Business Electricity Comparison 

Switching your business electricity supplier can be completed in as little as 3 days, depending on your circumstances. Most switches take 4 to 6 weeks, but Clear Utility Solutions will handle the entire process for you, helping you avoid out-of-contract rates and ensuring there’s no disruption to your supply. Learn more about the switching process

Moving into or out of a business premises where responsibility of the energy supply changes is known as a Change of Tenancy or CoT. 

It is the responsibility of both the incoming and outgoing tenant to inform the incumbent energy supplier that there has been a change of tenancy. 

As the incoming tenant it is vital you do this as quickly as possible as you will be placed on an arbitrary deemed tariff by your new supplier, this tariff can be up to 40% more than an agreed price and can result in unwary business owners receiving large bills.

Read our full Change of Tenancy (CoT) guide

Smart meters provide real-time energy usage data, enabling accurate billing and helping businesses manage consumption more efficiently. For more information, check out our guide to smart meters for business.

Out of contract and deemed tariffs are default energy rates charged when no active supply agreement exists. Out of contract rates apply after a fixed-term deal ends without renewal, while deemed rates apply when a business moves into new premises without setting up a contract. Both are typically far more expensive than agreed rates - but switching to a new deal can reduce costs quickly.

An MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is the unique reference number used to identify your electricity supply. It's 21 digits long and often found on your electricity bill under 'Supply Number'. Your MPAN is essential when switching suppliers, setting up a new contract, or resolving any issues with your energy account. 

Read our full guide to MPAN numbers

Authorised Supply Capacity, or ASC for short, is the maximum amount of power your site is permitted to draw from the grid during any half hourly period. For example, if you were in a busy period and had switched on lots of electrical equipment at the same time, you would be making good use of your authorised supply capacity!

ASC is pre-agreed with your Distribution Network Operator in the form of a connection agreement, likely signed at the time the supply was originally installed. Our energy grid is finely balanced, and the network needs to know how much power you are likely to need in order to have the required capacity available for you to use at any time. Exceeding your agreed capacity can lead to excess capacity charges, and should your excess damage the grid in any way, you could be liable.

ASC can also be known as kVa, Agreed Supply Capacity, Capacity Charge, Maximum Import Capacity, MIC, Availability, or a combination of the above! It is measured in kilovolt Amps (kVa) and is typically charged on your bill as pence per kVa per day (p/kVa/day), or pounds per kVa per month (£/kVa/month).

For more information, view our full guide on Authorised Supply Capacity (ASC)

Phantom load, sometimes known as vampire energy, refers to the electricity consumed by appliances when they’re switched off or in standby mode. 

We explore the different types of phantom load in our full guide, why it matters to your business, how to measure it, and what you can do to reduce it.

Switching electricity suppliers in 2026 could help businesses reduce energy costs, access greener tariffs, improve contract terms, and benefit from better customer service and energy management tools. With increased market competition and growing renewable energy options, many businesses may find better value by reviewing their current contract and comparing suppliers.