Charities · Hospices · Community Organisations

    Charity Energy Rates for Every Good Cause

    Compare gas and electricity options from 30+ UK suppliers, with support built around charities, hospices, charity shops and community organisations.

    Climate Change Levy guidance

    Energy used for some qualifying non-business charitable activities may be eligible for CCL relief. We can help you understand what information to check with your supplier or adviser.

    0800-058-4297
    30+ UK suppliers Multi-site support CCL guidance Starts in 60 seconds
    A community-focused campus representing charity and not-for-profit organisations

    30+

    UK suppliers compared

    4

    Charity settings covered

    Image 0
    Image 1
    Image 2
    Image 3
    Image 4
    Image 5
    Image 6
    Image 7
    Image 8
    Image 9
    Image 10
    Image 11
    Image 12
    Image 13
    Image 14
    Image 15
    Image 16
    Image 17
    Image 18
    Image 19
    Image 20
    Image 21
    Image 22
    Image 23
    Image 24
    Image 25

    Charity energy reality

    Every pound spent on energy is a pound that cannot support the mission

    A charity may operate an office, community centre, food bank, hospice, care facility, shop or a portfolio containing several of them.

    Each site uses energy differently. Electricity can support lighting, computers, payment systems, fridges, freezers, security, lifts and specialist care equipment. Gas may provide heating, hot water or cooking.

    Rising costs can reduce the money available for staff, volunteers, services and community support. A review should therefore cover the unit rate, standing charge, contract length, renewal date and expected annual cost.

    The strongest comparison combines accurate contract data with the way each building actually supports its community.

    Charity priorities

    Review price, eligibility and building use together

    Good contract planning protects the budget without compromising care, safety or services.

    01

    Protect service budgets

    Review the total annual cost so more funding can remain available for frontline work.

    02

    Check CCL treatment

    Understand whether qualifying non-business use may be excluded from Climate Change Levy.

    03

    Control standing charges

    Consider fixed daily costs carefully, particularly for smaller or part-time sites.

    04

    Track every location

    Keep meters, suppliers, contracts and renewal dates visible across the organisation.

    05

    Match occupied hours

    Align heating and lighting with care, office, retail and community schedules.

    06

    Reduce avoidable waste

    Use readings and practical checks to find equipment or controls using more energy than expected.

    Charity-by-charity

    Energy support for four charitable environments

    CHARITY 01

    Hospices & care charities

    Reliable Energy for Essential Care

    Patient comfort, hot water and clinical support services create a continuous and sensitive energy requirement.

    Hospices and care charities use gas and electricity across patient rooms, heating, hot water, ventilation, lighting, kitchens, laundries, offices and support areas.

    Many facilities operate every day and cannot reduce essential demand in a way that affects care, comfort or safety. The energy contract must therefore reflect dependable, long-hour use.

    Some non-business charitable energy use may qualify for Climate Change Levy relief. Eligibility depends on the activity and should be checked with the supplier or a qualified adviser.

    • 24-hour essential services
    • Heating and hot water
    • Kitchens and laundries
    • Potential CCL eligibility
    CHARITY 02

    Charity shops & retail

    Protect More of Every Shop's Income

    Lighting, tills, heating and security can reduce the funds that a charity shop returns to its wider mission.

    Charity shops use electricity for display lighting, tills, card machines, stockrooms, CCTV and staff facilities. Gas or electricity may also support heating and hot water.

    A high standing charge or poor renewal rate can have a noticeable effect on a shop with modest usage and tight operating margins.

    Retail activity is normally treated differently from qualifying non-business charitable use, so organisations should not assume that CCL relief applies to a charity shop.

    • Displays and lighting
    • Tills and payment systems
    • Heating and security
    • Multi-shop portfolios
    CHARITY 03

    Community centres & halls

    Energy That Follows the Booking Diary

    Classes, food support, youth activities and events can create a demand pattern that changes throughout the week.

    Community buildings may open only for booked sessions or remain active most days. Heating and lighting should follow occupied hours rather than run on one fixed schedule.

    Large rooms, high ceilings, older windows, kitchens and hot-water systems can increase energy use, particularly during colder months.

    Reviewing accurate readings alongside the booking calendar helps the organisation compare a contract around the way the building is really used.

    • Variable booking patterns
    • Large shared spaces
    • Kitchens and hot water
    • Zoned heating schedules
    CHARITY 04

    Not-for-profit offices

    Clear Costs for Offices and Support Teams

    Computers, heating and out-of-hours systems can continue adding cost even when the office is used only part of the week.

