Meet our Finance Conference sponsors: Utility Aid

by Utility Aid

Utility Aid is the largest energy broker for the not-for-profit sector in the UK. Since becoming an SFHA associate, we want to see if we can help your housing organisation with our valuable aftercare services, including bureau and void management services, full account management and support in starting your journey to achieve net zero.

Update on Energy Bill Relief Scheme

We have been working closely with suppliers and partners to understand the impact of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the key points are as follows:

• The scheme will provide a discount on energy usage between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023.
• The discount will be automatically applied by your supplier.
• The discount will be based on the difference between the wholesale price on the day your contract was agreed and a government “supported wholesale price” of £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas.
• Fixed price contracts will only be eligible if agreed after 1 December 2021, including new contracts agreed between now and March 2023.
• Variable or out-of-contract rates will also get a discount based on the daily wholesale price over the period, but the level of discount is capped so customers are exposed to further increases in pricing that are being seen in the market.

Utility Aid latest Energy Report.

Utility Aid’s advice is as follows:

• Take sensible steps to reduce your usage, such as ensuring lighting and heating is off when the building is empty.
• If you are out of contract, variable and deemed and due for renewal – We want to stress the importance of getting into a contract as soon as possible to help protect you from eye-watering 'out of contract' rates.
• Fixed and protected contracts – If you want maximum price certainty, check the terms and conditions of a contract carefully before you sign it. You want to make sure that that the whole contract is fixed for the duration, not just for the energy itself. Some contracts are not as fixed as they first appear.
• Monitor your energy usage – take regular meter readings and keep a record to ensure you are being billed for actual amount you have consumed. This may also help you identify opportunities to reduce your energy costs.
• VAT and Climate Change Levy – please check you are being correctly charged on your bill.

Collective purchasing

For organisations wanting to have budget security for a longer period, you can align your energy contracts under a protected and fixed contract. During the course of this contract, you will receive the opportunity to join the national charity tender, which will give organisations the opportunity to purchase as part of a collective for their future energy provision. For more information on our national charity tender please visit this link.

If you would like to get in touch with Utility Aid, please complete this online enquiry form and please visit us on stand number 2 at the SFHA Finance Conference

We will be offering green tariffs to those who are interested, and we will continue to provide ongoing support with net zero and energy management upon request.