Opus Energy

The Opus Energy Checklist

Security

• Are their prices fully fixed? No, all contracts allow pass through of cost changes
• Do they include metering and transportation costs in the price? Yes
• Do they include FIT and RO and CFD in the price? Yes
• What is their back billing policy? Limited to one year
• Do they require a letter of authority? Yes
• Does the contract lapse on change of tenancy? Yes

Transparency

• Is your contract end date on the invoice? Yes
• Is your termination date on the invoice? Yes
• When will your renewal letter arrive? 120 days before end date
• When do you need to terminate?At least 60-90 days before end date depending on contract
• Do they require termination letter by recorded delivery? Yes
• Will they rollover your contract? Yes dependent on contract option
• How high are the out of contract rates? 22.75p/kWh Electricity, 6.7p/kWh Gas

Convenience

• Do they mandate Direct Debit payment terms? Yes
• What are their Direct Debit terms? Variable, Monthly
• Do they offer Cash / Cheque payment terms? No
• Do they support reduced rate VAT declaration? Yes
• Do they bill monthly or quarterly? Monthly
• Do they provide online billing? Yes

Services

• Do they install smart meters as part of the supply contract? Yes
• Do they support existing smart meters with full functionality? Yes
• Do they provide New Connection & Upgrade Services? Yes
• Do they support IGT meters? Yes but requires bespoke pricing
• Do they support all electricity profiles including half hourly? Yes
• Do they support related and aggregated meters? Yes

Environmental

• Do they offer green and renewable products? No
• What is their Fuel Mix? 3% Gas, 0.6% Nuclear, 5% Coal, 91% Renewable

Other things to know about Opus Energy

The Oxford & Northampton based business:

• Is a specialist business supplier, they don’t deal with residential customers;
• Offer Fixed & Flexible price contracts; please note, Opus’ Fixed contracts include a clause allowing pass through of changes to third party charges such as transmission and distribution costs, Opus last invoked this clause in April 2014. All other elements of the contract remain fixed and a customer can terminate their agreement following any amendment subject to their terms and conditions;
• Provide inclusive Smart meters (above 12,000 kWh);
• Are willing to take on customers with any level of credit score including those businesses with low credit;
• Has limited their maximum Back billing period to 12 months;
• Offer free online account access;
• Have a UK based call centre and commit to picking up your call within two rings!

Security

Click on the following link to access Opus Energy’s latest contract terms for business energy customers:

• Opus Fixed T&C’s
• Opus Variable T&C’s

Are Opus Energy’s contracts fully fixed?

No, all elements of the Opus Energy price can be passed through. This means that when you agree a contract with Opus Energy the price can change through the contract term to reflect additional costs.

Commodity: Inclusive, Variable Transportation: Inclusive, Variable Metering: Inclusive, Variable FIT: Inclusive, Variable (Electricity only) RO: Inclusive, Variable (Electricity only) CFD: Inclusive, Variable (Electricity only)

Opus Energy also reserves the right to amend the terms of the contract in exceptional circumstances. These include:

• Where a change in law occurs affecting delivery of the contract.
• Where the customer fails to fulfil their obligations under the contract.
• Where gas customers fail to use the stated consumption under the terms of the contract.

To find out more visit our Guide to Fixed Prices.

Back billing and Opus Energy

Opus Energy is signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and currently limits back billing to one year for all SMEs including micro business. This is a market leading position. Many suppliers have voluntarily limited their back billing rights to two years and in some cases a single year. However equally a number of suppliers are not signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and therefore, under the Limitations Act, are able to back bill their customers for anything up to 6 years. Opus Energy are therefore the clear leader of the stronger suppliers in this area. To find out more visit our Guide to Back billing.

Opus Energy and Letters of Authority

In order to act on your behalf in securing your business a great energy deal Opus Energy require us to have a signed Letter of Authority from yourselves. The fastest way to authorise us to work on your energy supply arrangements is to use our eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority.

