Gym or fitness centre energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

For gym and fitness centre businesses, managing energy costs is a critical aspect of operations. These facilities often require significant energy to power gym equipment, lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to maintain a comfortable environment for clients. Understanding energy usage patterns and exploring cost-effective energy tariffs can help gym owners reduce expenses and improve sustainability. With the right strategies in place, gym and fitness centres can optimise their energy consumption while maintaining high service standards.

How much does energy cost for a gym or fitness centre?

There is no published price list for gyms and fitness centres. What a gym or fitness centre 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 gyms and fitness centres?

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 gyms and fitness centres 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 gyms and fitness centres?

There is no single answer. Suppliers price business contracts individually rather than publishing standard tariffs for gyms and fitness centres, 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 gyms and fitness centres use energy

Gyms and fitness centres typically have a high energy usage profile due to their need to power various types of equipment and maintain adequate lighting and climate control. Many gyms operate for extended hours, requiring consistent energy supply to ensure all facilities are fully operational. During peak times, such as early mornings and evenings, energy demand can increase significantly as more members utilise the equipment and facilities. Additionally, specialised areas such as swimming pools and saunas can further contribute to higher energy consumption.

What affects energy bills for gyms and fitness centres

Several factors can affect energy costs for gyms and fitness centres:

• Operating hours: Longer hours increase overall energy consumption.
• Type and number of equipment: High-tech and multiple machines require more power.
• Climate control needs: Heating and cooling systems can significantly impact energy use.
• Facility size: Larger spaces generally consume more energy.
• Energy efficiency of equipment: Older, less efficient machines can lead to higher bills.

How to compare tariffs

When comparing energy tariffs for your gym or fitness centre, consider the following checklist:

• Evaluate peak and off-peak energy rates to match your operational hours.
• Assess fixed vs. variable rate contracts and their potential impact on costs.
• Check for green energy tariffs if sustainability is a priority.
• Understand contract length and cancellation terms.
• Review any additional services or benefits included, such as energy efficiency advice.

Gas or electricity: what matters most

For gyms and fitness centres, electricity is often the primary energy source due to the need to power equipment and maintain lighting. However, gas can be an important consideration if your facility includes a pool or sauna, as these often rely on gas heating. Balancing the use of both energy types effectively can help manage overall costs, especially if your centre uses significant amounts of hot water or requires consistent heating.

How switching works

Switching energy suppliers for your gym or fitness centre involves several steps:

1. Review your current energy contract and note the end date.
2. Compare available tariffs and select the most suitable option.
3. Notify your current supplier of your intent to switch, adhering to any notice periods.
4. Confirm the switch with your new supplier and provide any necessary documentation.
5. Coordinate the switch date to ensure continuity of 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.

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