01/09/2025
Are you asking your broker or consultant the correct questions about your energy bills? 💡
Too many business owners and homeowners end up overpaying because they don’t know what questions to ask. We've put together a quick guide & the most important questions to ask your energy consultant:
❓Are my bills based on actual meter reads or estimates?
(Estimated bills can quickly lead to energy debt and the only way to find out what you're currently using is if your reads are being sent in to your provider. If you have a smart meter, these should send automatically. If you have an analogue meter, please ensure you give readings in regularly each month. Your energy consultant or broker will be able to tell what you have from your bill or statement).
❓ How many kilowatt hours (kWh) am I using per year?
(This is necessary for calculating your cost based on your usage)
❓ What is the annual cost of my services?
(This is essential for checking whether your monthly direct debit actually covers your yearly usage and you aren't quietly racking up any debt on your account.)
❓ Am I on a fixed or variable tariff? What are the pros and cons of each?
(Fixed gives you certainty, variable can be risky if prices rise - it's important to understand that flexible gives you flexibility and ability to switch, however most fixed tariffs won't allow you to switch without an exit fee. It is difficult to exit contracts for the commercial market, be aware of what your contract means before switching).
❓ What will my annual cost be when I switch? What will the savings be, if any?
(This is the most important question to ask to ensure you're saving money by switching)
❓ What is the duration of my new contract? And will there be an exit fee to switch?
(Important to ask for both homes and businesses, however with business contracts it's likely you'll be tied in for the duration of your contract. NOT fixing in a commercial contract will cost you a lot more, however this isn't always the case for domestic tariffs).
Knowledge is power. (Pun intended) Ensure you ask these questions to make sure your consultant is working in your best interests, not just theirs.
If you’d like a free review of your current energy setup, you can get in touch via facebook or: utilitiesconsultancy.com