Professional services office energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

Office-based professional services, such as legal firms, consultancies, and accountancy practices, have distinct energy needs that differ from other sectors. These businesses often rely on a consistent and reliable energy supply to power computers, lighting, heating, and cooling systems, which are essential for maintaining productivity and a comfortable working environment. Understanding the energy demands specific to office environments can help these businesses manage costs effectively. By comparing energy tariffs tailored to their needs, office-based businesses can potentially manage overheads and improve their bottom line.

How much does energy cost for a professional services office?

There is no published price list for professional services offices. What a professional services office 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 professional services offices?

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 professional services offices 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 professional services offices?

There is no single answer. Suppliers price business contracts individually rather than publishing standard tariffs for professional services offices, 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 professional services offices use energy

Office-based professional services typically exhibit a steady energy usage pattern throughout the working day. Energy consumption primarily revolves around lighting, office equipment like computers and printers, as well as heating and cooling systems to maintain a comfortable working environment. Unlike industries with high energy demands, such as manufacturing, office environments generally have moderate energy usage but can still benefit from efficiency improvements. By understanding their energy profile, businesses can identify opportunities to reduce waste and optimise their energy use.

What affects energy bills for professional services offices

Several factors can influence energy bills for office-based professional services:

• Number of employees and office size: More staff and larger spaces typically increase energy consumption.
• Equipment usage: Offices with high-tech equipment may see higher energy use.
• Office hours: Longer operating hours can lead to increased energy costs.
• Seasonal changes: Heating in winter and cooling in summer affect energy usage.
• Energy efficiency of appliances: Older, less efficient equipment may consume more energy.
• Contract type: Fixed vs variable rate tariffs can influence cost predictability.

How to compare tariffs

When comparing energy tariffs for an office in professional services, consider the following checklist:

• Understand your current energy usage patterns and costs.
• Identify the type of tariff that suits your business needs, such as fixed or flexible rates.
• Consider the length of the contract and any early termination fees.
• Check for any additional services, like energy efficiency advice or renewable energy options.
• Review the reputation and customer service ratings of potential suppliers.

Gas or electricity: what matters most

For most office-based professional services, electricity is the primary energy source, powering computers, lighting, and office equipment. However, gas may still play a role in heating, particularly in larger premises. The decision to focus on gas or electricity will largely depend on the specific energy needs of the office, the existing infrastructure, and the potential benefits of switching to more efficient systems or greener energy sources.

How switching works

The process of switching energy providers for office-based professional services can be straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Review your current contract terms and notice period.
2. Compare tariffs using a reliable comparison tool specific to business energy.
3. Choose a new supplier and agree on a contract that meets your needs.
4. Notify your current supplier of your intention to switch.
5. Coordinate with the new supplier to ensure a smooth transition with no service interruption.

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

• Estate agency energy quotes
• Lettings agency energy quotes
• Property management company energy quotes
• Co-working space energy quotes
• Call centre energy quotes