Author Archives: Sophie Taylor
Energy brokers are crucial in helping businesses manage their energy needs, but common misconceptions lead to missed business opportunities. Many believe brokers are just middlemen or unnecessary expenses, but a reliable energy broker can provide invaluable expertise and support. In this blog, we’ll address some of the most common misconceptions about energy brokers and highlight how a trustworthy broker, like the Green Energy Advice Bureau (GEAB), can benefit your business.
“Energy brokers are untrustworthy.”
This is one of the most common misconceptions, but as with any industry, there are good and bad ones. Make sure you do your research and find an energy broker that will ensure your business gets the most out of working with one. At GEAB, we pride ourselves on our trust and transparency when it comes to our customers, so don’t be surprised if we get straight to the point – we don’t want to waste your time beating around the bush.
“They only put in a process. I’m looking for a strategic plan.”
The traditional process of sourcing business energy can often feel like a repetitive cycle. Typically, as your contract nears its end, you receive a renewal quote from your supplier about three months in advance. You might then seek better deals by comparing prices online or consulting a broker, only to repeat the same process with each contract cycle.
However, partnering with the right energy broker can transform this experience. For example, if your contract ends on 30th November 2026, you can secure a new contract starting as early as 30th November 2024 – two years in advance! You can even lock in contracts for up to five years in duration, ensuring stability until 30th November 2031. This proactive approach allows you to take full advantage of market opportunities and lock in competitive rates in advance. Additionally, we offer strategic support to help your business achieve net-zero goals, providing tailored sustainability advice and innovative energy solutions. This means you’re not just managing contracts but building a forward-thinking energy strategy.
“I still have to talk directly to my supplier.”
Working with a good energy broker means you will never have to talk to a supplier. At GEAB, once you enter a contract with us, you’ll be assigned to a dedicated account manager who will liaise with you. If you have any questions or complaints about your supplier, all you have to do is let your account manager know by phone or email. They will do the rest, ensuring you are kept informed about the query and given all the answers you are looking for as soon as possible.
“I have to pay commission directly to the broker.”
You don’t pay us anything directly, we are paid by suppliers directly based on the energy you consume. We make sure that all of these charges are very clear before you sign any contract. We don’t believe in hiding our earnings from our customers.
“It’s not a regulated industry.”
From 1st October 2024, following a detailed Retail Market Review of the non-domestic energy market, Ofgem published its decision to make it an obligatory requirement that companies disclose Energy Supplier’s Third-Party Costs. This means that any commission a broker makes must be displayed, and any information, when asked, must be provided to a customer. Although this is a new requirement, it’s something that we’ve been doing here at GEAB since we first opened. Requirements like these are only being introduced because other brokers out there are having to catch up.
Understanding the role of an energy broker is essential to making informed decisions about your business energy needs. By debunking these misconceptions, it’s clear that the right broker offers transparency, convenience, and strategic insight. At GEAB, we are committed to providing insightful and comprehensive services, ensuring our clients receive the best value and support.
Our energy experts are waiting to give you the best energy strategy for your business. Allow us to take control and make sure you are ahead of the curve. Call us today on 0191 303 7750 for your free consultation – alternatively, click here to book a call back.
At GEAB, we pride ourselves on securing businesses tailored, cost-effective energy solutions. Since 2018, we’ve worked closely with The Lowe Group to help them navigate the complex energy market across their extensive portfolio of properties, ensuring they are on the right gas and electricity contracts for each site’s requirements.
The Lowe Group, a property management company, found that keeping on top of multiple utility accounts was becoming increasingly challenging, especially for the larger properties that often had several meters per site. With a small team and limited resources, they found it difficult to allocate time and energy to manage their utility contracts – that’s where we stepped in.
Our team of experienced energy consultants now organises every utility account in their portfolio, ensuring each property remains financially viable. This enables The Lowe Group to focus on what they do best – revitalising unused buildings and supporting local communities.
As The Lowe Group shared, “Knowing that there is someone with the expertise that we lack just a phone call away has made a huge difference to us. We don’t have the capacity to devote huge amounts of time to managing all these accounts effectively, and so The Green Energy Advice Bureau has taken that pressure away from us.”
Through our service, we’ve saved the Lowe Group time and hassle and secured cost-effective energy contracts. This has led to significant financial savings, enabling them to reinvest in their community-focused initiatives.
The success of our relationship with The Lowe Group stems from our shared values. Just as they are committed to supporting local communities through property guardianship and affordable workspaces, we are committed to delivering energy solutions that allow businesses to succeed.
We’re proud to continue supporting The Lowe Group in their mission and look forward to many more years of working with them.
If you’re in a similar position to The Lowe Group, unsure of how to handle your energy and sustainability solutions, contact us today at 0191 303 7750 for a free, no-obligation consultation on how we can help your business.
We’re very excited to announce the launch of our brand-new brochure, which details the services we offer here at GEAB. Whether you’re a business looking for sustainability solutions, energy procurement, or water management, our brochure covers it all.
Following our rebrand in early 2024, we spent months perfecting the design and content to ensure it reflects our mission, values, and commitment to helping businesses with their utility services. Inside, you’ll find everything from how we work to make sure you’re on the best energy contracts, to the benefits of having a dedicated personal account manager.
Explore our brochure below!
Would you prefer a physical copy? We’d love to send one to you — just email us at customercomms@geab.com with your name and address and we’ll get one in the post.
With Labour now leading the UK government, we are preparing for significant shifts in the energy and climate policy. The Labour Party’s ambitious plans aim to address the climate crisis, reduce energy costs, and create numerous jobs. On the 18th of July, His Majesty the King announced the government’s legislative agenda, which included a commitment to “rebuilding Britain” with over 40 bills and draft bills.
