30-Second Overview
High commercial gas bills are a concern for many Irish businesses. This guide explains 11 practical ways to reduce business gas costs, from switching suppliers and avoiding expensive tariffs to improving heating efficiency and reducing energy waste. Many of these measures require little or no investment and can deliver immediate savings.
⚡ If you are pressed for time and want to make sure that you are on the best gas rate on the market, upload a recent gas bill using the link below. Our energy experts will analyse it for free. 👇
How Can Businesses Reduce Gas Costs?
The following 11 tips will help your business reduce gas consumption, avoid unnecessary charges and secure better rates from energy suppliers.
1. Switch Your Natural Gas Supplier
Switching gas suppliers or negotiating a better rate with your existing supplier can reduce gas costs by up to 55%. Comparing prices before your contract expires also helps you avoid expensive out-of-contract rates.
💡 Pro-Tip: Utilityfair can quickly compare your current gas rates against every supplier and calculate how much your business could save, whether you switch suppliers or stay with your existing provider.
2. Use Energy-Efficient Equipment
Choose energy-efficient gas appliances when replacing equipment, and make sure existing boilers, heaters and other gas-powered equipment are regularly serviced and maintained. Switch off equipment when not in use to avoid unnecessary gas consumption.
3. Lower the Thermostat
Reducing your thermostat by 1°C can lower heating costs by up to 10%, depending on your premises, heating system and operating hours. Heating should be programmed to match your business's operating hours, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption when the premises are unoccupied.
- Use a programmable thermostat to regulate temperatures automatically.
- Restrict access to thermostat settings to prevent unnecessary adjustments.
- Avoid turning heating off completely during freezing weather to protect pipes and equipment.
4. Seal Draughts and Improve Insulation
Seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent heat loss and reduce heating costs. Draught-proofing is a relatively inexpensive measure, while longer-term investments in wall and roof insulation can deliver further savings and improve comfort.
5. Reduce Hot Water Waste
Repair leaking hot water taps and avoid heating more water than your business needs. Insulating hot water pipes and storage tanks can also reduce heat loss and unnecessary gas consumption.
6. Engage Your Employees
Encourage employees to adopt simple energy-saving habits, such as turning down heating in unused rooms, closing doors and reporting heating faults. Assign someone responsibility for monitoring energy consumption and identifying opportunities to reduce waste.
7. Encourage Warm Clothing
Allow employees to wear warmer clothing during colder months, where appropriate for their working environment. This can help maintain comfort without unnecessarily increasing heating temperatures.
8. Keep Exterior Doors Closed
Keep exterior doors closed whenever possible to prevent heat loss and reduce heating costs. For businesses with frequently used entrances, such as shops, hotels and restaurants, automatic door closers or entrance lobbies can help retain heat during colder months.
9. Don’t Block Heaters or Vents
Keep radiators, heaters and ventilation outlets clear of furniture, stock and other obstructions. Blocked airflow reduces heating efficiency and increases energy consumption.
10. Conduct an Energy Audit
An energy audit can identify where your business is wasting energy and highlight opportunities to reduce gas consumption. Start by reviewing your gas bills, heating schedules and equipment efficiency. For larger businesses, a professional energy audit can identify further savings opportunities.
11. Avoid Out-of-Contract or Rollover Rates
When your gas contract expires, your supplier will automatically move you onto expensive out-of-contract rates. These are usually 30–40% higher than negotiated rates. Review your contract well before its expiry date and compare prices across all suppliers to secure the best available deal.
How to Get the Best Commercial Gas Rates
Contacting different suppliers and comparing gas rates can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. The quickest way to reduce business gas costs is to compare rates across all suppliers and secure the best available deal. Don't assume your existing supplier is offering the lowest rate without comparing the alternatives.
Utilityfair is Ireland's largest and most reviewed business energy broker, trusted by over 20,000 businesses nationwide and rated 5 stars on Trustpilot. We make the process simple by:
- Comparing gas prices from all suppliers based on your actual usage.
- Providing a side-by-side comparison showing the best available rates and potential annual savings.
- Arranging your new gas contract once you've selected your preferred option.
- Monitoring your contract expiry date so you avoid expensive out-of-contract rates.
👉 Get Started Today!
Fill out our enquiry form by clicking the link below or call 01 547 0999 to speak with a Utilityfair energy expert and start saving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Start by comparing gas prices across suppliers, adjusting heating schedules, lowering thermostat settings and reducing unnecessary hot water usage. Many of these measures require no upfront investment and can deliver immediate savings.
Switching gas suppliers or renegotiating with your existing supplier can reduce gas costs by up to 55%. The actual savings depend on your current rates, gas consumption and available supplier offers. Utilityfair can compare all suppliers and calculate your potential annual savings for free.
High gas bills can result from expensive unit rates, out-of-contract charges, inefficient heating equipment, poor insulation or unnecessary gas consumption. Reviewing your gas bills alongside your heating and operating schedules can help identify where costs can be reduced.
Review your gas contract annually and at least 1-2 months before its expiry date. This gives you time to compare suppliers, negotiate better rates and avoid expensive out-of-contract charges. Utilityfair monitors contract expiry dates and reminds customers when it's time to review their rates.
Compare current gas prices across all suppliers immediately. Out-of-contract rates can be 30–40% higher than negotiated rates. You may be able to secure a cheaper contract with your existing supplier or switch to a better deal elsewhere.
Lowering thermostat settings, programming heating to match operating hours, servicing boilers, insulating hot water pipes and preventing heat loss through doors and windows can all reduce gas consumption. The biggest savings depend on how your business uses gas.
For businesses with high gas consumption, a professional energy audit can identify inefficient equipment, heat loss and opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Smaller businesses can start by reviewing their gas bills, heating schedules and equipment maintenance before investing in a professional audit.
Fixed contracts provide price stability and protect against sudden market spikes. Monthly (variable) contracts can be cheaper if wholesale prices are falling, but they carry more risk. The right choice depends on your risk tolerance and market conditions.
