Power bills are one of the fastest-growing headaches a business has to contend with, and most of us need all the help we can in finding the best energy deal.
This is where Business Juice’s online calculator comes in. Business Juice http://www.businessjuice.co.uk/ is a corporate gas and electricity broker. It is devoted to assisting firms with the time-consuming business of saving on their energy bills, leaving companies free to concentrate on more growing their businesses.
The free, independent service aims to get you the most competitive rates via contract deals tailor-made to your company’s requirements. It says that open communication is essential to its goal of guiding clients through the maze of energy market deals to negotiate the best one.
So how does the energy calculator work?
Companies can see how markedly electricity bills have jumped since they last negotiated an energy deal. The broker has introduced its inaugural online energy calculator to help companies understand the level of latest price hikes in their area. By using the calculator businesses can estimate the possible savings to be made by changing to another power supplier. They can also give priority to switching deals when the chance arises.
What else can Business Juice do for your business in relation to energy bills?
• completion-of-deal reminders: never be caught off-guard again without preparation when your deal comes to an end. This service can also help you keep tabs with the best time to purchase a deal in the business energy market
• callback request: Business Juice endeavours to email or call your company in 15 minutes to get you a quote especially fitted to your firm’s needs
The future of business energy bills
The energy industry is in a period of uncertainty with the market being investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This is scrutinising the UK’s leading six suppliers after the Ofgem industry regulator said the industry isn’t functioning effectively. There are also matters to consider such as the effect that new European emissions laws could have on businesses.
Whatever happens, there is a growing lobby claiming that high energy bills are bad for business, especially with energy-intensive companies. Even the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, has warned that companies might cut jobs and investment unless high gas and electricity prices are kept under check. The UK’s Government is encouraging the business community to have a say over the consultation involving the future of energy prices.
What does the Federation of Small Businesses say?
The federation thinks the CMA’s probe is a key step to ensuring a fairer, more see-through energy market. It says that there is ‘clear evidence’ highlighting that small business energy users are being badly served by present rates of competition. Federation national chairman John Allan believes that the Government, Ofgem and energy firms should work closely with the FSB throughout the investigation. He says that smaller companies will only be dealt with fairly when every energy firm starts:
• having more understandable T&Cs
• operating in fairer, more competitive markets
• publishing fixed prices that are easy to compare
The CMA’s probe is expected to be finished in the first half of 2016.
