Frequently asked questions

Joining Lite

What is Lite?

Created especially for small businesses, Lite is a fixed price energy service from British Gas. Lite costs less because we supply smart meters and we're entirely online. This means we can pass on savings to your business. With Lite, you can manage your energy use online – anytime, anywhere.

Who can use Lite?

Any business working from a single site with single gas and electricity meters.

How do I sign up for Lite?

After you’ve told your broker or energy consultant you want to go ahead with a Lite energy contract, they’ll let us know. If you are not already dealing with a broker, get a quote easily and quickly online. It'll be helpful if you have a current bill to hand, because we'll ask you how much energy your businesses uses, or how much you spend, to give you an accurate quote.

We’ll email you to ask that you create your online account and look over your contract details to make sure they’re right. If you don’t have an electricity smart meter, we’ll fit one for you.

We’ll ask you for your first gas and electricity meter readings just before we connect you to Lite (and before your electricity smart meter starts sending readings to us).

How do fixed price energy plans work?

Before you sign up for a Fixed Price Energy Plan, we’ll explain the key terms and conditions and make it clear that the contract is binding.

We’ll contact you within 10 days of agreeing the offer, and send you the link to an order confirmation pack that includes all your terms and conditions. Read all this information thoroughly.

Around 60 days before your Fixed Price Energy Plan is due to expire, we’ll contact you with a renewal quote.

If you’d like to switch suppliers, you can do so at the end of your energy contract.

If you don’t renew with us by the last day of your contract, we’ll put you onto our Variable Price Plan. You can go back onto a Fixed Price Energy Plan at any time.

Read our guide explaining what happens when your fixed price energy plan ends and how to renew.

What happens during my energy switch?

Here is a handy guide of what happens when you switch your business energy to British Gas Lite or a new supplier.

What are my deemed prices?

If you move into a site supplied by Lite you'll be placed on deemed rates. View our deemed prices for gas and electricity on our terms page.

Managing your energy account

How do I manage my Lite account?

Lite is an online-only product so you’ll need to log in to see your gas and electricity bills or account details and to contact us. We’ll send you an email when your bill is ready.

For you to register for your online account, we’ll send you an email with a unique link. You’ll need to choose your password and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account.

When you’ve registered, you’ll be able to manage your business energy by logging in to your online account with your email address and password.

What should I do if I have a problem logging in to manage my account?

If you can’t get into your account, try resetting your password from the log in page. Alternatively, contact us on webchat.

Can I change my payment method?

All Lite contracts are set up for monthly variable Direct Debit – this means you’ll pay monthly for the energy you use, direct from your account. We can’t accept other payment methods for our Lite products. If you need to change your Direct Debit instruction, log in to update this in your online account. If your direct debit requires multiple signatures please contact us on webchat.

How do I make a complaint?

If you have a query about your account you can log in and contact us via webchat.

If you want to make a formal complaint, we want to sort things out for you quickly. Take a look at our complaints handling process about the steps we’ll take to solve your complaint.

Alternatively you can contact us by email at complaints@britishgaslite.co.uk please allow a minimum of 5 days for us to respond

I’ve just moved into a site supplied by you. What do I do now?

If you’ve just moved to a new site supplied by us, please tell us about your business move.

What should I do if I'm having issues downloading a bill or document?

If you are experiencing issues trying to download a bill or document, it may be that you need to update the browser version you are using - some older browsers aren't supported. If this doesn't resolve the issue please try accessing your account from another browser or device.

What are the Lite VPP prices?

At the end of a fixed term contract with Lite, if you haven't renewed or moved to another supplier, you'll move on to Variable Price Plan (VPP) rates. You can view these rates on our terms page. To find out about upgrade offers contact us on webchat.

What happens when my fixed plan ends?

You'll receive a contract renewal email around 60 days' before your contract end date. If your fixed price product ends and you don’t choose a new product, you’ll automatically move onto our Variable Price Plan

Read our guide explaining what happens when your fixed price energy plan ends and how to renew.

Smart meters

What is a SMART meter and how does it work?

A smart meter is a gas or electricity meter that works by sending meter readings using technology similar to a mobile phone. The new generation of smart meters are called SMETS2.

SMETS2 meters are different to other smart meters as they continue to work even if you change energy supplier.