Change of Tenancy and Opus Energy

Moving into a premise is known as a Change of Tenancy in the business energy market. It has also been termed a Change of Occupier or is known by its acronyms CoT and COO. However it is referred to, the opportunities it opens up are the same. This is great news for deal seekers. Whilst the existing supplier is obliged to continue to provide energy to the new occupier, the occupier is not obliged to take out an extended contract with that supplier. Indeed a Change of Tenancy customer has total freedom of movement and is free to accept a contract with a supplier of their choice There are however of course a number of rules and requirements. Firstly, as the new occupier, if you use energy you will need to pay for it, regardless of your contractual status. Secondly, you will need to identify as quickly as possible the identity of the existing supplier Thirdly, you will need to field calls from sales organisations and the existing supplier themselves offering you contracts of varying lengths to continue or to begin to supply the premises. As a result as a new occupier you will need to agree a new contract either with the existing supplier or with a new supplier of your choice. Not only that but you will need to inform the existing supplier as quickly as possible that you are the new tenant to prevent you being held liable for charges incurred by the previous occupier should they not have ended their agreement satisfactory. It can prove a real headache knowing whom to trust – whether it’s the old tenant, the landlord the current supplier, the pushy salesman ringing, knocking and emailing, the prospective new suppliers. That’s where Business Juice comes in, by working on your behalf, identifying your existing supply arrangements, reporting your change of tenancy, ensuring you are not held liable for costs not incurred before your occupation and benchmarking contracts for your selection we can help you save time, money and a whole lot of stress.

eSign – Fast, Convenient Online Approval

The fastest way to authorise us to work on your energy supply arrangements is to use our eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority. We’ll take care of all correspondence, handle all the loose ends and enable you to focus on establishing your business in its new premise. And what’s more once your contract is in place we’ll manage your supplier relationship from beginning to end, all part of the Business Juice service.

Business Juice Top Tip Always ensure that you take opening meter readings on the day, or as close as possible to the day, that you move into the premises to ensure that you only pay for the energy that you use.

Transparency

Your Opus Energy Invoice places the contract end date on the rear of the first page of the invoice, this is in the section entitled “Contract Details”. In addition the date by which termination is required to ensure freedom of movement at contract end it also presented in this section. Opus Energy refer to this date as the ‘Relevant Date’. Not all suppliers do this. If in doubt feel free to fax us your bill on 0845 387 5701 or send it to hello@businessjuice.co.uk and we will help locate the information for you. Opus sends their renewal letter to customers around 120 days in advance of the contract end date. This will contain Opus’s proposal for your rates for the coming period. It may provide a variety of options or a single price. It will however not be the most competitive price available in the market as the renewal letter is designed for customers who don’t use an energy broker and as such are priced at a higher level than can be obtained in the market.

Business Juice Top Tip Every Business Juice client receives a unique key facts statement detailing all there is to know about their energy contract including all the important dates relative to your deal. Sign up today and take control with Business Juice.

Terminating with Opus Energy

For Opus Energy customers on their variable ‘rollover’ option:

You are required by Opus Energy to provide written notice at least 60 days before your contract ends of your intent to terminate your contract at the end of its fixed period. For Opus Energy customers on their fixed ‘rollover’ option: You are required by Opus Energy to provide written notice at least 90 days before your contract ends of your intent to terminate your contract at the end of its fixed period.

Business Juice Top Tip Terminating your contract is key to gaining freedom of movement and having access to the best deals for your next business energy contract. It pays to always be aware of your termination obligations so as to ensure that you act as soon as conditions allow in order to help you get the best out of the business energy market. Or better still sign up for our evergreen letter of authority and we will terminate on your behalf well ahead of time and provide you with a range of market leading options at the right time to suit your business.

Rollover contracts and Opus Energy

For Opus Energy customers on their variable ‘rollover’ option: Now, when as a Opus Energy variable rollover customer, your contract comes to an end, even if you have not contacted Opus energy or have not accepted their renewal offers you will simply be placed on their ‘”Variable Price Plan”. The “Variable Price Plan” will be more expensive than a “Fixed Price Plan” but it will allow you to leave within 30 days of giving notice. Of course it makes sense not to get to this point in the first place and so contracting well in advance is always recommended as even a short term stay on a “Variable Price Plan” will be significantly more expensive than other options. At least however you can be safe in the knowledge that if you do make a mistake and fail to contract properly the cost of your error can be minimised. However by using Business Juice you can avoid the potentially costly mistake of being exposed to variable rates.

For Opus Energy customers on their fixed ‘rollover’ option:

Now, when as a Opus Energy fixed rollover customer, your contract comes to an end, even if you have not contacted Opus energy or have not accepted their renewal offers you will be rolled over for a fixed term of 12 months. By using Business Juice you can avoid the costly mistake of falling into the rollover trap and paying premium rates for 12 months. To find out more about rollovers visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts.

Terminating but remaining on supply with Opus Energy

If you have provided termination notice to Opus Energy and expressed your intent for freedom of movement at contract end but you fail to leave Opus Energy’s supply you will be placed on Opus Energy’s out of contract rates. Don’t be caught out! By using Business Juice to manage your energy contracts we will terminate and manage your new contract seamlessly to ensure you avoid penalty rates.

