Can my gas and electricity be with different suppliers

Question

Energy4 · Accepted Answer

Can my gas and electricity be with different suppliers YES, businesses can have ANY supplier they prefer based on cost, tariff, personal preference and locality.

Businesses NO LONGER need to acquire both gas and electricity from ONE supplier

Energy4 will provide you with a report, looking at your accounts and find out which options would be best for your business needs

However Businesses who have one Electrical connection that is separated into TWO meters across a site, both Electricity contracts must be with the same supplier.

Since 2013 Energy4 has noticed Utility providers are misinforming business owners that all Meters on a site must be with one supplier. This is incorrect.

Attempts have been used by Utility providers to prevent inaccurate information to business customers, especially quoting OfGem reports that are irrelevant, and in worse cases claiming it is a legal department issue if business customers do not agree that a supplier has access to all meters on a company property.

The large 6 have been identified as the worst perpetrators of misinforming business owners.

Making a complaint about your energy supplier or network operator

Talk to them
Energy suppliers and network operators must have a complaints process. They must also reply to complaints and come to a decision within 8 weeks.

Explain the problem and what you want them to do.

You can complain by email, letter or telephone.

Keep records of contact you have with the company.

You can find company contact details on a recent energy bill.

If aren't sure about your current supply details, see Finding your energy supplier or network operator.

Get support
Citizens Advice has template complaints letters you can use. They can also help with a complaint. Sometimes their powers mean they can act for you.

Someone at their Extra Help Unit could take on your case if you are in a vulnerable situation or your energy could get cut off. They can also refer you to other organisations to help. This free service includes some support for small businesses.

Free online tools and apps like Resolver.co.uk can also help you track and manage a complaint step-by-step.

Contact

Call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or use their online webchat.
For textphone, dial 18001 followed by the helpline number.
Take it further
Complain to the Energy Ombudsman if eight weeks have passed and you still aren’t happy with the company’s response.

Energy companies should write to you to tell you how to do this at eight weeks or when you hit a ‘deadlock’. This is when neither of you can reach an agreement.

You can refer a case to the Ombudsman within 12 months of a deadlock letter. Sometimes they can investigate an older complaint if you have not had a deadlock letter.

The Ombudsman can make a company correct a problem, apologise and explain what happened. They can also make a company pay compensation. Its decisions are binding on the energy company.

Complain to Ofgem if you can’t resolve an issue with a network operator or a comparison website accredited by the Ofgem Confidence Code.

Contact

Energy Ombudsman complaints form or call 0330 440 1624.
Network operator and Ofgem Confidence Code comparison site complaints: Email Ofgem or call 020 7901 7295.