Data is transmitted through a communications hub to a company called DCC (Data and Communications Company). DCC manages the communications infrastructure that connects smart meters with the business systems of energy suppliers and network operators via a secure wireless network.

Once you're connected we'll regularly receive your smart meter readings. You'll no longer need to send us manual meter readings and you'll get more accurate bills as you'll only be charged for the energy you've used.

Not everyone is eligible to have a smart meter installed due to metering set up requirements and/or poor signal issues.

For more information about smart meters see our dedicated smart metering page.

Do I need a smart meter?

You need a smart meter to sign up for gas and electricity from Lite. If you don’t already have one, we’ll fit one free of charge. We’ve signed up to the Smart Meter Installation Schedule (SMIS) to ensure your installation is clear and easy.

Smart meters are designed to make life easier for businesses. Once connected:

• We'll automatically receive regular smart meter readings
• You won't need to send us manual meter readings
• You'll get more accurate bills and only be charged for the energy you've used

How long will it take to install my smart meter?

Normally, installation of a smart meter takes about an hour.

You’ll need to be there when we install your gas or electricity meters, as your electricity will be turned off during this time. If your meter is in a hard-to-reach place, or your set up is complicated, your installation will take longer.

Who will install my smart meters?

A fully trained engineer from one of our trusted partners. If more than one engineer is required you'll be notified of this. For advice on checking the identity of your British Gas Lite representative see our guide.

Once the new meter is installed they can also show you how your new smart meter works.

What do I need to do to prepare for my smart meter installation?

Please let our metering partner know if:

• any vulnerable adults, children or mains powered medical equipment could be affected when the electricity supply is turned off
• there are any other special requirements we need to know about before work starts
• there are any parking restrictions

Please also:

• clear the area around your current meter so that's it's as easy to access as possible
• if your meter is in a cupboard, make sure this is unlocked
• turn off any electrical items like alarms, security systems or computers, so that they're not affected when the electricity is turned off

Do I need a good mobile signal?

Yes, smart meters can use a variety of mobile networks and our engineer will choose the best.

Will I still get estimated bills?

We may ask you for a reading or send an estimated bill while your smart meter is being linked with our billing system, which can take up to 30 days. As soon as we start to receive your automated readings, you’ll get a smart meter bill. It’s possible that you could receive an estimated bill (based on your electricity usage history) if we’re unable to take an automated reading due to a poor signal.

Will I need to provide meter readings online?

Through your smart meters, we’ll receive your reads remotely each month. Occasionally, there might be a problem communicating with your meter. If this happens, we’ll ask you to send us your meter reading online while we investigate the issue.

When you join us, we may ask you to submit energy reads online for a while until your smart meter starts sending through reads automatically.

How do I read my smart meter?

View our main guide on reading your smart meter. To see how to take a meter reading from an AMR, SMETs 1 or SMETs 2 meter take a look at our guides here.

How do you keep my smart meter reading secure?

Our smart meters have built-in ways to protect your privacy. These include access controls, tamper-proofing and encryption.

Independent organisations regularly look at our systems to make sure that they’re secure and we have strong data protection measures in place.

What should I do if I think my smart meter is faulty?

Meter faults are uncommon. However, if you think that you’re paying more than usual for your electricity, or you get a bill you weren’t expecting, there could be a problem with your meter or the signal from your meter.

To see if your meter is faulty:

• Switch off all appliances in your business, including any with pilot lights
• See if the numbers displayed on the smart meter are still moving

If the meter is still moving, it’s probably faulty. If the meter stops, turn on one appliance at a time. If the meter begins to move quickly, the appliance might be faulty.

If you believe that your meter is faulty or that it isn’t transmitting your meter readings, please log in and talk to us via webchat. If your meter hasn’t been connected properly or isn’t working correctly, we’ll fix it for you – free of charge. The Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) Regulations will apply to your installation visit to ensure you receive the highest standards of service.

Can I switch provider with a smart meter?

Yes, you're free to switch to another supplier if you've had a smart meter installed by British Gas Lite.

Wherever possible, your new supplier will make sure the smart functions of the meter, such as remote meter reading, are still available to you. If you've had a smart meter installed by another supplier, you can still switch to British Gas Lite and we will attempt to communicate with your meter remotely. Until we’re able to communicate to your meter, we’ll email you each month to ask you to provide a meter reading online.

