Energy Help

Looking for some assistance with your Unicom energy service?

Find the most frequently asked questions and answers below. If you are unable to find your answer please contact our Customer Service team on 0161 946 4444.

Frequently Asked Questions

Business Energy

    Yes, you can take advantage of the online tools we offer by signing up to the Customer Zone. This will give you access to your invoices online, you can submit meter reads and you can benefit from the ongoing introduction of new tools we are developing to manage your account.

    If you experience a gas leak, report it immediately to National Grid on 0800 111 999.

    In the event of an electrical emergency such as a power cut or a sparking meter call 105 immediately.

    If you are unfortunate enough to experience a gas leak or power cut, Unicom will make every effort to ensure that your services are restored as quickly as possible, with minimal inconvenience and disruption to you and your business. Although we don’t offer compensation, we would advise you to seek appropriate business insurance.

    You’ll be billed monthly, which allows you to check your bills more regularly and spreads the cost out more evenly over the year. Payment will be collected by Direct Debit shortly after the bill is sent to you. Direct Debit collection dates cannot be amended.

    Market data will inform us how much gas and electricity gas and electricity customers used during the last 12 months. This will be the basis for calculating your monthly payments. Your meter will be read at least twice a year and adjustments will be made based upon these readings wherever necessary. You can also submit your own meter readings towards the end of each month to ensure your bill is accurate.

    If your usage for the period is below the de minimis threshold (33kWh/day for electricity, 145kWh/day for gas) then you will automatically pay the reduced rate of 5% VAT. Where your usage for the period is above this, the standard VAT rate of 20% would apply. If you run your business from a residential property and your usage is above the threshold, we can apply both the 5% VAT for your domestic usage and 20% for your business usage. You simply need to complete and return the declaration certificate.

    We will organise for your meter to be read around your start date. Your meter will be read at least twice a year to ensure you receive accurate bills and you are welcome to provide us with your own meter readings. Take a look at our guide to meter reading.

    Climate Change Levy has been introduced by the Government and is imposed on all businesses. The levy has been established to respond to global warming and all suppliers charge the same rate.

    All businesses must pay Climate Change Levy irrespective of who supplies you, unless you can produce a Climate Change Levy exemption certificate. Only charities and some horticultural societies will qualify for exemption. Your local tax office can provide further details if appropriate.

    CCL rates applicable from 1 April 2023 are:

    Electricity – 0.775ppkWh

    Gas – 0.672ppkWh

    The levy is subject to VAT.

    The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme was introduced by the government to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources in homes and businesses. To fund the scheme, electricity suppliers pass through a FiT charge onto the unit rates billed. All our unit rates quoted are inclusive of Feed-in tariff charges.

    If you suspect someone of committing Energy theft, or tampering with their meter, please click here.

    Should this be the case, we would ask all customers to call customer services on 0161 946 4444 at least 30 days’ prior to your moving date.

    Energy suppliers are required to take all reasonable steps to rollout smart meters to all of their domestic and small business customers by the end of December 2021.

    From January 2022 all gas and electricity suppliers will have binding annual installation targets to roll out smart and advanced meters to their remaining non-smart customers by the end of 2025.

    In contract
    Providing we’ve received all the necessary information required to complete the transfer and there are no contractual issues, we’ll transfer your service over to us at the end of your current contract end date.

    Out of contract / deemed
    From the 18th July, we’ll transfer your service over to us in 5 working days providing we’ve received all the necessary information required to complete the transfer and there are no contractual issues.

    If you’ve not terminated or renewed your energy contract with us before its contract end date, we’ll automatically roll your service on for another 12 months, in line with your terms and conditions.  We do this to stop you paying fluctuating Out of Contract rates.  We’ll be in touch around 60 days before your current contract end date to let you know your options.  If you don’t want to be rolled over, you need to tell us.  You can do this in writing or by calling us.  If you do opt out, at the end of your current contract, you’ll go on to our Out of Contract rates.