Don't let energy costs affect your charity

Energy Saving Tips for Charities

Implementing energy saving can make a big difference to your gas and electricity bills. Whether your charity is office based or you run a shop, you can make simple changes to save energy.

Take control of your heating

The best way to reduce your energy bills is by reducing your heating bill. This doesn’t mean you have to freeze. But by controlling your thermostat carefully, you can ensure you stay warm and avoid wasting energy.

The Energy Saving Trust recommends keeping your thermostat between 18 and 21°C. Equally, using timers for your heating and lighting, and switching to LED lighting will also mean your energy bills stay low.

Small changes can reduce your electricity bills

When it comes to your electricity bills, small changes can make a big impact. Switching to energy efficiency light bulbs is a great place to start. LEDs are on average 70% more efficient than traditional alternatives.

For offices, electronic equipment such as computers and printers can be a real drain on your energy bill. Make sure you avoid leaving computers and laptops on standby overnight and weekends. By ensuring computers are turned off, you knock hundreds of pounds off your energy bill.

How to Find the Best Energy Prices for your Charity

Check You're Receiving VAT Discounts

Many charities may not be aware that they should be paying a reduced VAT rate. You may be entitled to pay VAT at a rate of 5%, rather than the standard 20%. Your energy must be used for activities related to the work of a charitable organisation.

For an energy bill at £84 per month, you could save £150 over a year by paying a reduced VAT rate.

A charity will pay the reduced 5% VAT on business gas and electricity bills if you use 60% or more power at your premises for one of the following, which are classified as non-commercial activities:

• Residential accommodation (for example, a children’s home or residential home for the elderly)
• Charitable non-business activities (for example, a community centre or animal shelter)
• Small-scale use (up to 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month or a delivery of up to 2,300 litres of gas oil)

If the energy in your premises is used for both business and charitable purposes, things get a bit more complex. In this case, you will pay the standard rate on the part of your bill (up to 60%) that is used for commercial purposes. If more than 60 per cent qualifies as charitable usage, the reduced or zero rate is chargeable on your whole bill.

Compare Prices from more than one Supplier

To find the best energy deal for your charity, you should compare a wide range of business energy suppliers. By only comparing with one supplier, you could miss out on a great energy deal. At Business Electricity Prices, we make it easy to compare a range of trusted suppliers. Just enter your postcode into our quote calculator to compare the latest energy prices.