British Gas says the quickest way for its business energy customers to reach it is web chat, and that its chat and phone advisers are available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with bills, meter readings and Direct Debits managed in an online account. If you would rather someone else took the problem on, Black Sheep Utilities can deal with British Gas for you.
How do British Gas business customers get in touch?
British Gas’s business contact page sets out three routes for standard business energy customers. Web chat is the one it recommends as the quickest. Advisers are also available by phone during the same hours, 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. And the online account is where customers view bills, submit meter readings, change Direct Debit settings and update their details. British Gas says it powers over 350,000 UK businesses, from local shops to large commercial sites.
British Gas Lite, the online-only product for small businesses, works differently: British Gas says Lite customers can only use web chat. If your account is on Lite, our British Gas Lite page covers it.
Knowing the channels is one thing. Having the time to use them is another. A straightforward question can be dealt with in one chat, but a disputed bill, a meter that has been estimated for months or a transfer that should not have happened usually needs several conversations, and someone has to keep track of what was said and chase the next step. For most business owners, that someone is also running the business. You can read more about the company on our British Gas supplier profile.
How can Black Sheep Utilities help with British Gas?
We deal with British Gas for our customers so that they do not have to. Black Sheep Utilities is a business energy and water broker in Brighton, with a phone line and real people. With a Letter of Authority, a short signed document that authorises us to speak to the supplier about your account and act on your behalf, we can raise a query with British Gas, send the evidence it needs and follow it through.
The problems we take on are much the same with every supplier: meter readings that have not been accepted and bills based on estimates, billing errors such as the wrong rate or the wrong meter, and supplies transferred in error. We also pick up renewals that were missed, which can leave a site on out-of-contract or deemed rates; Ofgem says these are usually more expensive than a fixed-term contract. You deal with one point of contact at Black Sheep Utilities throughout.
Because we are a broker, we can also look at the contract itself while the problem is being sorted out. If your British Gas contract is close to its end date, or has already rolled over, we can compare prices for your business electricity and business gas across the market and arrange a better contract at the same time.
How do I get started?
Existing Black Sheep Utilities customers can call us on 01273 914000. We already have your details and can normally help straight away.
If you are not yet a customer, tell us what’s happening. We need your company name, contact details, the meter and site information, which supplier you are with and what the issue is. We then send you our Meter Information Form and, once a Letter of Authority is signed, contact British Gas on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions
Does British Gas business energy have a phone line?
Yes. British Gas says its advisers take calls from business energy customers 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and that web chat, during the same hours, is the quickest route. British Gas Lite is different: it is online-only and uses web chat. If you would rather not spend time on either, we can handle the query for you.
Can a broker deal with British Gas for me?
Yes. Once you have signed a Letter of Authority, British Gas can discuss your account with us, and we can raise and chase the query on your behalf. Customers call us on 01273 914000; anyone else can tell us what’s happening.
If a British Gas problem is taking more of your time than it should, talk to the Black Sheep Utilities team.