Changing energy suppliers seen as a hassle as many businesses miss out on benefits reaped by switching-savvy enterprises

Businesses in the finance sector are in the dark on energy purchasing as new research shows that over one third (35%) have never switched suppliers or tariffs, with 14% not knowing that switching is an option for them. Over three-quarters (82%) of SMEs in the finance sector believe they pay too much for their utilities and a higher number (90%) understand there are savings to be made.

Following recent consumer switching campaigns, the study, published by one of the UK’s leading energy and water consultancies, Utilitywise, explores what finance businesses know about energy switching and found that despite feeling they pay too much, there is a lack of understanding about the options or perceived barriers that stop them taking action.

Although almost one in five (18%) businesses in the finance sector switched in the last year, many others avoided moving to new suppliers and tariffs due to the belief it is not worth the hassle (28%) and the return would not outweigh the time it takes to organise (7%).

When it comes to reasons why business owners in the finance sector are reluctant to explore switching, many believe it will take them too much time and effort:

• 51% fear costs and fees attached to transferring to a new supplier
• An increase of paperwork and forms to fill in makes 43% of businesses nervous
• Almost one third (32%) even believe that switching will cause a disruption to their energy supply and that they may be left for a period of time with no gas or electricity

Andrew Richardson, Deputy CEO of Utilitywise, said:

“There has been much in the news about domestic customers switching to get better energy deals, which is positive in terms of building a competitive market place and educating consumers about energy. Businesses in the finance sector can do the same and there are real savings to be made. However, it is daunting and more complicated for commercial enterprises to navigate switching as they may have a number of sites, meters and different contracts – this is where working with Utilitywise can help.

“Our teams are experts and can advise on the best approach for energy management – our flexible purchasing team has saved our customers over £1.2 million in the last 12 months with an annual average of £55,000, while our fixed contract team is saving hundreds for customers on a regular basis. We can take the hassle out of switching and help businesses in the finance sector manage their energy better.”

Over half of businesses (56%) in the sector reported that a feeling of taking the power back into their hands would encourage them to switch energy suppliers, on top of a financial motivation. A saving of £100 – £200 per year would be enough to encourage 38% of finance businesses to switch and 72% already believe they would save up to £300 if they were to switch in 2015.

David Riches, Executive Director for Commercial, Trade and Marketing from the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Many Chamber members in the finance sector are small business owners and have to juggle long-term planning at the same time as running the day-to-day operations of their company. Understanding their energy overheads is an important element in managing their business costs effectively. Our research, conducted amongst thousands of Chamber business members across the UK, tells us that many businesses need help when they look to cut their energy costs by switching suppliers. Our Affinity Partnership with Utilitywise was established with this in mind.”

For those finance businesses that have saved or foresee saving money through switching, 42% would instead invest in better equipment for the organisation, 34% would inject the cash into additional benefits for the staff and 31% would focus on office upgrades.

In the past year, Utilitywise has switched over 80% of new customers to a different supplier to get the right tariff for their business. Furthermore, over half (51%) of existing customers were switched to either a new supplier or tariff during last year, which demonstrates the need for ongoing utility management to ensure that customers always have the right deal for their organisation.

Before working with Utilitywise, 28% of customers did not think switching would be worth the hassle, 23% did not have time to do it and 16% found it too confusing. Yet, 68% of the Utiliywise customer base believes switching helps to make the market more competitive and 72% thinks it makes suppliers work harder to meet the customer’s needs.

Businesses can learn about the energy options open to them through switching and the benefits this can bring by visiting: www.utilitywise.com/no-hassle-switching/