Business energy questions, answered
These are the questions we are asked on the phone, written down. Each one gets a direct answer first and the detail underneath, and none of them ends in "it depends, call us". If yours is not here, ask it at the bottom of any page and a specialist will answer personally.
Last reviewed 2 September 2026 by Utilities Made Simple · independent, whole-of-market, supplier-paid — how we are paid
- Contracts and renewals
- Bills and charges
- VAT and CCL
- Moving premises
- Meters and supply numbers
- Business water
Contracts and renewals
Ending, renewing, extending and escaping business energy contracts.
- Can I leave my business energy contract early?
- What happens if I miss my termination window?
- Do business energy contracts auto-renew?
- Can I cancel a rollover contract?
- How long should I fix my business energy for?
- Can I switch business energy supplier if I owe money?
- How long is a business energy quote valid for?
- How do I complain about an energy broker?
Bills and charges
What every line on the bill means, and what to do when one looks wrong.
- Why has my business electricity bill gone up when my usage hasn't?
- What are DUoS and TUoS charges on a business electricity bill?
- My business energy bill is estimated — how do I get it corrected?
- What is a reactive power charge on my electricity bill?
- Can I get a refund if my business has been overcharged for energy?
- What is a reconciliation or settlement charge on my energy bill?
- Why am I paying a standing charge when the premises are empty?
VAT and CCL
The 5% routes, the de minimis maths, and reclaiming what you have overpaid.
- Is my business eligible for 5% VAT on energy?
- How do I claim back overpaid VAT on business energy?
- What is a VAT declaration certificate for energy and where do I get one?
- Do charities pay VAT on energy?
- Do I still pay the Climate Change Levy if I qualify for 5% VAT?
Moving premises
Taking on a new site, leaving an old one, and not inheriting someone else's bill.
- Who supplies the energy at premises I've just moved into?
- What is a change of tenancy and how do I do one?
- Am I liable for the previous tenant's energy debt?
- Can I transfer my energy contract to new premises?
- Do I need to tell my energy supplier I'm leaving the premises?
Meters and supply numbers
Finding your numbers, getting a meter fixed, and what your meter type costs you.
- How do I find out who my current energy supplier is?
- What is an MPRN and where do I find it?
- How do I get a smart meter for my business?
- My business energy meter is faulty — who fixes it?
- What is a maximum demand meter?
Business water
Switching retailer, checking the bill, and the rebate most businesses miss.
- Can my business switch water supplier?
- Why is my business water bill so high?
- What is a surface water drainage rebate?
Ask an energy specialist
If your question is not answered above, send it to us. A specialist answers personally, normally within one working day. No sales call, no obligation — and if the answer is "your deal is fine", that is what you will get.
Not sure where you stand? Send us a bill.
Upload a recent bill and a specialist will check your rates, VAT, levies and contract end date against the live market — free, usually the same working day. Prefer email? Send it to info@utilitiesms.co.uk. If your deal is already good, we will tell you to keep it.