It’s important to make sure your energy supplier knows exactly how much gas your business is using every month, so you get charged the right amount for the gas you actually use. Ideally, you should give your supplier a reading at least every month, to make sure your bills are completely accurate.
Although quarterly readings will also do, if you submit readings any less frequently, your supplier will use an estimate to calculate your bills, based upon the size and type of business you run.
Your energy supplier might visit your business to take meter readings, but they’re only legally obliged to do this every two years. So, if you rely on this, you could easily find yourself paying too much or too little – either way, you could be left substantially out of pocket.
If you get into debt with your supplier, you’ll have to pay back any money you owe before you can switch. This could mean you end up paying even more if you get stuck on an expensive rate. If you’ve been paying too much, then you’ll have the hassle of claiming the money back from your supplier.
In either of these instances, you’ll need to get a new gas meter installed.
If you’ve recently moved into your business premises, you might find that there isn’t a gas connection. This tends to be because you’re moving into a property that doesn't have a meter, or one that has a meter that was previously disconnected. If there is a meter installed, you might find that it’s taking inaccurate readings.
In other instances, a business that hasn't needed gas in the past may decide that a supply could be useful, or even necessary, in widening its operations.
Whichever situation applies to your business, you can arrange for a new gas meter to be installed at your premises. You can help the installation process run as smoothly as possible by having the following information to hand:
If your business premises has an existing gas supply and meter installed, you should contact the National Grid to check whether or not the meter has been disconnected. You should also ask the Grid if the existing meter is going to be capable of meeting your business's supply needs. It usually takes the National Grid around 15 working days to complete their checks.
There are lots of different types of business energy meters available to cater for different types of businesses. The type of meter you should go for depends on your business’s specific needs.
If you need a new electricity meter, you may have any one of the following installed:
To get a new business gas meter installed – or an old one reconnected – speak to one of our energy experts on 0800 326 5530. We'll search the market to find a fair deal for your business's gas and arrange the setup of your new meter.