How to Choose an Energy Consultancy

Businesses in the plastics industry are generally large energy consumers, which can make up a sizeable proportion of operating costs. One thing that businesses can do to reduce these costs is to work with an experienced energy consultancy, also known as a broker.

With more supplier choice on the market than ever before, the energy consultancy sector has boomed over the last few years. With such rapid and steep growth, businesses have had to adapt quickly in response to consumer demand, but the development of a robust regulatory framework to govern the industry is inevitably taking time to catch up. Sadly, this delay has been abused by a small number of industry members, leaving customers vulnerable to questionable practices.

With that in mind, what do businesses need to look out for when choosing an energy consultancy to ensure they’re getting a fair deal? Look no further – this is your complete guide to choosing an energy consultancy.

Cost

How much will you be paying, how will you be paying and what services does this cover? Whilst this may seem elementary, some brokers will take one commission from the customer, and another from the supplier, which secretly pushes up prices for the end user. Make sure to check the small print before signing – the cheapest deal is not always the best deal.

Ofgem

Have they signed up to Ofgem’s voluntary guidelines? Ofgem are the government’s regulator for gas and electricity markets in the UK. They have recently begun to take a closer look at the energy consultancy market and have created a voluntary code of conduct for consultancies and brokers. Those signing up to the code of conduct have to agree to be fair, honest, transparent and to act in the interests of their clients. This should be a bare minimum requirement for any consultancy you engage with.

Accreditations

Are they accredited? Ones to look out for include the ISO9001 quality certificate and the Register of Professional Energy Consultants (RPEC). These are awarded by independent third parties who ensure that businesses and their employees are meeting strict requirements to ensure quality and professionalism. These accreditations show that an energy consultancy is committed to providing the best service for their clients.

Honesty

Does what they are saying sound too good to be true? Unfortunately, one of the most frequent complaints customers have is that their broker has over-promised and under-delivered. Specific things to bear in mind include:

• Trustworthy consultancies will never make promises on what unit price they can deliver
• Trustworthy consultancies will have no issues with you speaking with the energy supplier to confirm commissions
• Trustworthy consultancies will acknowledge that they don’t always have all the answers, but will be willing to work with you to achieve them
• Trustworthy consultancies will set clear, deliverable service expectations

Ask Questions

Lastly, do not be afraid to ask questions! Energy can be one of the most expensive purchases for businesses in the plastics industry. Brokers are providing you with a service and should be able to answer any and all questions you may have.

There are great consultancies out there who will work with you on an individually tailored basis to get the best deals for your business. If you’re currently looking into your energy requirements or feel that now is the right time for a no-obligation stop-check, the BPF has relationships with tried and tested consultancies and can put you in touch. Let us know today!

Contact at LG Energy Group
(mention BPF Member)
Tel: +44 (0) 161 401 1001
E: [email protected]​ 
Web: www.lgegroup.com