    Not-for-profit offices use energy for computers, printers, phones, meeting rooms, lighting, staff kitchens, lifts, security, heating and cooling.

    Standing charges can be especially important for low-use buildings, while estimated bills may hide a change in real consumption.

    Regular meter readings and a clear shutdown routine help teams understand the site before comparing unit rates, standing charges and contract terms.

    • Office equipment
    • Out-of-hours demand
    • Accurate meter readings
    • Standing charge review

    CCL exemption

    What charities need to know about Climate Change Levy

    Some energy used by a charity for qualifying non-business activities may be excluded from Climate Change Levy. This can be relevant to care, hospice, shelter or community-support services, depending on how the site and energy are used.

    A charity should not assume that all of its energy qualifies. A building with both charitable and commercial activity may need those uses considered separately, and charity-shop trading can be treated differently from non-business charitable work.

    Confirm eligibility before making a claim

    Keep clear records and check the position with the energy supplier or a qualified adviser. Where applicable, the supplier may require a PP11 declaration.

    CCL review

    Questions to check first

    • Is the energy used for business or non-business activity?
    • Does one site contain both charitable and commercial use?
    • Has the supplier received the correct declaration?
    • Are current bills still charging CCL?
    • Are records available to support the claimed use?

    Multi-site charities

    One record for every contract

    Sites
    Meters
    Suppliers
    Renewal dates

    Record keeping

    Keep every site, meter and renewal date visible

    One charity may have an office, several shops, a storage unit and a community hall. Each location can have different usage, meters, suppliers and contract dates.

    A central record helps trustees, finance teams and managers see what expires first. It also reduces the risk of important information disappearing when staff or volunteers change.

    Start the comparison before the earliest agreement ends, not after the first renewal offer arrives.

    Avoidable renewal problems

    Four charity energy mistakes to prevent

    1

    Leaving renewal too late

    A renewal email can sit with a busy team member, trustee or former volunteer until comparison time is lost.

    2

    Unclear account ownership

    Finance, facilities, trustees and volunteers need one named owner for each contract and deadline.

    3

    Incomplete site records

    Missing meters, bills or renewal dates can make a multi-site charity harder to compare accurately.

    4

    Assuming all use is CCL-exempt

    Eligibility depends on the activity and use of the energy. Commercial activity can be treated differently.

    Before renewal

    Compare the whole cost before the charity signs

    The lowest headline unit rate may not create the best annual outcome if standing charges, contract length or payment terms do not fit the organisation.

    Use accurate readings, include every location and check whether the organisation's activities have changed since the last contract was arranged.

    0800-058-4297

    Prepare the details

    Charity energy checklist

    • Current supplier and contract end date
    • Electricity and gas meter numbers
    • Recent bills and annual consumption
    • Unit rates and daily standing charges
    • Every charity site and its main activity
    • Opening, booking or care-service hours
    • Any commercial and non-business use
    • Existing CCL declaration information

    How it works

    A clear charity energy review in four steps

    01

    Share your charity details

    Tell us about the organisation, its sites, current contracts and how each building is used.

    02

    Review usage and CCL

    We consider demand, standing charges and whether any qualifying non-business use needs further review.

    03

    Compare 30+ suppliers

    Available gas and electricity options are compared around your sites, usage and renewal dates.

    04

    Plan the next contract

    Review the full cost and terms, then keep the next renewal date clear for trustees and managers.

    What our customers are saying

    Trusted by UK businesses for clear advice, competitive prices, and hands-on support.

    4.90
    5

    Lucy Robinson just made my day...!! A human touch with attention to detail. Good old fashioned customer care, just as it should be. Thank you Lucy.

    MNMark Nuttall
    5

    I would highly recommend Utily4business. I dealt with Shahid who was extremely knowledgeable and was at the end of the phone to answer any questions.

    JJulie
    5

    Utility4business Ltd has looked after my interests for a few years now. They are very patient with me and explain all the options very well.

    RERichard Edmondson

    Charity energy FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Clear answers for charity trustees, finance teams, managers and volunteers.

    Trusted by UK organisations

    Compare charity energy around the way your organisation serves its community

    Free review · 30+ UK suppliers · Multi-site charity support

    bolt
    bolts

    Get Connected

    At Utility4Business, our team of experts can help you figure out the highest-value business utility deals that will help your business grow over time.

    Contact Us

    0800-058-4297

    info@utility4business.com

    Inquire with Your Details