Utility Aid: Helping Schools Take Control of Their Energy

Behind every energy bill is an organisation doing vital work. In education, those bills power classrooms, keep students warm in winter, and ensure safe, inspiring environments for learning. Yet energy is also one of the most complex and unpredictable costs that schools face.

At Utility Aid, we never lose sight of that bigger picture. For more than 20 years, we’ve supported charities and not-for-profit organisations, including schools, academies, trusts, and universities- by cutting costs, reclaiming overcharges, and making energy management simpler. Our customers also include housing associations, churches, and frontline services, but our approach is always the same: treat every case as unique, combine expertise with care, and deliver measurable results.

As our CEO, Giles Hankinson, explains:
“We exist to help 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.”

That sense of purpose has shaped nearly three decades of work. Competence builds trust, and trust backed by results creates lasting partnerships. That’s why more than 4,500 UK organisations already turn to Utility Aid, not only to save money, but also to gain peace of mind.

Services Designed for Schools

Dedicated account management
Forget juggling multiple supplier contacts or chasing call centres. Every school we work with is assigned a named account manager, your single point of contact for all things energy.

Bill validation
Energy billing errors are more common than you might expect, and over time, they add up significantly. Our validation team follows a clear four-step process to identify mistakes and recover overpayments. It requires nothing from your team; we take the burden off your plate entirely.

Net Zero and carbon reporting
With increasing expectations on schools to reduce emissions, our Net Zero team provides expert advice on consumption reduction, funding opportunities, and carbon reporting. Whether you’re a small primary school or a large multi-academy trust, we tailor services to your needs and budget.

SECR compliance made simple
If your trust or college meets SECR thresholds, reporting energy use and emissions is a legal requirement. We provide accurate Scope 1, 2 (and 3 if required) reporting, emissions intensity ratios, audit-ready documentation, and practical recommendations that turn compliance into clarity.

ESOS energy assessments
For larger institutions qualifying for ESOS, we make compliance smooth and strategic. From full-site audits to Environment Agency submissions, we uncover cost-saving opportunities and translate audits into meaningful efficiency gains.

The Power of Collective Buying

Individually, schools and academies have limited leverage with energy suppliers. Collectively, however, everything changes.

At Utility Aid, we’ve harnessed the power of collective buying for over two decades, bringing together hundreds of organisations to secure deals that simply aren’t available to standalone customers. By negotiating at scale, suppliers compete harder, service levels improve, and exclusive benefits are unlocked.

For 2026, our collective buying framework has secured:

• Guaranteed fixed-rate energy costs, shielding schools from market volatility
• 5-day supplier response guarantees (vs industry norms of 10–20 days)
• Enhanced service commitments that prioritise our customers
• Exclusive energy management tools unavailable through standard contracts
• Direct escalation to senior supplier contacts when issues arise
   

Every new contract signed also supports the Utility Aid Foundation, which donates part of our fee to charities across the UK.

Think of it like a fixed-rate mortgage for your energy costs. Whatever happens in the wider market, from geopolitical events to supply disruptions, you’ll have predictable bills and stable budgets, freeing you to focus on education rather than energy.

Relationships That Last

Over the years, we’ve saved thousands of schools and not-for-profits tens of thousands of pounds in overcharges, penalties, and wasted administration time. But our real value lies in the relationships we build. Whether we’re helping a university meet its Net Zero goals or supporting a small rural primary school with billing issues, every customer receives the same level of care and attention.

Testimonial – Queen’s School, Chester
"Utility Aid has been incredible – always proactive, clear, and thorough. Thanks to their persistence and expertise, we recovered over £2,500 in overpaid charges and now have confidence our billing is accurate. I couldn’t have asked for better support!"

When Queen’s School Chester encountered issues with its energy supplier, our team uncovered missed terminations and objections, secured a competitive rate match, and negotiated a goodwill gesture. The result? £191.17 saved on current invoices, over £2,500 recovered in previous overpayments, and complete confidence in future billing. After more than five years as a customer, their experience reflects the strength of our partnerships.

To learn more about how we can support your school, trust, or university, visit www.utility-aid.co.uk.