What happens if you can't install a smart meter at my property?

We will attempt to install a smart meter at your business. There may be occasions where we are unable to install the meter or unable to install on the first visit. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Poor mobile signal strength as your smart meter uses a SIM card, like in a smart phone, so relies on good signal strength
• The meter may be unsafe to move, maybe due to its location, its condition or the environment (i.e. asbestos)
• Additional work might be needed by yourself or the local network operator.

Whatever the reason, the engineer on site will explain the reason for not being able to install a smart meter for you at that time.

If we’re unable to install a smart meter, we will contact you and inform you of the next steps, which may include you providing monthly readings to us through your online account. We’ll email you each month that a reading is due.

Why couldn’t my smart meters be installed by the engineer on the agreed day?

Sometimes our engineers face issues during the installation and smart meters can’t be installed on the day. This could be because there isn’t enough room to get near the existing meters, cupboards or objects may have been built around the meters or there isn’t enough space to fit the new smart meters.

Our engineer should have discussed this with you so you can decide if you want to make changes to fit your new smart meters. We’ll always work to finish your smart meter installation as quickly as possible, so once you’ve made the changes either let our Installer know or contact us on webchat.

Why can’t I get a business smart meter?

Not every business is eligible to get a smart meter straight away. This may be due to meter installation requirements and/or poor network signal.

• Signal – if you have no network signal or a week signal at your premise the SMETS2 smart meter will not be able to send readings to the Data and Communications Company (DCC), who manage the communications infrastructure that connects smart meters with the business systems of energy suppliers and network operators. DCC are constantly working on solutions to minimise this issue where needed.
• Meter type – we’re rolling out SMETS2 , replacing existing meters by type starting with single phase single rate meters and then moving on to polyphase and switched load functionality meters.
• Space – some existing meter installations don’t provide enough space for the SMETS2 smart meter communications hub to be installed.

Webchat

Who should I contact if I have no gas or electricity?

If you have an energy emergency, you don’t need to contact us on webchat. You should contact your network operator – find out more about energy emergencies.

What are the opening hours of webchat?

Our UK-based webchat team is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm excluding bank holidays.

On exceptionally busy days, we may have to close our lines at 4.45pm in order to resolve remaining queries efficiently. If you can, please start your webchat as early as possible.

Who can I contact outside of opening hours?

If you have an energy emergency, please contact your network operator – find out more about gas and electrical emergencies. For other queries, please contact us on webchat during our opening hours so we can help you. You can also contact your broker during their opening hours about your account.

What should I do if I’m experiencing issues with webchat?

If you are experiencing issues loading webchat try the following steps to correct the issue:

1. Check you have javascript enabled by clicking this link www.whatismybrowser.com or www.enable-javascript.com - the webpage will tell you whether javascript is enabled or not. Also check that you don't have any tools or settings blocking cookies on sites you visit. You must have cookies and javascript enabled to use our website.
2. Check you don’t have any extensions on your browser which may block content e.g. Adblock Plus, Disconnect, NoScript, Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin
3. On your desktop or laptop try completing a hard refresh by loading our webpage then click Ctrl + F5 simultaneously; the page will refresh, this may resolve any caching issues.
4. Try accessing webchat from another device or browser i.e. another laptop, tablet or mobile.
5. If you are using Firefox check to see if it is applying tracking protection.

Other information

Am I a micro business?

According to Ofgem, you’re a micro business if you meet any one of the following conditions:

• Use less than 100,000 kWh of electricity a year
• Use less than 293,000 kWh of gas a year
• Have fewer than 10 employees and your yearly turnover is not more than €2 million

What should I do if I have received an email that looks like a scam?

If you think you’ve been sent a scam email it could be a phishing scam. Phishing scams are used by criminals to steal personal information. To do this, they send emails claiming to be from a genuine company. Sometimes, they even ‘spoof’ email addresses so that the message seems to be from our systems.

If you think you’ve been sent a scam email from British Gas Lite, please send it to us at phishing@centrica.com so we can investigate.

