We compare business gas and electricity from 20 plus suppliers for glasshouse and protected horticulture. Typical bills run £9.9k to £203k a year and businesses that switch with us save 40 per cent on average, typically 30 to 50 per cent. The figures on this page are estimates from published UK benchmarks, not quotes.
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What a typical glasshouse or polytunnel uses and pays across the UK, from published benchmarks.
Figures are estimates from published UK benchmarks priced at 25p/kWh electricity, 7p/kWh gas and about £365 a year in standing charges. They are not quotes. See how we estimate.
Nothing on a UK farm burns energy like heated glass. A hectare of heated nursery or ornamental glass typically consumes 600,000 to 1,200,000 kWh a year, roughly 60 to 120 kWh per square metre, a year-round heated tomato crop runs nearer 380 kWh per square metre, and energy can account for 30% to 40% of variable production costs for heated growers. Add supplementary LED or HPS lighting through the winter and electricity alone becomes a six-figure line. Protected horticulture was also excluded from the energy relief scheme announced for other energy-intensive industries from 2027. Figures are estimates based on published sector benchmarks.
A heating boiler holding minimum night temperature through every frost from October to April
Supplementary grow lights running 14 to 18 hours a day through the darkest months
Irrigation and recirculation pumps cycling around the clock on hydroponic benches
A chilled packhouse and cold store keeping cut produce at temperature after every pick
Typical equipment loads across farming and agriculture, with annual kWh and cost bands from published benchmarks.
| Equipment | kWh a year | Cost a year (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Glasshouse Heating Boiler (gas) | 250,000–2,000,000 kWh | £17,500–£140,000 |
| Livestock House Ventilation Fans | 15,000–90,000 kWh | £3,750–£22,500 |
| Grain Drier & Store Ventilation Fans | 10,000–120,000 kWh | £2,500–£30,000 |
| Milk Cooling & Bulk Tank | 12,000–35,000 kWh | £3,000–£8,750 |
| Water Heating & Pressure Washing | 6,000–30,000 kWh | £1,500–£7,500 |
| Yard, Barn & Arena Lighting | 4,000–25,000 kWh | £1,000–£6,250 |
Install thermal screens and close them at dusk, which typically cuts glasshouse heat demand by 20% to 30% for a fast payback
Fit a buffer tank so the boiler runs at high efficiency in longer cycles instead of short cycling all night
Move remaining HPS lighting to LED, which cuts lighting electricity by 40% or more and lets you run higher light levels for the same load
Insulate the north gable, side walls and any heating pipework in service areas, since these lose heat without ever growing a plant
Check whether your nursery qualifies for a Climate Change Agreement, because horticulture CCAs can reduce your Climate Change Levy substantially
Illustrative example
Around 150 milking cows with bulk-tank cooling and a parlour
Milk cooling, water heating and vacuum pumps run twice a day every day of the year.
Illustrative example, not a real customer. Figures are estimates based on published UK benchmarks. See how we estimate. See all worked examples.
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Switching your energy supplier is just the start. Our team can help you reduce consumption too — with expert energy audits, LED lighting upgrades, refrigeration optimisation, and solar PV installations.
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Learn moreOptimise your fridges, freezers and cooling systems for maximum efficiency.
Learn moreUpgrade your heating systems with smart controls to reduce waste.
Learn morePart of the Smart Energy group — trusted by businesses like Bargoed YMCA and Treforest Football Club for energy efficiency solutions across Wales and the UK.
Get a tariff matched to how a glasshouse or polytunnel actually uses energy: the equipment, the hours and the fuels on your meters.
