Dental practice energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

Dental practices in the UK have unique energy needs due to their reliance on specialised equipment and a comfortable environment for patients. With the considerable energy consumption associated with dental chairs, sterilisation equipment, air conditioning, and lighting, it's crucial for dental practices to efficiently manage their energy use. Understanding the specific energy requirements and exploring competitive energy tariffs can help practices reduce their running costs without compromising on the quality of care. YourUtilities.co.uk is dedicated to helping dental practices navigate the complexities of energy consumption and find appropriate energy solutions that suit their operational needs.

How much does energy cost for a dental practice?

There is no published price list for dental practices. What a dental practice pays is set mainly by how much it uses in a year, because suppliers price by consumption band, and then by contract length, meter type, payment method and credit history. The most recent government figures (first quarter of 2026, provisional) put the average unit price paid by UK non-domestic customers at 24.14p per kWh for electricity and 5.17p per kWh for gas, including the Climate Change Levy and excluding VAT. A year earlier the averages were 25.74p and 5.54p. The smallest sites pay the most per unit: businesses using under 20,000 kWh of electricity a year averaged 35.02p per kWh, and those using under 278,000 kWh of gas averaged 7.48p per kWh.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Prices of fuels purchased by non-domestic consumers in the UK (Quarterly Energy Prices tables 3.4.1 and 3.4.2), published 30 June 2026. Q1 2026 figures are provisional; next update 29 September 2026. Prices are fully delivered averages including the Climate Change Levy and all other elements except VAT, so standing charges are already spread across the units. Averages across every UK business in a band, not quotes.

Working out a monthly figure for your business

Take the annual kWh from your latest bill or annual statement, find the band above and multiply. A site using 15,000 kWh of electricity a year sits in the very small band: 15,000 × 35.02p is about £5,250 a year, or roughly £440 a month before VAT. A site using 60,000 kWh of gas a year: 60,000 × 7.48p is about £4,490 a year, or roughly £375 a month. Because the smallest band pays a much higher unit rate, a dental practice that moves into the next band by growing, or that sits near a band boundary, can see its per-unit price change noticeably at renewal.

VAT and the Climate Change Levy on business energy

The prices above exclude VAT. Business energy normally carries VAT at 20% plus the Climate Change Levy (CCL). HMRC applies the 5% reduced rate, with no CCL, in three cases. First, low usage: supplies averaging no more than 33 kWh of electricity a day (1,000 kWh a month) or 145 kWh of gas a day (4,397 kWh a month) are treated as domestic use whoever the customer is. Second, fuel and power for domestic use, which HMRC defines to include homes providing care for the elderly or disabled, children’s homes, hospices and school or university residential accommodation. Third, a charity’s non-business activities. Where a site is mixed, 60% or more qualifying use means the whole supply is charged at 5%; below that the supply is split between the two rates, and the customer gives the supplier a certificate declaring the qualifying percentage. Source: HMRC VAT Notice 701/19 (sections 2.8, 3.2 to 3.5, 4.2 and 5.2, updated 5 February 2025) and gov.uk VAT rates.

Is a dental practice a microbusiness?

Ofgem treats a business as a microbusiness if it has fewer than 10 employees (or their full-time equivalent) and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than £2 million, or if it uses no more than 100,000 kWh of electricity or 293,000 kWh of gas a year. A business can be a microbusiness for one fuel and not the other. Independent dental practices that meet either test are covered by Ofgem’s microbusiness rules, which give extra protections around contract terms and renewals (Ofgem: get energy for your business).

Do business energy rates vary by region?

Yes. Part of every unit rate covers the cost of the local electricity distribution network, and Great Britain has 14 licensed distribution areas each with its own charges, so identical contracts are priced differently in, for example, the north of Scotland and London. DESNZ does not publish non-domestic prices by region, so regional figures quoted elsewhere are supplier or broker estimates rather than official statistics.

Which energy supplier is best for dental practices?

No supplier specialises in dental practices or publishes tariffs specific to them. The cheapest supplier for one business is often not the cheapest for the next, because each prices on the consumption band, meter type, contract length and credit profile in front of it. Compare the total annual cost of like-for-like contract lengths rather than the headline unit rate, and check the standing charge and any out-of-contract rate before signing.

Energy usage profile for Dental practice

Dental practices typically have a distinctive energy usage pattern due to their operational requirements. The use of high-powered dental chairs, sterilisation units, and imaging equipment contributes to significant electricity consumption. Additionally, maintaining a comfortable environment for patients necessitates the use of heating or air conditioning systems, which can further impact energy usage. Lighting also plays a vital role as dental procedures demand precise visibility, necessitating the use of bright lighting solutions. Understanding these patterns can help practices make informed decisions regarding their energy supply and efficiency improvements.

What affects bills for Dental practice

Several factors can influence the energy costs for dental practices, including:

• Operational hours: Longer hours can lead to increased energy consumption.
• Equipment usage: High usage of electrical equipment such as autoclaves and imaging devices.
• Seasonal changes: Heating in winter and cooling in summer can affect bills.
• Energy tariffs: The choice of energy tariff can significantly impact costs.
• Building efficiency: Older buildings may have poor insulation, leading to higher energy usage.

How to compare tariffs

When comparing energy tariffs for a dental practice, consider the following checklist:

• Assess current energy usage patterns to understand needs.
• Identify peak operational hours and align with tariff offers.
• Look for tariffs offering competitive rates for business users.
• Check for any additional fees or contract terms that may affect costs.
• Consider fixed vs variable tariffs based on stability needs.

Gas vs electricity considerations

For dental practices, electricity is typically more critical than gas, due to the reliance on electrically powered dental and sterilisation equipment. However, gas may still play a role in heating the premises, especially in larger practices. Balancing the use of gas and electricity, while ensuring energy efficiency, can help manage overall energy costs effectively.

Switching process overview

Switching energy suppliers for a dental practice involves several steps:

1. Review your current energy contract and termination terms.
2. Gather usage data to understand your needs.
3. Compare alternative suppliers and tariffs tailored for businesses.
4. Choose a new supplier and agree on a contract.
5. Coordinate the switch date to ensure seamless energy supply.

More business energy guides

Return to our business energy hub to explore guides for other industries, or go directly to our business gas or business electricity pages.

Explore other industry guides

• Restaurant energy quotes
• Cafe energy quotes
• Pub energy quotes
• Hotel energy quotes
• B&B and guesthouse energy quotes
• Takeaway and fast food energy quotes