Utility Aid
Utility Aid exists to help charities and not-for-profit organisations source energy. We use our knowledge and experience. We anticipate and solve problems. Above all, everyone at Utility Aid is united by their desire to do more good for our stakeholders and that sets us apart in terms of how we are as a business.
For over 20 years, we have helped charities and not-for-profit organisations bring down their energy costs. This includes reclaiming overcharges, managing administration and advising on all energy-related matters. Our customers include housing associations and community groups, schools, churches and frontline support services.
We treat every case as unique while drawing on many years of experience working across multiple authorities and organisations of all shapes and sizes.
How can we help you?
Energy switching
Utility Aid doesn’t just find charities a better energy deal, they help you make the most of it. Their team supports, advises and negotiates on your behalf to secure the best possible service agreements on your water, gas and electricity, safeguarding your interests when it matters most. As the leading Third Party Intermediary in the charity sector, recently named TPI of the year for the second time in three years, they’ve built a reputation for shorter response times (5 days versus the industry standard of 10 to 20) and clear, transparent billing with no hidden fees.
Online switching
Compare gas and electricity prices whenever suits you, day or night. Utility Aid’s online switching platform gives you instant access to live quotes from credit vetted suppliers, so you can compare options side by side and switch when you’re ready, without waiting for office hours. It’s designed for busy charity teams juggling competing priorities, with expert support available through live chat if you need it, though you’re never obligated to use it. Note this service covers procurement only and is available in England, Scotland and Wales, for organisations with a single meter site whose current contract ends within six months.
Collective purchasing
On their own, charities have little sway when it comes to negotiating with energy suppliers. Bring hundreds of organisations together, though, and the balance shifts. Suppliers compete harder, offer stronger terms, and provide a level of service they simply wouldn’t extend to a single customer.
That’s the principle behind collective buying, and it’s how charities move from being price takers to price makers. Utility Aid has been building this collective strength for over 20 years, securing deals no individual organisation could achieve alone and making sure members get the full benefit of them. Through their National Charity Tender, this means fixed rate energy costs for protection against market volatility, five day response guarantees, enhanced service standards and direct escalation contacts when things go wrong. Every meter signed up also triggers a donation to the Utility Aid Foundation, turning energy savings into wider community benefit.
Account management
No more juggling contacts or chasing suppliers yourself. Every charity working with Utility Aid gets a dedicated account manager as a single point of contact for all energy matters, from meter installations and tenancy changes to billing queries and VAT advice. They’re backed by specialist support and billing teams who deal directly with suppliers and chase issues through to resolution, so smart meters, fault reporting and new premises are all taken care of. Your account manager knows the charity sector inside out, delivering straightforward, reliable support designed specifically for organisations like yours.
Bill checking
Energy billing errors happen more often than you’d think, and they add up. Utility Aid’s validation team takes this off your plate entirely with a straightforward four step process. Your supplier sends invoices to them automatically, every one is checked for discrepancies using specialist software, your account manager handles all supplier follow ups on your behalf, and any money recovered gets paid straight back to you. Over the last 15 years, this has recovered more than £10 million in overpayments for their clients, all without any extra work for your team.
Net zero and carbon reporting
Utility Aid’s Net Zero team offers expert advice on reducing energy consumption, getting ahead of legislation, unlocking funding opportunities and cutting costs, with services scaled to organisations of all sizes and budgets. Their green pack makes environmental compliance straightforward while unlocking savings, tax breaks and grants, and they handle Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting requirements to a methodology that satisfies external auditors. Discovery documents give charities a clear roadmap, covering current energy consumption and carbon output, reduction opportunities and costs, and the impact of current or upcoming legislation, with options tailored to single sites, multi site operations or smaller budgets.
As a member of ACO you can benefit from a free consultancy session with Utility Aid, whether you need support with understanding your bills, checking whether you are paying the correct VAT or if you need advice on starting your journey to Net Zero.