Connor Campbell
Dan BarracloughMany or all of the products and brands we promote and feature including our ‘Partner Spotlights’ are from our partners who compensate us. However, this does not influence our editorial opinion found in articles, reviews and our ‘Best’ tables. Our opinion is our own. Read more on our methodology here.
EDF business energy at a glance
Founded in 2002, EDF is part of the international EDF Group, and is one of the largest energy companies in Great Britain.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), EDF Energy has three tariffs: Fixed for Business Tariffs, Fixed for Online Business Tariffs, and Freedom for Business Tariffs.
Meanwhile, EDF also offers personalised quotes for larger organisations spending more than £30,000 on electricity a year.
EDF Business Energy
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24/7 customer service?Yes
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EDF business energy pros & cons
Pros
- 24/7 live chat assistant is available for business energy enquiries.
- There are a variety of tariffs for SMEs, as well as personalised quotes for larger organisations.
- There are a range of options for paying your business energy bill.
- It has Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with renewable generators.
- It has Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) that allow larger businesses to set up a direct contract with a specific renewable generator.
Cons
- 100% renewable energy and zero-carbon tariffs are only available for larger businesses.
These pros and cons are based on an exclusive survey of UK business owners on what they found important when selecting a range of business products, conducted by NerdWallet in December 2022.
EDF business energy key features
- One of the largest energy providers in Great Britain.
- Three main tariffs for SMEs: Fixed for Business Tariffs, Fixed for Online Business Tariffs, and Freedom for Business Tariffs.
- 24/7 live chat customer support.
EDF business energy full review
According to EDF, you’re considered an SME if you spend less than £30,000 per year on energy. Large and public sector companies, on the other hand, are defined as spending more than £30,000 per year on energy. These larger businesses can normally negotiate bespoke contracts directly with EDF.
EDF currently provides several features that may appeal to your business, such as 24/7 live chat support, 24/7 access to its online management tools, and dedicated business customer service over the phone.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about EDF Business Energy at a glance in our table below.
| Electricity contract length | One to three years |
| Gas contract length | One to three years |
| Fuel mix disclosure | Coal: 1.6% Gas: 15.1% Nuclear: 63.1% Renewable: 19%* Other: 1.2% (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022) |
| Customer service number | 0333 200 5103 (SMEs) 0845 366 3664 (Large businesses) |
| Complaints number | 0333 200 5103 (SMEs) 0845 302 7109 (Large businesses) |
| Payment number | 0333 200 5108 |
| General email address | [email protected] (SMEs) [email protected] (Large businesses) |
| Complaints email address | [email protected] (SMEs) [email protected] (Large businesses) |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.2 stars (1 February 2023) |
| Smart meter installation | Yes |
| App | Yes (iOS and Android) |
| Payment options | Direct debit Bank transfer, debit/credit card American Express Cheque PayPoint, Payzone, and via the Post Office |
*While EDF Energy’s tariffs labelled 100% renewable are derived from renewable sources, other tariffs will use electricity from non-renewable sources.
EDF business energy features
Below, you can find more information on the features and tariffs available with EDF business energy.
Customer service
Making sure you can deal with any problems with your energy supply as and when they arise is a big priority for business owners. So much so that NerdWallet’s survey showed that 24/7 customer service is the number one thing business owners look for in a supplier.
Aware of this demand, EDF Energy has a 24/7 live chat function, which is a combination of dedicated SME advisers and a virtual assistant. However, it may not be available during busy periods, or times when there is a high chat volume.
SMEs can also contact EDF Energy using the following:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 0333 200 5103, from 9am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 5pm on Fridays
Larger businesses, meanwhile, are recommended to use the following:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 0845 302 7109, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Business energy tariffs
EDF currently offers three tariffs specifically for SMEs, and one flexible tariff to large businesses.
Additionally, larger businesses – those spending more than £30,000 a year on electricity – can negotiate bespoke deals with EDF directly.
This is good news for business owners – different tariffs to suit varying business sizes and needs is in the top three most important factors when choosing a business energy supplier, according to NerdWallet’s survey.
Fixed for Business Tariffs
At the moment, EDF’s Fixed for Business tariffs allow you to lock in the same price of energy for between one and three years.
A fixed-rate tariff means you know how much you will be charged for every unit of energy you use. However, bear in mind that your final bill will depend on your usage each month.
You can also get a 7% discount on your bill if you choose to pay by direct debit.
Fixed for Business Online Tariff
The Fixed for Online Business tariff could be an option for SMEs looking to save more money on energy. EDF states it is the cheapest business tariff it currently offers.
In terms of customer support, the Online tariff is a ‘lite’ version of the Fixed for Business tariff. This means you only have access to EDF’s online tools – not the call centre.
Freedom for Business tariffs
Unlike the fixed tariffs, the prices on EDF’s variable tariffs can fluctuate according to wholesale energy prices. You will be given 30 days’ notice if this happens.
One of the main features of this tariff is that you can leave or switch to a fixed tariff at any time without paying exit fees. You can also get a 7% discount if you pay by monthly direct debit.
Flexible contract for large businesses & public sector
Large businesses and public sector organisations spending more than £30,000 a year on electricity can negotiate bespoke contracts directly with EDF. This is because large corporations typically need more energy than standard tariffs can supply.
If you run a large business, you can also buy energy for fixed pricing or on flexible contracts.
Easy Fix Tariff (only available at renewal)
If you do not renew your contract, and are yet to arrange a switch to a new provider, EDF Energy will automatically place your business on its Easy Fix tariff.
