Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
You're in safe hands...
logo

Our trusted partner Bionic, has experts who handle the comparison for you and guide you through your quotes.

Compare Business Energy
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Compare Businesses Broadband from top providers
logo

We compare our best Business Broadband deals to find the ideal solution for your business.

Get Connected
Guides & Advice

Find everything you need to decide which Business Broadband plan is right for you.

headshot
Why Is My Business Broadband Slow?
Read all Business Broadband guides >
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Menu
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Popular right now...
logo

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Open an account by 31st May and deposit £100 for your chance to win one of four £500 prizes. T&Cs apply.*

Enter Now
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
You're in safe hands...
logo

Our trusted partner Bionic, has experts who handle the comparison for you and guide you through your quotes.

Compare Business Energy
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
You’re in safe hands...
logo

Our trusted partner Bionic, has experts who handle the quote for you and you through your options.

Compare Business Insurance
Guides & Advice

Secure your business with the right insurance. From contents to cyber, we've got you covered.

headshot
What Happens if My Business Insurance Lapses?
Read all Business Insurance guides >
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Compare Businesses Broadband from top providers
logo

We compare our best Business Broadband deals to find the ideal solution for your business.

Get Connected
Guides & Advice

Find everything you need to decide which Business Broadband plan is right for you.

headshot
Why Is My Business Broadband Slow?
Read all Business Broadband guides >
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Compare our best card machine offers from leading suppliers.
Guides & Advice

Set yourself up to take (and make) payments easily.

headshot
Hard vs Soft Credit Checks: What to Know
Read all Payment Solutions guides >
Banking & Finance
Energy & Utilities
Business Insurance
Broadband & Phones
Payment Solutions
Guides & Advice
Trending

Find our most popular recent guides here.

Trending

This article will give you all the guidance needed to help you make an informed decision and switch business broadband providers smoothly and quickly.

How to Switch Business Broadband Provider
Man wearing PPE

1 week ago

Which Business Types Pay More for Energy?

As you’ll know, running a small business comes with many costs, and energy is one of the big ones. But not all companies use gas and electricity in the same way. Some naturally use more power because of their processes, equipment or operating hours.

If you're an entrepreneur wondering why your bills seem high (or just curious), let’s break down which business types pay more for energy in the UK and why.

Manufacturing

Manufacturers are some of the biggest energy consumers in the UK. Whether running a makeshift workshop in your garden shed or a large-scale food production plant, your machinery needs a lot of power.

For example, bakeries run gas ovens for hours on end, metalworking businesses rely on high-powered welding equipment and plastics manufacturers need energy-intensive moulding machines.

Hospitality

If you're in the hospitality sector, you already know how much business energy can eat into your profits. Restaurants and pubs use energy-hungry appliances like industrial ovens, deep fat fryers and freezers that run all day. Throw in heating, air conditioning and lighting for extended trading hours, and it's easy to see why the energy bills stack up.

Hotels take it a step further by needing hot water and heating for dozens of rooms, plus laundry facilities and sometimes swimming pools and spas - all of which send energy consumption sky-high.

Fish and chips in a polystyrene tray

Retail

Shops and supermarkets may not seem like the most obvious significant energy users, but they rack up hefty bills due to lighting, refrigeration and heating systems. However, a small clothing retailer will, of course, use far less electricity than a 24-hour supermarket.

Convenience stores with fridges without doors will pay even more because they have to work extra hard to keep products cool in a warm environment.

Agriculture

Farming may be a traditional British industry, but it's far from low-energy. Dairy farms require milking machines and refrigeration, while chicken farms use heated incubators for eggs. Greenhouses need artificial lighting, temperature control and sometimes hydroponics to grow crops all year round.

Even small-scale producers, like artisan cheesemakers or craft breweries, use a surprising amount of energy for processes like pasteurisation and fermentation.

Technology

With everything going digital and cloud storage rising in popularity, data centres are becoming some of the biggest energy consumers in the UK. Even if you’re not running a massive facility, any business that relies on servers and computers running 24/7 will see an impact on its energy costs.

Small tech startups might not notice this as much, but their energy usage climbs quickly as they grow and start housing more equipment. The cooling systems needed to stop servers from overheating add even more to the bill.

How Can Businesses Save on Energy?

If you run one of these high-energy businesses, don’t worry - there are ways to cut costs.

  1. Switch to energy-efficient appliances - More modern equipment often uses less power without sacrificing performance.

  2. Heat and cool sensibly - Don’t overheat your workspace in winter or overcool it in the warmer months.

  3. Use off-peak tariffs - Some energy suppliers offer lower rates to businesses that consume energy outside peak hours.

  4. Consider renewable options - Solar panels or heat pumps can reduce your reliance on the grid.

Powering Down

Some businesses will simply always use more energy than others, but understanding where your most significant expenses are coming from can help you make some smart cost-cutting decisions. Whether you run an artisan bakery, a sprawling farm or a greasy spoon, keeping an eye on business energy usage can help you cut waste and save money.

If you think you're paying too much, it’s always worth shopping around for a better deal. Business energy prices vary, and a better tariff could make a big difference to your bottom line.

Let Us Help Your Business

BusinessComparison can help you compare vital business products and services, securing the best deals and saving precious time. Compare with us today to save time and money.

Business Loans icon

Business Bank Accounts icon

Invoice Finance icon

Business Energy icon

Business Broadband icon

Card Machines icon

Business Credit Cards icon

Business Insurance icon

Leased Lines icon

https://images.businesscomparison.com/img/phil-square-1744210770.png

Published by Philip Brennan

Philip is the Founder and Managing Director of BusinessComparison. After 7 years at MoneySuperMarket, recognising that the SME market was underserved, he has spent the last 10 years building a reliable comparison service that helps Britain’s small businesses save time and money.