Key Takeaways
- £1,868 projected annual saving identified by analysing E.ON Next deemed rates against an EDF Energy quote (37% reduction)
- Communal areas meter serving a 72-unit build-to-rent development was on deemed rates at 35.6p/kWh
- Quoted rate of 24.60p/kWh includes Meet George's transparent 1p/kWh fee - nothing undisclosed
- This was an analysis and quote only - the switch did not proceed due to a supplier issue, but the saving demonstrates what was available
Who this is for: Property managers, build-to-rent operators, facilities managers, and anyone responsible for communal area energy contracts across multi-unit developments.
About Red Clover Gardens
Red Clover Gardens is a 72-unit award-winning build-to-rent development in Coulsdon, Greater London, developed by Farlane Capital. Recognised for its design and sustainability, the scheme offers energy-efficient homes with strong connectivity to central London. Learn more about Meet George and how we help UK property businesses save on energy costs.
The Challenge
A Communal Meter Stuck on Deemed Rates
Like many multi-unit developments, Red Clover Gardens has several electricity meters covering different parts of the site. One of these - the communal areas meter covering shared lighting, lifts, and corridors - had rolled onto deemed rates with E.ON Next after its contract expired.
The result? A unit rate of 35.6p per kWh and a standing charge of 200p per day - adding up to over £5,000 a year for a single meter. For context, Ofgem's business energy guidance confirms that businesses on deemed rates typically pay significantly more than those on active contracts.
In short: An award-winning development was paying well above market rate on its communal electricity - simply because one contract had expired and defaulted to deemed rates.
Multi-site properties are particularly vulnerable. With several meters across a development, it's easy for one to slip through the cracks when contracts expire - especially if the focus is on residential units rather than communal supplies. Learn more about deemed rates.
The Approach
Analysis and Quote
Meet George identified the overpayment and sourced a competitive alternative:
- Deemed Rate Detection: We identified that the communal areas meter had rolled onto E.ON Next deemed rates - paying 35.6p/kWh when competitive fixed contracts were available at nearly half the price.
- Market Comparison: Using live pricing data from UK business energy suppliers, we compared the deemed rates against current market contracts available for this consumption profile and meter type.
- Tariff Selection: We identified the EDF Fixed for Business Online tariff at 24.60p/kWh (including our transparent 1p/kWh fee) as the best fit - balancing price, supplier reliability, and contract length for the property's needs.
- Quote Delivery: Farlane Capital received a full comparison showing the 37% saving available by switching from E.ON Next deemed rates to the EDF 12-month fixed contract.
The Results: 37% Saving Identified
£1,868 Projected Annual Saving
Our analysis found that switching from E.ON Next deemed rates to an EDF Fixed for Business Online contract would save Red Clover Gardens £1,868 per year on their communal areas electricity - a 37% reduction locked in for 12 months.
Full Cost Comparison
| Metric | Previous | New | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Energy Spend | £5,002 | £3,135 | -£1,868 |
| Unit Rate | 35.60p/kWh | 24.60p/kWh | -31% |
| Standing Charge | 200.00p/day | 50.00p/day | -75% |
| Annual Consumption (EAC) | 12,000 kWh | 12,000 kWh | - |
| Contract Type | Deemed (out of contract) | 12-Month Fixed (Online) - Quoted | Price protected |
| Total Projected Saving | £1,868 (37%) |
All prices exclude VAT and Climate Change Levy (CCL). Prices are fully inclusive of data collection and meter operation costs.
Understanding Your Tariff
EDF Fixed for Business Online
Red Clover Gardens was quoted an EDF Energy Fixed for Business Online (FOL) tariff. We think it's important you understand exactly what that means - including the trade-offs.
The FOL tariff is EDF's online-only fixed rate product. It offers a lower price than their standard fixed tariffs because you manage your account entirely online - no call centre support. For a property management company that handles energy admin digitally, this isn't a drawback.
Key things to know about this tariff
- Online-only management - all account queries handled via the EDF online portal, not by phone
- Smart meter required - must be installed within 3 months of the contract start date, or EDF may adjust pricing. Smart meter installation is free under the UK smart meter rollout
- Pass-through clause - while the unit rate is fixed, EDF's clause 3.2.1(b) allows price adjustments for external regulatory or network cost changes. This is common across most "fixed" business tariffs
- No volume tolerance - unlike some smaller suppliers, EDF has no minimum consumption requirement or volume tolerance clause
Why EDF FOL was the right quote here: With a 37% potential saving, backed by a Big Five supplier with no personal guarantee requirement and no volume tolerance, the FOL tariff offered the best combination of price, reliability, and low contractual risk. The 12-month term would keep the commitment short.
