With energy bills soaring and the economy in a sharp decline, the BCC is urging Ofgem, the energy regulator to ensure that the current probe into the energy industry addresses a number of serious flaws in the way energy companies deal with businesses.
 
Furthermore with the consumer champion Energywatch set to be amalgamated along with several other consumer groups from 1 October, there is a cal for a new, independent and dedicated watchdog to be established, specifically focused on business energy concerns.

Energywatch analysis shows that 32,000 calls annually are received from businesses seeking advice. A new and dedicated business watchdog would ensure that this vital service is not lost in the creation of a single consumer group covering a range of industries.
 
When compared to domestic energy users, businesses are significantly more vulnerable to exploitation and unfair practice by energy firms. Some of the key differences include the provision of pricing. Whilst domestic suppliers are required to publish their tariffs for ease of comparison; there is no regulatory requirement to do so for business.
The basic domestic contract allows people to switch every 28 days, but for businesses long term contract commitments are demanded for up to five years which can be rolled over with little pre-warning.
Domestic energy users are entitled to a cooling off period on verbal contracts but for businesses, verbal contracts are immediately binding.
There is a one year restriction for back billing on domestic users. However there is generally no such restriction for businesses.

The Chamber Utilities^TM service offers members professional support to improve energy efficiency and purchase gas and electricity at the most competitive prices.  Advice is also available to help organisations reduce water bills.

The whole spectrum of energy use in business is examined using its national purchasing power to find you the most competitive prices. Chamber members benefit from a free no obligation annual energy health check which will identify all potential savings.

As part of the health check, analysts from Chamber Utilities^TM examine current consumption and unit costs, check for billing errors and ensure members have the right tariffs and supply capacity to suit their needs. Those purchasing energy through the Chamber service benefit from a supplier management service in which analysts deal with power suppliers on behalf of customers to save time, effort and frustration.

As an approved Carbon Trust consultancy, Chamber Utilities^TM provides free-funded energy efficiency surveys to qualifying companies and provides advice and support in implementing energy efficiency programmes.  Many other services are also available to help organisations comply with other legislation, such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

The Chamber Utilities^TM service is provided by Utility Auditing Ltd, part of UK-based sustainable energy technology company ENER-G plc.  Utility Auditing is an inaugural member of the Utilities Intermediaries Association (UIA) (www.uia.org.uk), a not-for-profit trade association for third party intermediaries which is helping to regulate the industry - driving up standards in energy brokerage and consultancy 

For further details contact Chamber Utilities^TM on 0845 120 2423, www.chamberutilities.co.uk