How a café uses energy
A café or bar uses less in the kitchen than a restaurant, but has other big items:
- Refrigeration. Beer coolers, bottle fridges, ice machines and a cold room for kegs run 24 hours a day.
- Lighting and sound. Mood lighting, screens and sound systems are on for the whole opening time.
- Heating. A café with a door that opens all the time loses a lot of heat. Terrace heating comes on top of that.
- Dishwasher and glass washer. They run all evening.
Peak and off-peak: mind your opening hours
Many business contracts have a normal (peak) rate and an off-peak rate. The off-peak rate usually applies at night and at weekends. A café that stays open late or is busy at weekends uses part of its electricity in off-peak hours. When comparing, we look at both rates, not just the one in the advert.
What to look for when comparing
- Total annual cost. A low rate with high fixed supply charges is not always cheaper.
- The term. One, two or three years? That depends on your plans and how much certainty you want.
- Solar panels. Got solar panels on the roof? Then the feed-in tariff and any feed-in charges make a difference, especially now that net metering (salderen) ends on 1 January 2027.
Hotel bar or café with a kitchen?
If you also have a kitchen, function rooms or guest rooms, your usage looks more like that of a restaurant or hotel. We look at your whole business, not a category.
Frequently asked questions
Is a business contract for a café different from a home contract?
Yes. Business rates are shown excluding VAT, the terms are different and as a business you have less legal protection than a consumer. That is why it pays to have the terms compared carefully.
My café is quieter in winter. Does that matter?
Your usage then varies through the year. With a fixed contract you pay a fixed rate per kWh and m³, but your monthly instalment is based on your expected annual usage. If that is no longer right, you can have the instalment adjusted.
How long does switching take?
Usually a few weeks. The new contract starts on an agreed date, often the end date of your current contract. You will not be without power in the meantime.