⚠️ Think That Online Energy Quote Is the Best You Can Get? Maybe Not…

Many online energy quotes look competitive — but built-in uplifts can quietly add hundreds or even thousands to your bill each year. Here’s how to spot them, and why transparency matters.

If you’ve ever grabbed a business energy quote from a supplier’s website or a big-name comparison platform, you might assume you’re getting the fairest price possible.



But in many cases, that “quote” already includes a hidden uplift — and you’re never told about it.

💸 The Hidden Uplift: What We Found

We recently compared quotes from a leading online energy brokerage platform — one of the biggest in the UK.

Here’s what we discovered:

• 1.1p/kWh uplift added to a 2-year business electricity quote
• An uplift also applied to the standing charge
• No mention of these uplifts anywhere in the online sales journey

The quote looked like a standard supplier offer — but it had already been marked up by the platform before you even saw it.

And this isn’t unusual.

We’ve seen uplifts of 1p/kWh or more (maximum 3p/kWh) across both supplier websites and broker-led quote tools. Unless you know what to look for — or have someone compare it for you — you may never know.

💰 What Does That Cost a Business?

And that’s just the uplift on the unit rate.


Add in an inflated standing charge and your actual annual energy cost could be far higher than necessary.

📌 Want to Know If You’re Overpaying?

We’ll review your current quote and show you:

Whether an uplift has been added

How much it’s costing you

What a transparent alternative looks like

🤔 Why Are These Uplifts Still So Hard to Spot?

Because even with Ofgem’s October 2024 rules in place, they’re still profitable — and still confusing.

The rules require all non-domestic energy contracts to clearly disclose broker fees, including uplifts.

But in reality:

• The uplift is often only shown at the contract-signing stage
• It’s buried in the principal terms (which many clients don’t know to check)
• Even when it’s there, it’s not always clear what it means or how it affects your price

Yes, regulation is a step forward — but it hasn’t fixed the problem.

If you’re relying solely on a supplier website or online platform, you’re still likely seeing a price that’s:

• Pre-loaded with a broker’s margin
• Presented as a standard supplier rate
• Not explained until the very end — if at all



That’s why we believe in upfront transparency — not just ticking a compliance box.

⚖️ A Fair Uplift vs. Taking the P*ss

Let’s be honest: suppliers rarely, if ever, offer true base rates directly. That’s where brokers and online platforms can add value — negotiating and accessing better deals.

And yes, uplifts are how brokers (including us) make money.

But there’s a big difference between a fair commission and taking the p*ss.

We believe:

• A fair uplift should be disclosed upfront
• It should reflect the value of the service provided
• It should be tailored to the client, not blindly applied



If you accept an online quote without questioning what’s behind it, you could be paying more than you need to — without even realising it.

💬 So What Should You Do?

If you want to start your search with an online platform — go for it.
It’s a quick way to get a rough idea of pricing.

But don’t stop there.

Always check the quote with a broker — especially one who’s upfront about how they earn and who can explain what’s really in the price.

We do this every day for our clients, and in most cases we’ll either:

✅ Beat the price
✅ Or explain exactly where the uplift is coming from



Either way, you walk away more informed — and potentially better off.

✅ What Makes The Smart Energy Company Different?

• We compare 28+ suppliers, including the Big 6 and independents
• Yes — we include commission in our quotes too. But the difference is: ours is lower than the industry average, negotiable, and always upfront.
• We’re transparent about our commission — no hidden margins, no games
• You get clear, honest advice — and a quote that works for your business

🧠 Final Thoughts

Before you lock into your next energy contract, ask yourself:

“Is this the base rate — or am I unknowingly paying someone’s uplift?”

If the website doesn’t tell you, there’s a good chance it’s hiding it.

At The Smart Energy Company, we’ll show you:

• ✅ The real price
• ✅ The real options
• ✅ How to avoid overpaying

👉 Request a Transparent Quote or Speak to an Expert for a no-obligation review of your current quote.