Here’s an overview of Labour’s policies and what businesses can expect in the coming years.
Setting Up Great British Energy: Cutting Costs Effectively
A central aspect of Labour’s energy strategy is the establishment of Great British Energy, a publicly owned company intended to stimulate investment in clean, domestic energy production. Yesterday, it was revealed in the King’s Speech that plans are already underway for this initiative. Great British Energy seeks to stabilise and lower energy costs by co-investing in advanced technologies and supporting capital-intensive projects. To enhance long-term energy security, Great British Energy will be capitalised with £8.3 billion over the next parliament.
Achieving Energy Independence
Labour aims to achieve energy independence by significantly expanding onshore wind, solar power, and offshore wind capacity by 2030. Since coming into power on the 5th of July, Labour has already lifted the ban on onshore wind farms that were put in place by the previous government, the Conservatives. This strategy intends to leverage the UK’s natural resources and technological capabilities, which will help reduce dependence on foreign energy sources and enhance energy security for businesses.
The Path to Clean Power by 2030
Labour’s commitment to achieving clean power by 2030 involves significant investment in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen technology, and marine energy. Additionally, support for new nuclear power stations and small modular reactors aims to expand the energy mix while maintaining energy security through strategic reserves.
Accelerating to Net Zero
Labour’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions aims to enhance international competitiveness for British businesses. By supporting energy-intensive sectors in their transition to cleaner technologies and introducing carbon border adjustments, Labour seeks to safeguard UK industries while meeting global climate targets.
Labour’s comprehensive plan for making Britain a clean energy superpower presents significant opportunities and challenges for businesses nationwide. As developments unfold under Labour’s government, our blog will continue to provide updates and insights to help businesses navigate these changes effectively.
If you need any help with your business’s net zero plans, contact us today at 0191 303 7750 for guidance on the latest technologies in sustainability.
Thinking back to last month, Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made headlines as he unveiled the Spring Budget. His announcement showcased a range of key initiatives aimed at steering the country towards a greener, more sustainable future, with a notable focus on energy.
- Investing in Clean Energy: A massive £120 million has been set aside for a clean industry fund. This fund will support various sectors pivotal to the UK’s energy transition, including electric vehicles, low-carbon aircraft technology, battery storage solutions, offshore wind farms, and carbon capture projects.
- Nuclear Power: The government has committed £160 million to developing two nuclear sites. While one location remains undecided, the other is confirmed to be built in North Wales, with ownership from Hitachi Japan. This move emphasises a strategic shift towards nuclear energy as part of the UK’s energy mix, as it will reduce carbon emissions and ensure long-term sustainability.
- Windfall Tax Extension: The windfall tax was introduced because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict due to the surge in gas prices. This meant that North Sea oil and gas companies were taxed more, which targeted the profits of these companies. The announcement was that the government decided this tax would be extended an extra year for the companies to 2029 rather than 2028.
However, among these commitments, one notable absence was the lack of specific investment in plans to achieve net zero goals, not just for businesses but for the country.
While the Spring Budget gives us a rough idea of what’s to come, businesses must remain adaptable in navigating the evolving landscape of energy transition and sustainability.
We are dedicated to supporting your journey towards net zero with tailored solutions for your exact business requirements. Call our experts today on 0191 303 7750, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.
Understanding how to read and submit accurate meter readings for your gas or electricity usage is crucial to ensure you receive precise billing. The process may vary based on your meter type, but we are here to help make that process as quick and as efficient as possible.
It’s important to give us a meter reading before your contract starts so we can let your supplier know how much energy you’re using at your premises. This will help make sure that you are billed correctly. You can continue to send monthly meter readings to us at metering@geab.com to make sure you’re paying the correct amount throughout the length of your contract. This can be done by simply sending us a photo of your meter.
If you’re not sure what kind of meter you have, below we outline guidelines for various popular meters to help you how to give us a meter reading:
Smart Meters:
If you have a smart meter, it will be straightforward for you to see your reading, as it should be shown on the screen.
Electricity Meters:
For electricity meters with a digital display:
- Read the display from left to right, focusing on the main numbers.
- Disregard numbers in red, anything after a decimal point, or any additional spaces.
- Submit
Economy 7/Domestic Economy Meters:
If you’re on these tariffs, your meter will display two sets of figures for regular and cheaper hours. For Economy 7 or Domestic Economy meters:
- Locate your meter display’s ‘Low’ and ‘Normal’ rows.
- Read both sets of numbers corresponding to energy used during regular and cheaper hours.
- Submit both readings for accurate billing.
Gas Meters:
For gas meters, readings may be imperial or metric.
Imperial Meter:
- Read the first four numbers from left to right.
- Please Include leading zeros but ignore red numbers or anything after them.
- Note: If the meter reaches 9,999, it resets to zero automatically.
Metric Meters:
- Read all five numbers.
- Disregard red numbers or any subsequent figures.
- Submit
How to submit a meter reading to The Green Energy Advice Bureau:
Whether you have a smart meter simplifying the process or a traditional meter with digital displays, understanding the specific steps ensures that you provide your energy supplier with precise readings. Regularly submitting accurate readings not only helps to avoid billing discrepancies but also contributes to a more sustainable and responsible use of energy.
We’re here to make this process as simple as possible for you, don’t hesitate to contact one of our energy experts at 0191 303 7750 or metering@geab.com. They are dedicated to assisting you and providing guidance for a seamless energy meter reading experience.
