First Utility

The First Utility Checklist

Security

• Are their prices fully fixed? No, all contracts allow pass through of costs
• Do they include FIT and RO and CFD in the price? An approximation for FIT and RO are included however changes can be passed through; CFD not currently included
• What is their back billing policy? Limited to two years
• 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? No
• Is your termination date on the invoice? No
• When will your renewal letter arrive? 90 days before end date
• When do you need to terminate? At least 30 days before end date
• Do they require termination letter by recorded delivery? Yes
• Will they rollover your contract? Yes
• How high are the out of contract rates? 16.80p/kWh Electricity

Convenience

• Do they mandate Direct Debit payment terms? No
• What are their Direct Debit terms? Variable, Monthly
• Do they offer Cash / Cheque payment terms? Yes, in limited circumstances
• Do they support reduced rate VAT declaration? Yes
• Do they bill monthly or quarterly?
• 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? No
• Do they support IGT meters? No
• Do they support all electricity profiles including half hourly? Service suspended
• Do they support related and aggregated meters? Service suspended

Environmental

• Do they offer green and renewable products? No
• What is their Fuel Mix? Coal 46.8%, Gas 27.1%, Renewables 11.9%, Nuclear 8.4%

Other things to know about First Utility

• The Warwick based business:
• Specialised in smart meter backed contracts for businesses;
• Offered online and desktop monitoring of energy usage;
• Took care of all supply and installation of the meter;
• Offered one year or three-year contract options;
• Only considered customers with a credit score (Delphi) of more than 50;
• Catered for businesses of any annual consumption;
• Provided account management & energy efficiency support to their customers

Security

First Utility’s latest contract terms for business energy customers: First Utility T&C’s First Utility reserve the right to change the third party elements of the energy price where the third party pricing is subject to change. As a result the contracts sold by First Utility are not fully fixed. To find out more visit our Guide to Fixed Prices.

Back billing and First Utility

First Utility is signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and limits back billing for all SMEs including micro businesses to two years. Many other suppliers have voluntarily limited their back billing rights to two years and in some cases a single year. But First Utility have gone a step further and extended this to all SMEs and not just micro business. 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. First Utility therefore provides a strong offer in this area with smart metering reducing the risk, impact and likelihood of back billing. To find out more visit our Guide to Back billing.

First Utility and Letters of Authority

In order to act on your behalf in securing your business a great energy deal First Utility require us to have a signed Letter of Authority from yourselves. You can download your Letter Of Authority here.

Change of Tenancy and First Utility

Moving into or out of a premise is known as a Change of Tenancy in the business energy market. The existing supplier to the premise is obliged to continue to provide energy to the premise and under no circumstances will this be otherwise the case, however it is an obligation on the new tenant to agree a new contract either with that supplier or with a new supplier of your choice. Moving in to a premise supplied by First Utility If your business takes occupation of a site currently supplied by First Utility, you need to inform them as quickly as possible that you are the new tenant. This is critical for two reasons: 1) to prevent your business being held liable for charges incurred by the previous tenant 2) to ensure you can negotiate a competitive rate (and choose to switch if you desire) A Change of Tenancy customer has total freedom of movement and is free to accept a contract with a supplier of their choice. This is good news, however many unscrupulous sales businesses prey on new movers and force them into uncompetitive and unsuitable contracts. To find out more visit our Guide to Scams. It doesn’t have to be this way. By taking control, informing the supplier of your situation and using Business Juice to secure you the right contract for your business you can take advantage of one of the few re-contracting opportunities outside your renewal window. For your convenience, you can download your First Utility Incoming CoT Letter here. First Utility will also require one of four ‘proofs’ of the change of tenancy having occurred, these are:

• Confirmation from the landlord or brewery
• Confirmation from the estate agent handling the move
• Confirmation from the solicitor handling the move
• Copy of the mortgage completion letter (if property bought)

By providing this information together with the First Utility Business Incoming Change of Tenancy Letter you can secure your business the opportunity to strike a great energy deal for your needs. Moving out of a premise supplied by First Utility If your business is leaving a premise for which you currently have a First Utility Business contract, you need to inform them as quickly as possible that you are no longer the tenant. This is critical for two reasons:

1. to prevent your business being held liable for charges incurred by the new tenant
2. to ensure you can negotiate a competitive rate at your new premise

For your convenience, you can download your First Utility Outgoing CoT Letter here. First Utility will also want to know:

• The reason for your moving out

First Utility may also want to know:

• To where your business is moving (if applicable)
• Who the new occupier of the existing premise will be (if known)

You aren’t obliged to provide this information however always ensure you contact Business Juice as an ‘incoming’ tenant so you can save your business time and hassle and exploit the opportunity to strike a great energy deal for your new premise.

Transparency

Where to find your contract end date on your First Utility bill

We are currently awaiting clarification of First Utility’s policy on presenting contract end dates on invoices. 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.

When to expect your First Utility renewal letter

First Utility sends their renewal letter to customers around 90 days in advance of the contract end date. This will contain First Utility‘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.

Terminating with First Utility

First Utility requires that its customers provide at least 30 days written notice of their intention not to renew the agreement at the end of the Contract Period. For your convenience, you can download your First Utility Termination Letter here. Your First Utility Termination notice should be sent to:

SME Renewals Team First Utility Point 3, Opus 40 Business Park Haywood Road, Warwick CV34 5AH

Rollover contracts and First Utility

First Utility operates a policy of auto-rollover contracts. If you do not terminate your existing contract by the termination date relevant to your contract, it will be automatically extended by 12 months at the rates stated in your renewal letter. To find out more visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts.

Terminating but remaining on supply with First Utility

If you terminate but fail to leave First Utility’s supply at your contract end you will be placed on First Utility’s punitive Out of Contract rates.

First Utility and Out of Contract Rates

As at their release date of 30th December 2013, a First Utility Profile 3 customer with a smart meter would be required to pay up to 16.80p/kWh for each unit of electricity used whilst out of contract and a standing charge of 10.21p/day and an additional smart metering charge of 27.94p/day. To find out more visit our Guide to Out of Contract Rates

Services

First Utility and Smart Meters

First Utility offer smart meter backed contracts to their business energy customers and inherit pre-existing smart meter installations with full functionality. For more information on Suppliers’ policies on smart metering visit our Guide to Suppliers & Smart Meters.

First Utility & New Connections and Upgrade services

First Utility do not offer new connections and upgrade services.

First Utility & IGT Meters

First Utility do not currently support IGT (Independent Gas Transporter) meters.

First Utility & Supporting Meter Types

First Utility 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.

Environmental

Green & Renewable products and First Utility

First Utility currently do not offer any green or renewable specific business tariffs.

First Utility and Fuel Mix

For the reporting period 2013/14, First Utility Fuel Mix was:

• Coal: 46.8%
• Gas: 27.1%
• Nuclear: 8.4%
• Renewable: 11.9%
• Other sources: 5.8%
• And produced CO2 of 579g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.0007g/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 To find out more visit our Guide to Fuel Mix.

Getting in touch

Does First Utility sound like the business energy supplier you’re looking for? If so call us now on 0800 051 5770 Not sure if First Utility is right for you? If you’re looking at switching your energy supplier, we’re here to help you determine whether First Utility 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 First Utility 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.