Veterinary practice energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

Veterinary practices in the UK face unique challenges when it comes to managing their energy needs. With a steady flow of both routine and emergency cases, these practices often require a continuous and reliable energy supply to ensure that all medical equipment and facilities are operational at all times. From maintaining the right temperature for animal comfort to powering diagnostic equipment, energy efficiency plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of a veterinary practice. Understanding the specific energy requirements and potential cost-saving opportunities can help veterinary businesses manage their overheads more effectively, ensuring that more resources can be directed towards patient care and practice growth.

How much does energy cost for a veterinary practice?

There is no published price list for veterinary practices. What a veterinary practice 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 veterinary practices?

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 veterinary 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 veterinary practices?

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

Veterinary practices typically have a varied energy usage profile due to the diverse range of services they offer. Energy is used continuously for lighting, heating, and cooling to maintain optimal conditions for both animals and staff. Practices also rely heavily on electricity to power medical equipment, computers, and office machinery. Diagnostic tools such as X-ray machines, ultrasound devices, and surgical lights are energy-intensive, contributing to peak usage times during operating hours. Additionally, many practices may have refrigeration units for storing medications and vaccines, which require a constant energy supply to ensure they remain effective.

What affects energy bills for veterinary practices

Several factors can influence the energy bills of a veterinary practice, including:

• Opening hours: Longer operational hours mean increased energy consumption.
• Equipment usage: Frequent use of diagnostic and surgical equipment increases electricity demand.
• Building size: Larger premises typically require more energy for heating and cooling.
• Insulation quality: Poor insulation can lead to higher energy costs due to heat loss.
• Energy efficiency of appliances: Older or inefficient equipment can lead to higher energy usage.

How to compare tariffs

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

• Review current energy usage to understand your needs.
• Check if the tariff offers flexibility in contract length.
• Consider tariffs that offer green energy options.
• Look for fixed-rate tariffs to protect against price fluctuations.
• Examine any additional charges or hidden fees in the contract.

Gas or electricity: what matters most

For many veterinary practices, electricity is the primary energy source due to the extensive use of electronic medical devices. However, gas may be used for heating, especially in larger premises. Practices need to evaluate their specific needs to determine the balance between gas and electricity usage. Investing in energy-efficient appliances and considering renewable energy options can help manage costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the practice.

How switching works

Switching energy providers for a veterinary practice involves several key steps:

1. Gather recent energy bills to understand your current usage and costs.
2. Research and compare tariffs from different providers.
3. Select a new provider and agree on a contract that suits your needs.
4. Inform your current provider of your decision to switch.
5. Coordinate with both providers to ensure a seamless transition.

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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