In today’s volatile energy market, it’s easy to assume that chasing the cheapest headline rate is the smartest decision. Business leaders are under constant pressure to reduce overheads and shopping around has become the instinctive move. But here’s the catch: switching too quickly, or for the wrong reasons, can end up costing more than staying put.
At Resolve, we’ve seen countless businesses make a hasty leap for what looked like a bargain, only to discover hidden charges, stricter terms, or a sudden market shift that turns their ‘saving’ into an expensive mistake.
The Myth: A Cheaper Rate Means a Better Deal
It’s the oldest trick in the book. A supplier promotes a unit rate that looks lower than your current one - say, 24.5p/kWh instead of 26p/kWh. On the surface, it’s a no-brainer.
But once you factor in the fine print, that cheaper deal often tells a different story. Pass-through charges, higher standing fees, and conditions tied to usage thresholds can mean you actually pay more overall. Worse still, some contracts include ‘take or pay’ clauses that penalise you if your consumption drops below forecast - meaning you could pay for energy you never use.
The Reality: A Contract Is More Than a Number
Price matters, of course. But a good contract is also about the terms that underpin it. If you’ve been with a supplier for years, you may already enjoy benefits that don’t appear in a new provider’s offer, things like extended payment schedules, tailored billing cycles, or negotiated load profiles for multiple sites.
Walk away, and those concessions vanish. What looks like a saving on paper may, in practice, create cashflow pressure or admin headaches that eat into your margins.
Timing is another factor businesses underestimate.
- Energy markets shift constantly. A deal that looks competitive today could be overpriced in three months if the wholesale market drops. Conversely, jumping ship during a temporary dip could mean you’re exposed to rising prices just as they surge again.
And then there’s service.
- An account manager who knows your operations and resolves issues quickly is worth more than shaving half a penny per kilowatt-hour. For sectors where supply is critical - manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare - poor service can cause disruption far beyond the cost of energy itself.
The Smarter Play: Thinking Beyond the Switch
That’s not to say switching is always wrong. It can make sense if your contract is ending and the renewal offer is uncompetitive, if you’re out of contract on inflated variable rates, or if service has repeatedly failed. In those cases, moving supplier could be the right call.
But switching is only one option. Many businesses overlook the alternatives:
- Renegotiate with your current supplier using market data as leverage.
- Review your contract structure, fixed, flexible, or hybrid models can balance stability with opportunity.
- Audit your consumption to reduce spend outright, regardless of your unit rate.
These strategies often deliver more sustainable results than chasing the lowest headline rate.
The Resolve Approach
At Resolve, we cut through the noise. We don’t just compare unit rates; we analyse the total cost of your contract, from pass-through charges to standing fees, and weigh it against your business needs and market conditions.
Our approach is simple:
- Review your current bill in detail.
- Benchmark against live market rates.
- Recommend the path, switch, renegotiate, or restructure, that delivers long-term benefit.
Before you make your next move, send us your latest bill for a free, no-obligation review. We’ll show you the full picture so you can act with clarity and confidence, not just the lure of a headline rate.
Get the Full Picture Before You Switch
Most energy decisions go wrong because they’re based on headline rates, not total cost. At Resolve, we:
- Review your current bill in detail.
- Compare the whole contract, including pass-through charges.
- Show you whether switching, renegotiating, or restructuring is the best move.
Send us your latest bill for a free, no-obligation review. We’ll give you the clarity to act with confidence, not guesswork.
Further Reading: 6 Signs You’re Overpaying for Business Gas & Electricity
If you're looking to save money on your business gas bills then why not get in touch today? The close relationships Resolve Energy has developed with over 24 of the UK’s biggest business energy suppliers allows our energy experts to source the best business gas rates available for your company right when you need them. Request a free quote today and start saving money on your energy.
