Cheaper Business Gas Rates

Commercial Gas Explained

Business gas is the natural gas supplied to commercial premises for heating, cooking, hot water, and industrial processes. Like business electricity, gas contracts are typically fixed-term agreements with locked-in unit rates and standing charges for the duration of the term.

Gas is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) — the same unit as electricity. Your gas bill is calculated as: (units used × unit rate) + (days in billing period × standing charge) + VAT (20%) + Climate Change Levy (CCL). Typical business gas unit rates range from 3p to 8p per kWh.

What Affects Your Gas Costs?

Several factors influence your business gas costs:

• Unit rate (price per kWh) — typically 3-8p/kWh for business gas
• Standing charge — fixed daily cost, typically 15-40p/day regardless of usage
• Seasonal variation — winter usage is typically 3-5x summer usage due to heating
• Usage volume — higher annual usage can unlock better per-unit rates
• Contract length — 1-3 year fixed terms provide price security
• Out-of-contract rates — 30-50% more expensive if your contract expires
• Wholesale gas prices — fluctuate based on global supply, geopolitics, and weather
• Network charges — vary by region for transporting gas through the grid

Business Gas Contract Advice

The most important advice for business gas: never let your contract expire without a plan. If your fixed-term contract ends and you haven't arranged a new one, you'll automatically roll onto out-of-contract rates — typically 30-50% more expensive than negotiated rates.

Start the renewal process 3-6 months before your contract end date. This gives you time to compare the whole market, negotiate rates, and arrange a switch without any gap. From 49 days before your end date, you can switch brokers without exit fees.

Consider combining gas and electricity with one broker. This often unlocks better rates and simplifies billing — one contract, one renewal date, one broker to deal with.

Business Gas Switching Guidance

Switching gas brokers is straightforward when handled by a broker. We compare rates from every major UK gas broker, negotiate on your behalf, and manage the entire switching process — including all paperwork and coordination with your old and new brokers.

The switch typically takes 2-4 weeks. During the switch, your gas supply is uninterrupted — there's no disruption to your business. Your new broker simply takes over the billing, and you start paying the new (lower) rates.

The best time to switch is during your renewal window — 1-6 months before your contract ends. We track renewal dates for all our clients and proactively contact them, so you never miss the window or roll onto expensive out-of-contract rates.