Domestic or Business Energy Contract- Choose the One That Suits Your Requirements
The need for energy varies on a large scale for business as compared to the domestic household. The difference in the energy requirements for domestic and business can be calculated through energy contracts. Knowing the differences between the two will help you make the right decision and ask the right questions to your contractor. Utility Bidder is often contacted when making such decisions.
What Is the Contract Length of Domestic and Business Energy?
Contract lengths can fluctuate significantly among the business and domestic customers. The domestic customers are proposed with an energy contract that will last somewhere from 1 to 2 years.
But the contracts made with business customers last much longer and can go to more than 3 years. Along with this, the business contract customers will be charged very high compensation if they plan to end the contract earlier than decided.
Although domestic customers are also charged a cancellation fee, the amount is not very high compared to the business contract.
Domestic contract customers are allowed to roll over their contract every month even after the contract period has ended. While on the other hand, business contract customers are not allowed to do this.
They are put under an out-of-contract rate, meaning they will have to either renew their contract or start a new one after the agreed time. If they don’t do so, they will be charged a lot of money which is much more than the contract itself.
What Price Do the Customers Pay?
Prices that the customers of business and domestic contract pay also vary greatly. The price for business customers keeps changing on a daily basis as it is a market-driven contract. The rates are increasing and decreasing depending on the market demand.
On the other hand, domestic contract customers will face a fluctuation in price annually. This change in price has a great influence on the choice a customer makes for the type of contract.
Since domestic contracts prices are fixed and would only change after a year, many customers opt for domestic energy contracts. Also, they would be able to manage their cost and budget for gas and electricity prices easily.
Fluctuating prices may confuse business gas and electricity tariffs as energy quotes end when prices change. Therefore, it is recommended that clients take rapid action when evaluating quotes so that they can avoid losing deals before prices change.
Business customers can receive energy rates that are adjusted to their requirements. Whereas domestic customers are not offered anything like this, they are charged a rate similar to everyone else.
VAT Rate
The rate of VAT is also different for both these contracts. Business customers are required to pay 20% VAT on their energy bills, and domestic customers pay 5%.
What to Consider Before Buying Energy Contract?
Just like any other contract, there are a few factors you must consider before you sign an energy contract, be it for business or domestic purposes. You must first examine how much energy is being consumed currently.
Along with this, carefully go through the areas that need more energy so that you don’t waste energy on unnecessary areas. Other factors include investigating your location, the energy market rate, and the history of your previous energy plan.