- 1.1 Division Of Costs
- 1.2 Metering cost
- 1.3 Wholesale cost
- 1.4 Use Of System Charge
- 1.5 VAT
- 1.6 CCL
- 1.7 Getting Some Assistance
- 1.8 Considering Renewable Energy
- 1.9 Is It Important To Take Note Of The Energy Bill?
Your business utilizes all manner of energy – gas, electricity, water, and so on. But the thing is that the energy you use will have an impact on how much you will pay for your bills in the long run. Other factors affect business energy, which we will cover later. For now, we will tackle the basics of business energy and what you can do about it. You can read more about Utility Bidder’s utility guides online.
No two businesses are alike in terms of energy requirements. Not because you and your neighbour’s business sell car tyres means you use the same amount of gas and electricity. Your infrastructure will be different from that of your neighbouring operation. You will use a varied lighting system, equipment, tools, and workforce to keep your business running. Then again, there is the constant fluctuation of energy prices.
Numerous factors affect the moving of energy prices in the world market. That means you cannot have a fixed price for your gas and electricity.
How Much Energy Does A Business Use?
- A microbusiness uses at least twenty to thirty thousand kilowatts each year. However, some factors impact how much power your enterprise will take up.
- An average business uses at least five thousand to ten thousand kilowatts of resources each year.
- A medium one takes up more than forty thousand kilowatts annually.
- While a large-scale business will consume at least fifty to sixty thousand kilowatts of energy, including gas and electricity.
- You also have to consider the scale of your operation. The larger your enterprise, the more resources you will use in a given time.
Division Of Costs
Looking at the information and other data on your energy bill can be complicated. You might wonder what all those numbers and letters mean.
We can divide your total costs for energy consumption into several sections. Check them out below:
Metering cost
Your business utilizes a specialized meter. You will have to pay for the purchase and maintenance of such a component.
Wholesale cost
You will pay this cost if you receive energy wholesale from suppliers. This means you accept the energy supply in bulk. That way, your business will not run out of resources in the long run.
Use Of System Charge
Several energy distributors in the country have a license to conduct resource distribution. These distributors are part of the DNO or distribution network operators. You will pay this cost if your supplier is a part of the DNO.
VAT
VAT, or value-added tax, is another expense in your bill with a twenty per cent charge. But the neat thing with value-added tax is that the more you spend fewer resources, the lower it goes.
CCL
CCL, or climate change levy, is a type of renewable energy tax. As with VAT, how much you pay depends on the renewable energy you use. Your CCL will be higher if your enterprise does not utilize renewable energy. That is why more and more companies are transitioning to renewable energy. They save on costs, such as CCL, and they also get to do their part in protecting the environment.
In addition, you will deal with the tariff you currently have. Your contract will also dictate how much you will pay for all the gas and electricity you will use for a duration. Contact your contractor if you find any discrepancies or other bill issues.
Getting Some Assistance
Since you run an operation, there are instances where you have difficulties dealing with other matters. You have to settle and check the bills, check the inventory, and work on employee matters. You might have no time to focus on analyzing the energy bill. Do not worry one bit.
For the energy consumption cost check, you can seek assistance from several sources. The first option is to hire a virtual assistant specializing in bookkeeping and record tracking. They will handle the energy bill, emails, and other matters so you can focus more on running the business without issues.
The second option you have is to hire a utility bidder. A utility bidder is a service you can get from online sites and organizations. What happens is that a utility bidder will take care of other things, much like how a virtual assistant would on your behalf.
But unlike a virtual assistant, a utility bidder offers more energy-related services your business can benefit from overall. They will also look for several opportunities for your business to grow.
Considering Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is getting more and more popular among business owners nowadays. This type of energy costs less since the source is natural. In addition, you will tend to emit fewer greenhouse gasses and other forms of pollution.
Plus, your business will attract more potential clients. Clients and individuals appreciate any operation that utilizes renewable energy, so transitioning to it will be an absolute win for your industry.
You better get in touch with your energy provider. Inquire if they offer renewable energy sources. Check if your contract also allows you to make the transition. Since not all energy providers tend to shell this type of tariff for their clients.
Is It Important To Take Note Of The Energy Bill?
Absolutely. Checking your gas and electricity bills lets you determine where your business should adjust energy-wise. Doing so also lets you decide whether you are paying too much or too little for that energy contract. That way, you can take all the necessary actions to reduce costs.
The Last Word
Business energy might seem too complicated for others, but you only need to look at it to find out it does not require much understanding. You can have other workers handle your energy costs, but it is paramount that you take a look at it as well. Doing so allows you to adjust certain aspects of your business.