Florist energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

Florist businesses rely heavily on a consistent and dependable energy supply to maintain the quality and freshness of their floral products. From powering refrigeration units that keep flowers fresh to ensuring adequate lighting for optimal plant growth and appealing displays, energy plays a crucial role. Understanding the energy needs specific to florists can help manage costs effectively while maintaining business operations smoothly. Given the diverse energy requirements, it is essential for florists to evaluate their energy usage patterns and explore competitive tariffs that align with their operational needs.

How much does energy cost for a florist?

There is no published price list for florists. What a florist pays depends on how much it uses in a year, when it agreed its contract and for how long, wholesale prices at that time, the standing charge, meter type, payment method and credit history. The most recent government figures, for the second quarter of 2026 (April to June, provisional), put the average price paid by UK non-domestic customers at 24.51p per kWh for electricity and 5.28p per kWh for gas, including the Climate Change Levy and standing charges and excluding VAT. A year earlier the averages were 24.03p and 5.31p. Smaller users typically pay more per unit: businesses using under 20,000 kWh of electricity a year averaged 38.36p per kWh, and those using under 278,000 kWh of gas averaged 9.31p 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 29 September 2026. Q2 2026 figures are provisional; next update 17 December 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, and not comparable with a supplier’s unit rate.

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 for a rough benchmark. A site using 15,000 kWh of electricity a year sits in the very small band: 15,000 × 38.36p is about £5,750 a year, or roughly £480 a month before VAT. A site using 60,000 kWh of gas a year: 60,000 × 9.31p is about £5,590 a year, or roughly £465 a month. The bands are statistical groupings used by the government, not supplier price breaks, so treat them as a guide to what similar-sized sites paid rather than a price you will be offered. To judge an actual quote, compare its total annual cost (unit rate × your annual kWh, plus the daily standing charge × 365) with what you pay now.

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. From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, electricity that qualifies for the reduced rate is charged at 0% VAT instead of 5% in England, Scotland and Wales; qualifying gas stays at 5%, qualifying electricity in Northern Ireland stays at 5%, and electricity returns to 5% from 1 April 2027. HMRC has not changed which supplies qualify or the certificate process; the same rules decide whether a supply gets 0% or 20%. Where a site is mixed, 60% or more qualifying use means the whole supply gets the reduced rate; 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), gov.uk VAT rates and HMRC Revenue and Customs Brief 10 (2026).

Do Ofgem’s microbusiness protections apply to florists?

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 florists 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 florists?

There is no single answer. Suppliers price business contracts individually rather than publishing standard tariffs for florists, so the cheapest supplier for one business is often not the cheapest for the next: each prices on the consumption, 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 what happens when the contract ends before signing.

How florists use energy

Florists typically have unique energy usage patterns compared to other retail businesses. The need to maintain the freshness of flowers often requires continuous operation of refrigeration units, which can be a significant energy draw. Additionally, florists require adequate lighting to enhance the display of their products and to support any plant growth activities. Seasonal variations can also impact energy usage; for instance, increased lighting may be needed during the shorter winter days to ensure that plants receive sufficient light. Understanding these patterns can aid in selecting the right energy plan.

What affects energy bills for florists

Several factors can influence the energy bills for florist businesses:

• The size and efficiency of refrigeration units.
• Types of lighting systems used and their energy efficiency.
• Operating hours and seasonal demand fluctuations.
• Building insulation and energy efficiency measures in place.
• Location and climate, affecting heating and cooling needs.

How to compare tariffs

When comparing energy tariffs, florists should consider the following checklist:

• Assess your peak and off-peak energy requirements.
• Check the flexibility of contract terms and exit fees.
• Look for tariffs that offer renewable energy options.
• Evaluate the customer service reputation of the supplier.
• Review any additional fees or hidden charges.

Gas or electricity: what matters most

For most florists, electricity is the primary energy source due to the need for lighting and refrigeration. Gas may be less critical unless used for heating, particularly in colder months. Electricity's role in maintaining the quality of flowers and ensuring a pleasant shopping environment makes it vital. Florists should prioritise electricity efficiency and consider renewable sources to align with sustainability goals.

How switching works

Switching energy suppliers can be straightforward with these steps:

1. Review your current energy usage and contracts.
2. Use a comparison tool to identify better tariff options.
3. Contact the preferred supplier to confirm the switch.
4. Provide necessary details and authorizations.
5. Notify your existing supplier of the switch.
6. Wait for the new supplier to confirm the switch date.
7. Monitor your first bill to ensure the rates align with expectations.

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.

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