Help and advice on how to manage your energy costs - British Gas

Advice for businesseswho are finding it difficult topay their energy billsbritishgas.co.uk/business

Being Great Britain’s leading energy company meanswe’ve learnt a few things <strong>and</strong> we’d like to share thatknow-how with you – whether that’s everyday energyexpertise, or <strong>advice</strong> for businesses facing theday-to-day challenges of a tough economic climate.In this leaflet we’ve put together some help <strong>and</strong> <strong>advice</strong> onhow to manage your business energy costs. You can also findout more at britishgas.co.uk/business/financial-difficultyMany customers were affected by therecession, so to help we established ourExpert Credit Solutions team in 2009.By reviewing financial commitments <strong>and</strong>making honest assessments of a business’financial position, we’ve helped thous<strong>and</strong>sof customers get back on their feet.If you’re having difficulty paying yourenergy bills you can email us attimetopay@britishgas.co.ukor to talk to us on 0800 980 7543.Find out more atbritishgas.co.uk/business/financial-difficulty

<strong>Help</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>advice</strong> on managing your energy costs.1. Underst<strong>and</strong> your priceOne of the best ways to take more controlof your costs is by forecasting <strong>and</strong>budgeting ahead. But to do this accurately,you’ll need to know how much you’repaying each month, when your contractends <strong>and</strong> what happens when it does.Our Fixed Price Energy Plans are for a fixedterm <strong>and</strong> renew automatically. We sendyou a notification letter around 120 daysbefore your contract ends. This meansyou’ll have plenty of time to review yourdeal <strong>and</strong> decide whether to fix your prices.If you’re paying Out of Contract orDeemed prices, then talk to us abouta Fixed Price Energy Plan.Find out more about underst<strong>and</strong>ingyour energy costs atbritishgas.co.uk/simplebusiness2. Only pay for what you useEstimated meter readings can often leadto unexpected bills, putting unnecessarypressure on your business overheads.By sending us regular meter readings wecan make sure that you get accurate bills,so you’re only ever paying for the energyyou use – no more no less.Submit your meter readings by phoneor online at britishgas.co.uk/business/manage-accountA smart meter is another great way ofkeeping on top of your readings. They tellyou how much energy you’re using <strong>and</strong>send up to date meter readings to usautomatically, so you don’t have to.3. Use less energyMaking your business more energyefficient is a good way to keep costsdown – <strong>and</strong> it’s easier than you think.We can help get you started withsimple everyday ways to save energy– like turning off heating overnightalong with any other equipment that’snot needed.And for the future, we can show you howinvesting in the latest energy efficiencytechnology can make real <strong>and</strong> long-termsavings for your business, year after year.For further information on energyefficiency go to britishgas.co.uk/business/energy-services4. Spread the cost of your billMany of our customers pay by DirectDebit, a quick, convenient <strong>and</strong> reliableway to pay your bills. You’ll know exactlywhat you’re paying <strong>and</strong> when, so youwon’t be caught out by large bills thatneed paying in full.We can set your Direct Debit up easilyover the phone – <strong>and</strong> you’ll get a 6%discount off your energy bill.5. Agree a Payment PlanIf you’re having difficulty paying your billor your circumstances or business needschange, then get in touch – we may be ableto offer you a payment plan to help you getyour business energy back on track.

Getting the support you needWe’re here to helpIf you’re having difficultypaying your energybills you can email usdirectly at timetopay@britishgas.co.ukor to talk to us on0800 980 7543.You can also findout more atbritishgas.co.uk/business/financial-difficultyBusiness <strong>advice</strong>If you’re having difficultymanaging your debts,you can get free,confidential <strong>and</strong>independent <strong>advice</strong> fromthe Business Debtlineon 0800 197 6026 orat www.bdl.org.ukWhatever your financialsituation, the earlier youget the right support, thesooner you can go backto running your business.Citizens AdviceFor free, independent,confidential <strong>and</strong>impartial <strong>advice</strong> onconsumer issues visit<strong>advice</strong>guide.org.ukor call the CitizensAdvice consumerservice on08454 04 05 06.You can also find thisinformation on yourenergy bill.As part of Energy UK’s voluntary st<strong>and</strong>ardsfor back billing, we can offer payment plans,along with <strong>advice</strong> <strong>and</strong> support, to helpachieve fair bills. Our Fair Billing commitmentexplains more about the open <strong>and</strong> honestsupport we offer to help reduce the impactof back billing. Find out more atbritishgas.co.uk/fair-billingAlso like many other companies, we sharedata with credit reference agencies, so payingyour bills late may affect your credit rating.Your business may then find it difficultto secure credit in the future from othercredit providers. It can even affect theterms on which credit is offered, suchas the interest rates you pay.So get in touch – we’ll always try to help youpay your bills <strong>and</strong> avoid disconnecting yoursupply. Remember, if we don’t hear from you<strong>and</strong> your supply is disconnected, this couldaffect your credit rating too.You can find more information about ourdebt collection or disconnection processesat britishgas.co.uk/business/terms, or callus on 0800 980 7543.We also work closely with theBusiness Debtline <strong>and</strong> canprovide your business withenergy efficiency guidance.Business Debtline is a registeredcharity. Number. 1099506.0204/02/13British Gas is a trading name of British Gas Trading Limited.Registered in Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Wales No. 3078711. Registered office: Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5GD.Call charges may apply. Calls may be recorded <strong>and</strong>/or monitored for quality assurance <strong>and</strong> compliance purposes.