Common scam emails contain attachments you’re not expecting, links you’re asked to click on, or offer you something of value like a refund. They often don’t refer to you by name.

What can I do to protect myself against scam emails?

• Don't click on attachments and links you're not expecting
• Disable the use of ‘macros’ in Microsoft Office documents
• Always make sure your software is up-to-date
• Always run an up-to-date virus checker

How do I spot genuine emails from British Gas Lite?

• They will only provide links to the British Gas Lite website.
• They will address you by name, not ‘Dear customer’.
• If you’re not sure the email is genuine, then go directly to www.britishgaslite.co.uk in your browser to log in to your account instead of clicking on the link.

What should I do if I receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from British Gas Lite?

• British Gas Lite and our partners will not ask you for information like your annual consumption or your full meter details. Be alert if you receive a call asking for these, or for your financial details.
• Search the phone number you’ve been called from online to see if it’s been recorded as suspicious.
• Ask the caller for their name and phone number to call them back.
• Report nuisance callers to your phone provider who can arrange to block them.
• You can also register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) or the Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS). If the problem continues you can make a complaint to the TPS or the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).
• See Ofcom's advice on nuisance calls here.

How can I reduce the energy I use in my business?

There are a number of simple things you can do to increase the energy efficiency of your premise and reduce your bills such as:

• Turn off your lights and non-essential equipment when your premise isn’t occupied
• Invest in timed switches to automatically switch lights or appliances off at the end of the day
• Use the energy saving features of your office equipment
• Install efficient lighting with movement sensors and daylight detectors to make sure lights are only on when they are needed
• Invest in energy efficient equipment. Older appliances typically use more energy than modern models
• Create a ‘green team’ who are responsible for putting energy efficient measures and staff awareness campaigns into practice

For further information on how to reduce the energy your business uses check out our energy saving tips for small businesses.

Do I pay VAT on my business energy use?

You will automatically be charged the standard rate 20% VAT unless you complete a declaration form for the reduced rate of 5% VAT. If you have more than one account with us you will need to fill out a separate form for each account. To complete the form go to ‘Submit VAT declaration’ on your account dashboard and fill out the required fields.

How do I qualify for reduced VAT?

Certain businesses can apply for reduced rate VAT of 5%. You may be eligible for this if:

- your business is a charitable or non-profit organisation.

- at least 60% of your usage is for domestic purposes.

- your usage falls below a certain amount. The threshold is less than 33kWh of electricity or 145kWh of gas per day. This should automatically be applied to your bill.

For more information see here. To apply for reduced VAT, go to ‘Submit VAT declaration’ on your account dashboard, and fill out the required fields.

What support information do you have on Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Read our latest updates and FAQs on how we are supporting our customers and employees.

If you are having difficulty paying your bills please visit our financial support page.

Emergencies

What should I do if I have an electrical emergency?

If you have an electrical emergency, please call 105 from your landline or mobile phone, free of charge. This gives you up to date information about power cuts and electrical faults in your local area.

If there is a high risk you should call the emergency services immediately.

You can also call 105 if you notice damage to electricity powerlines and substations that could put you, or someone else, in danger.

105 is a free service available to businesses in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information, go to Power Cut 105.

Once the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) has made it safe or advised you to contact your supplier, please contact us via webchat. During the week use our webchat service to speak to one of our friendly advisers between 9am to 5pm. On evenings, weekends and bank holidays please call 01253 501 478.

What should I do if I have a gas emergency?

If you've got a gas emergency you'll need to contact the National Gas Emergency Service immediately by calling 0800 111 999. Find out more on our emergencies page.

We’re here to help

How do I sign up for British Gas Business Energy?

To find out more about British Gas Business Energy, you can contact us on webchat. If you’re interested in British Gas Lite, our online only service, you can get a quote in seconds online.

I am already a British Gas Lite customer, can I move to Business Energy?

If you’re already a British Gas Lite customer then you will have agreed a fixed contract with us. We won’t be able to move you to a new contract while you have an active contract with us. If you’re interested in moving to Business Energy when your British Gas Lite contract ends, you can contact us on webchat.

I’m a Business Energy customer, how do I access your phone number?

You can find our customer service number on any of the communications we’ve sent you, including your contract pack and monthly statements. Or you can contact our webchat team when you log in to your online account