Industry Insight
Why Property Operations Overpay
Build-to-rent developers and property managers are experts at creating great places to live. But managing multiple commercial electricity meters across a development means contracts can expire without anyone noticing. According to Ofgem's guide to business energy contracts, regularly reviewing energy contracts is one of the simplest ways to reduce costs.
When a communal areas meter defaults to deemed rates, the costs are absorbed into operational budgets - often without anyone questioning why the numbers have crept up. If you suspect this has happened to your property, our guide on how to switch business energy walks through the process step by step.
Common Issues We See
- Multiple meters across a development - easy for one to slip through
- Communal area meters overlooked when residential units are the focus
- Deemed rates kick in silently when contracts expire
- Property managers assume existing suppliers offer competitive rates
If you're on deemed rates, you can switch immediately with no exit fees. There's no contract to break - you're already out of contract. Learn how our transparent 1p/kWh fee works, or join the waitlist to get early access when we launch.
Transparency
What This Does NOT Mean
This was an analysis and quote, not an actual switch. Red Clover Gardens did not switch their supplier through Meet George. We performed an analysis and sourced a competitive quote, but the switch did not proceed due to a supplier issue with EDF.
The £1,868 saving is a projection, not a realised saving. This figure represents what Red Clover Gardens could have saved based on the EDF Energy quote we obtained. Actual savings would depend on completing the switch and ongoing consumption patterns.
This covers one meter on a multi-meter site. Red Clover Gardens has several electricity meters. This case study covers the communal areas meter only. Other meters on site may be on different contracts and rates.
Your savings will depend on your starting point. Red Clover Gardens was on deemed rates at 35.6p/kWh on a 12,000 kWh meter. If you're already on a competitive fixed contract, your savings percentage will be lower. The biggest savings come from escaping deemed rates.
Market rates change constantly. The EDF rates quoted were valid at the time of analysis (Q1 2026). Energy prices fluctuate daily - your quote may differ based on market conditions, consumption profile, and credit assessment.
Assumptions & Methodology
Data Sources: E.ON Next deemed rate pricing confirmed for meter. EAC (Estimated Annual Consumption): 12,000 kWh. Meter type: 03 (single rate meter). EDF Fixed for Business Online quote obtained.
Calculation Method: Annual cost = (unit rate x EAC) + (standing charge x 365). Quoted rate includes our transparent 1p/kWh fee. All prices exclude VAT and CCL. Saving based on like-for-like annual comparison.
Analysis date: Q1 2026 | Quoted term: 12 months (Fixed Online) | Meet George fee: 1p/kWh (included in quoted rates)
Check the contract status of every meter on your property. If any have expired, you're almost certainly on deemed rates - and overpaying by 40% or more. Communal area meters are the ones most likely to be overlooked.
Check Your Meters For FreeFAQs
Common questions
Straight answers about this case study.
Deemed rates are expensive default tariffs that suppliers charge when a commercial energy contract expires and hasn't been actively renewed. They can be 40-80% more expensive than contracted rates. Red Clover Gardens was paying 35.6p/kWh on deemed rates versus a quoted EDF fixed rate of 24.6p/kWh. Learn more about what deemed rates are and how to escape them.
Yes. Communal area meters in build-to-rent developments are commercial supply points and can be switched just like any business energy contract. Our analysis of Red Clover Gardens identified a potential 37% saving (£1,868 per year) on a single communal areas meter. If you manage a multi-unit development with several meters, checking each one for contract status could reveal significant savings.
EDF's Fixed for Business Online (FOL) tariff offers a fixed unit rate for the contract term at a lower price point than their standard fixed tariffs. The trade-off is that it's managed entirely online - no call centre support. It also requires a smart meter to be installed within 3 months. This was the tariff quoted for Red Clover Gardens as part of our analysis.
Savings depend on consumption, current rates, and market conditions. Our analysis of Red Clover Gardens identified a potential saving of £1,868 per year (37% reduction) on a single communal areas meter. Larger developments with multiple meters on deemed rates could see significantly higher total savings. Read our guide on how to switch business energy.
Joshua is the CEO and Co-Founder of Meet George. With experience in tech, AI, and energy markets, he's building tools to make business energy switching transparent and effortless. Previously, he's worked in startups and commercial strategy roles.
