman:

Contact number: 0330 440 1624.
Website: https://www.ombudsman-services.org/complain-now

How much can I save by switching business gas suppliers?

The current business gas tariffs suppliers offer depend heavily on the underlying wholesale market for gas. If the wholesale price of gas goes up, then contracts available become more expensive.

If you pay out-of-contract rates on default business gas prices, the savings could be massive.

Use our business gas comparison tool to compare prices today and determine how much your business can save.

Can I switch to a business gas supplier during the winter months?

Yes, you can switch business gas during the winter months. However, if you’re currently in a contract with a supplier, you’ll need to ensure your new business gas supplier takes over on the day your contract ends.

You can secure new business gas rates with most providers 12 months before your contract ends. You must check your current contract to ensure you can compare the latest prices.

Compare the latest business gas prices and tariffs.

Which business gas supplier has no standing charge?

Most of the large business gas suppliers will have the option to provide your business with a kWh rate without the daily business energy standing charge.

However, with the removal of the standing charge, you’ll find the cost of the business gas per kWh unit will be a bit higher.

Depending on the consumption of your business, you may want to consider how much gas you’ll be using daily. There’s a chance you’ll be paying more without the fixed standing charge.

We recommend you compare business gas rates and understand the range of tariffs and prices. Comparing business gas prices will give you a much better scope of what’s on offer and allow you the time to calculate if the fixed standing charge being removed makes sense financially.

Overall, we advise that you compare the different rates on offer and decide based on your actual consumption. This way, you won’t overpay for your business gas rates if you choose the no-standing charge option.

What deals are offered by business gas suppliers?

Although gas supply contracts come in lots of different sizes, here are the most common tariffs offered by business gas suppliers:

Fixed-rate – You agree to pay a fixed unit rate per kWh and a fixed daily standing charge for an agreed period (typically 1 to 3 years).

Variable rate – The price you pay per unit kWh will change through the contract depending on wholesale business gas prices.

Green business – Uses either green biogas or carbon credits to provide a carbon-neutral natural gas supply.

How long does it take to switch business gas suppliers?

Typically, businesses will arrange to switch business gas suppliers months before their contract ends so that the switch occurs the day their current contract ends.

However, if you’re currently paying gas on a deemed contract and want to switch to an “as soon as possible” basis, it’ll usually take 17 to 21 days to complete your switch to a new business gas supplier.

Here’s our complete guide to switching business gas suppliers for more information.

I’m moving premises, do I need to switch my business gas supplier?

Not necessarily; there are two options for your business gas supply when moving premises. These are:

• Transfer it to your new premises
• Or, cancel your contract and set up a new business gas supplier in your new premises.

If you decide to cancel your gas contract, you can use our termination letter template here.

If you decide to transfer your existing gas contract, your current business gas supplier will have a team to manage the change and ensure it’s ready for the day you move in.

Whichever option you decide when moving out of your existing premises, you will need to provide your current business gas supplier with a final reading – this ensures you only pay for the gas you’ve used.

You should be able to notify your current supplier online or at least over the phone. They’ll need the following information from you:

• Your account number(s)
• Final meter readings
• Your lease end date.
• The address and postcode of your new premises.

You’ll also need to give the new owner or business name at your old location to help suppliers set up the new occupant’s supply.

For more information, check out our full guide to business premises relocation.

What happens if my business gas supplier goes out of business?

Unfortunately, failures of business gas suppliers do happen. But fear not, Ofgem; the regulator will also ensure that there will be no interruption to your business gas supply if your provider goes bust.

If your supplier goes bust, Ofgem will appoint a business gas supplier of last resort to take over the supply of your business.

Once the transfer is complete, your new supplier will reach out to you to let you know that they’ve taken over the supply to your property. Your previous contract will be replaced with a standard-variable deemed contract with your new supplier.

Typically, your new contract will be needlessly expensive, but you can arrange to switch business gas suppliers to access cheaper rates.

We recommend using the AquaSwitch business gas comparison service to find the cheapest rates.

What are the benefits of a green business gas supplier?

Adopting a green business gas supplier is essential to improving your company’s environmental credentials by providing a carbon-neutral gas supply.

Most business gas suppliers provide their customers with a natural gas supply with two environmental issues: it’s non-renewable and directly emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when used.

A green business gas supplier offers a more environmentally friendly alternative by:

• Directly investing in carbon-negative projects such as planting forests to offset carbon emissions.
• Investing in carbon credits to indirectly invest in carbon-negative projects.
• Using locally produced bio-gas from anaerobic digestors (only available in certain regions).

Can you switch business gas suppliers if you work from home?

The answer to this is a no, unfortunately. You cannot switch to a business gas tariff if you work from home. The household market for gas and electricity contracts is separate from the business market and is regulated differently.

When can I change business gas supplier?

If you’re currently on a fixed business gas tariff, you must wait until your contract end date to arrange a business gas supplier switch.

However, you can arrange a switch up to a year before your contract-end-date. Begin comparing business gas suppliers by entering your contract end date into our smart comparison tool.