Question 1

Will my gas or electricity supply be interrupted during the switch?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not. Your supply is never interrupted when you switch. The physical gas and electricity that flows to your premises stays the same — only the company that bills you changes. Your fryers, ovens, fridges, and extraction systems will run without any interruption whatsoever.

Question 2

How long does the switching process take?

Accepted Answer

The initial quote takes about 2 minutes. Once you've chosen a deal, the switch itself typically completes within 2-4 weeks. Some suppliers can do it faster. We handle all the paperwork — you don't need to do anything except keep running your business.

Question 3

Is there really no cost for your service?

Accepted Answer

Correct — our service is 100% free to you. We're paid a commission by the energy suppliers, not by you. This means there's genuinely no cost, no hidden fees, and no obligation. If you don't like any of the deals we find, you simply don't switch.

Question 4

Do I need to contact my current supplier?

Accepted Answer

No. We handle all communication with your current and new supplier. You don't need to call anyone or send any cancellation letters. We take care of everything.

Question 5

Will my current supplier charge me an exit fee?

Accepted Answer

If you're within a fixed-term contract, there may be an exit fee. However, if your contract has expired (you're on 'out-of-contract' or 'deemed' rates), there's no exit fee. We'll check your contract status and factor any fees into our recommendation — sometimes paying an exit fee still saves you money overall.

Question 6

What information do I need to get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Just your business postcode and business type to start. For a more accurate comparison, it helps to have your current monthly bill amount, your current supplier name, and when your contract ends. But we can work with just a postcode if that's all you have.

Question 7

How much can I actually save?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your current tariff, consumption, and business type. Our average hospitality customer saves around £6,900 per year. Businesses on out-of-contract or deemed rates often save 20-30%. Even businesses on competitive tariffs usually find savings of 10-15% when we compare the full market.

Question 8

Do you compare all energy suppliers?

Accepted Answer

We compare deals from a panel of 20+ trusted UK business energy suppliers. This covers the vast majority of the market and includes all the major suppliers. We focus on finding you the best deal, not just any deal.

Question 9

Will there be a credit check?

Accepted Answer

Some suppliers may run a soft credit check, which doesn't affect your credit score. This is standard practice for business energy contracts. We'll always let you know before anything happens.

Question 10

Do you understand the energy needs of a takeaway/chicken shop?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's all we do. We know that commercial fryers draw 6-18kW each, that extraction systems run for every second you're cooking, that walk-in freezers are 24/7, and that your trading hours are very different from an office. We use this knowledge to find tariffs that actually fit your usage pattern.

Question 11

Can you help with half-hourly metered supplies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many hospitality businesses with higher consumption (typically above 100,000 kWh/year) are on half-hourly meters. We have experience negotiating HH meter contracts and can often find significant savings for these larger users.

Question 12

What about businesses with multiple sites?

Accepted Answer

We can handle multi-site deals. If you run multiple takeaways, restaurants, or pubs, we can often negotiate volume discounts by consolidating your energy contracts with a single supplier.

Question 13

I rent my premises — can I still switch?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes. If you have your own energy meter and your own account with an energy supplier, you can switch. If your energy is included in your rent or you're on a shared supply, it's more complicated — but give us a call and we'll advise.

Question 14

My energy bill is confusing. Can you help me understand it?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Business energy bills can be confusing with unit rates, standing charges, CCL, and VAT. We offer a free bill review — just send us your latest bill and we'll explain exactly what you're paying and where you could save. Check out our guide to understanding your business energy bill for more details.

Question 15

What happens when my new contract ends?

Accepted Answer

We track your contract end dates and proactively contact you before your contract expires. This means you'll never accidentally roll onto expensive out-of-contract rates. We'll run a fresh comparison and help you switch again if there's a better deal available.

Question 16

Can you help me reduce my energy consumption too?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Smart Energy Business also provides energy efficiency services including energy audits, LED lighting upgrades, cooling and refrigeration optimisation, and solar PV installation. After we've switched your supplier, we can audit your premises and recommend further savings.

Question 17

What if I'm not happy with my new supplier?

Accepted Answer

If there's a genuine issue with your new supplier, get in touch with us. We'll help you resolve the problem or, if necessary, find you a new deal. Our relationship with you doesn't end when the switch completes — we're here for the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Switching

About Your Quote

Hospitality-Specific Questions

After the Switch

Every week you wait costs you money.