Opus Energy and Out of Contract Rates

Opus Energy refer to their Out of Contract rates as Deemed Rate. An Opus Energy customer with a standard meter would be required to pay 22.75p/kWh for each unit of electricity used whilst out of contract and a standing charge of 85.00p/day. For gas customers the charges would be 6.7p/kWh and 50.00p/day Even one week exposed to this level of charges mounts up, that’s why clients taking our contract life management service makes sense: removing your exposure risk and letting you focus on your business confident in the knowledge that your energy contracts are in safe hands. To find out more visit our Guide to Out of Contract Rates

Convenience

Opus Energy mandates a Monthly, Variable Direct Debit meaning the amount you pay directly relates to the volume of energy you consume each month. Opus Energy does not offer cash/cheque payment terms. To find out more visit our Guide to Supplier Payment Terms. Click here for Opus Energy’s VAT declaration certificate. To find out if your business is eligible for paying the reduced rate of VAT on your business energy bill visit our Guide to VAT Declaration. Opus Energy operate a policy of billing their customers on a monthly basis. Opus Energy provide online billing functionality as standard within all of their contracts meaning the end of paper invoices for their customers whilst providing convenient access to their account data. If you have an Opus Energy invoice and are in doubt feel free to fax us your bill on 0845 387 5701 or send it to hello@businessjuice.co.uk and we will help locate the information for you.

Services

Opus Energy and Smart Meters

In line with the mandated rollout of smart meters Opus Energy installs meters for Profile 05-08 electricity customers and gas customers consuming more than 732,000 kWh per annum. Opus Energy, as part of their contract terms, also install smart meters for Profile 03-04 customers and gas customers consuming less than 732,000 kWh per annum. In addition Opus Energy will inherit smart meters of any type and will continue to operate the meter with its full smart functionality. This is done at no extra cost to you. For more information on Suppliers’ policies on smart metering visit our Guide to Suppliers & Smart Meters.

Opus Energy & New Connections and Upgrade services

Opus Energy currently only offer new connections and upgrade services to customers when they take out a new contract. If this doesn’t suit your requirements, to find out which suppliers meet your connections needs call us on 0800 051 5770. Go one step better and by appointing Business Juice to manage your energy contracts you can take advantage of our management fee free new connections and upgrades offer.

Opus Energy & IGT Meters

Opus Energy support meters supplied via IGT networks (Independent Gas Transporter). If your gas supply is delivered via an IGT network then unlike some suppliers Opus Energy can offer you a gas supply contract. However the meter will require a bespoke priced gas supply contract.

Opus Energy & Supporting Meter Types

Opus Energy support all meter types including Half Hourly (HH), Maximum Demand (MD), Seasonal Time of Day (STOD) and standard profile meters as well as ‘related’ and ‘aggregated’ meters. This means whatever metering system you have, including those supplied via an IGT network, Opus Energy can support it.

Environmental

Opus Energy provide renewable and green energy products within their portfolio as well as offering smart metering solutions to help your business use less energy. For the reporting period 2013/14, Opus Energy Group’s Fuel Mix was:

• Coal: 5%
• Gas: 3%
• Nuclear: 0.6%
• Renewable: 91%
• Other sources: 0.4%
• And produced CO2 of 62g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.0001g/kWh

Over the same period the national average was:

• Coal: 34.0%
• Gas: 25.6%
• Nuclear: 21.6%
• Renewable: 16.7%
• Other sources: 2.1%

Producing CO2 of 428g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.0017g/kWh

Business Juice Top Tip By selecting a supplier with a fuel mix that suits your business’ environmental credentials you can gain access to a renewable solution without paying premium green prices. By using Business Juice we can match up your needs with appropriate the fuel mix and enable your business to take support renewable initiatives.

To find out more visit our Guide to Fuel Mix.

Getting in touch

Does Opus Energy sound like the business energy supplier you’re looking for? If so call now on 0800 051 5770 or alternatively the fastest way to authorise us to work on your energy supply arrangements is to use our eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority. Not sure if Opus Energy is right for you? If you’re looking at switching your energy supplier, we’re here to help you determine whether Opus Energy is right for you. We take the research, negotiation and paperwork off your hands and help you switch to a better deal with your choice of new energy supplier. How we help you switch your business energy supplier Our team of energy experts can help you determine whether Opus Energy is going to be the right supplier for you. The service we provide is independent and impartial, making sure that you get exactly the right deal for your business.