With this tariff, you will have price certainty for 12 months, but will also be free to change your tariff or switch provider at any time without paying a termination fee.
Deemed rates
If you move into a business premises supplied by EDF Energy and haven’t arranged a new contract with EDF or another supplier, you will be placed on a deemed rate. You will be able to switch providers, or sign a new contract with EDF, at any time.
Additional fees and charges
It is important to remember that on top of your kWh usage, charged at your unit rate, you will pay:
- a fixed standing charge, which contributes towards maintaining the electricity network.
- VAT, either at 20% or the reduced rate of 5% (if your business uses less than 33kWh of electricity or 145kWh of gas a day)
- the Climate Change Levy (CCL), though there are exceptions to this tax
You will also be charged for third -party, non-energy costs that may vary from month to month. These can include:
- energy infrastructure costs
- low carbon generation costs
- National Grid energy-related costs
- security of supply costs
» MORE: Business energy tariffs explained
Payment options
The ability to pay by direct debit is the second most important consideration for business owners when it comes to selecting an energy supplier, based on NerdWallet’s survey results.
EDF Energy allows you this payment option, and will also give you a 7% discount if you sign up for the Fixed for Business or Freedom for Business tariffs and pay by monthly direct debit.
You can also pay by bank transfer, debit or /credit card, American Express, cheque, PayPoint, Payzone, and over the counter at the Post Office.
Smart meters
Given the difference smart meters can make for businesses looking to improve their energy efficiency, it is no surprise that smart meter installation is in the top five most important factors business owners look at when choosing a supplier.
To get a business smart meter installed at your premises, you will need to log in to your account and book an appointment with EDF.
Renewable energy options
EDF’s zero-carbon tariff for large businesses uses 100% nuclear energy. Zero-carbon means that no carbon emissions are produced in the energy generation process. This includes nuclear energy which, while not renewable, is cleaner than fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, any tariff labelled renewable is 100% from sources, such as hydro, wind, solar, biomass and landfill gas. It also has Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with renewable generators, as well as purchasing renewable energy certificates.
Although renewable electricity still goes through the National Grid, meaning you will not know whether the energy you receive is truly ‘green’ or not, a PPA means renewable generators have a direct source of income that allows them to maintain their operations.
EDF also offers Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs). This is when you set up a direct contract between your business and a named renewable generator.
Every megawatt hour (MWh) of renewable energy EDF supplies is backed by Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates. REGOs are a requirement of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), as part of the fuel mix disclosure regulations.
Although REGOs aim to give transparency to consumers about the amount of renewable energy a business has used, a supplier sourcing its energy directly from renewable generators is a stronger signal about how ‘green’ a tariff actually is.
» MORE: Renewable energy for businesses
Customer reviews
EDF Energy has a ‘Great’ Trustpilot rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 47,000 reviews (as of 1 February 2023). Bear in mind that these reviews are for EDF Energy as a whole, and not just its business offering.
How can I switch to EDF business energy?
- Decide on which EDF business energy tariff you want to sign up for, and contact EDF.
- Provide EDF with the information it requires, including your business address, your energy usage, and your company registration number.
- EDF will run a ‘soft’ credit check to ensure your business is eligible.
- If your business is eligible, EDF Energy will contact your existing supplier and advise them of the transfer date.
- On the day of your switchover, submit a meter reading to EDF Energy.
How to choose an EDF Energy business tariff
When choosing an EDF Energy tariff for your business, you should consider:
- whether you want to fix your unit rates for the length of your contract, or take the risk on a variable contract
- whether you want access to over the phone customer service, alongside online support
- whether you want the freedom to leave your contract at any time
Moving business premises with EDF Energy
For many businesses, moving locations can be challenging. EDF Energy makes it easy from an energy perspective. We’ve explained how it all works below.
Moving out of your business premises
You’ll need to provide your final meter reading from the premises once you’ve moved out, or when your lease agreement ends. EDF will calculate your final payment from this reading, which you will need to pay.
You may need to provide a valid Land Registration, tenancy agreement, management agreement or solicitor’s letter.
Moving into premises supplied by EDF Energy
In most cases, you’ll need to contact EDF and provide your Land Registration document, tenancy agreement, management agreement, and – sometimes – a solicitor’s letter.
You’ll also need your forwarding address for the previous owner, tenant or landlord, if possible. It’s best to call EDF directly to find out what you’ll need to provide.
Moving into premises and want to switch to EDF Energy
When moving into premises, you’ll need to contact EDF if you want to choose them as your supplier. From there, you will need to provide them with the information needed to create a quote.
From this point, if you choose EDF as your supplier, you will follow the steps to choose your tariff and create your account.
» MORE: How to switch business energy suppliers
Review methodology
At NerdWallet UK, we base our reviews and our ‘Best’ pages on the results of surveys we undertook about what was important to people who use these products. This allows us to look at products impartially of any commercial arrangements we have and fairly rate the products on the same set of criteria.
Best means our ‘Best’ and is based only on what products we have aligned to our surveys, which form the basis of our reviews and ratings. This means that there will be other products on the market that we have not included in our ‘Best’ pages. Best does not mean it’s best for you, nor does it mean the ‘cheapest’.
Our reviews may display lenders’ rates. This additional information has not been included in our evaluations but is still very important when choosing a product. Rates offered can depend on circumstances, amount and term. Always check details before proceeding with any financial product.
Product details reflect the information that was available at that time but may have changed since. We strive to give you a review on as many products as possible, but there will be products not included on the market. The review is our opinion, but it does not constitute advice, recommendation or suitability for your financial circumstances.
You can view our full review methodology here.
