Commercial Electricity for Salons and Auto Shops — SaveOnEnergy

Business Energy Rates for Merchants: Nail Salons, Hair Salons, and Auto Shops

Written by Sean Jackson/
Edited by Jamie Cesanek/
Last updated January 7, 2026

Discover affordable commercial energy rates for your nail salon, hair salon, or auto shop.

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Salons and auto shops have specific energy needs, requiring customized commercial electricity solutions.
The SaveOnEnergy marketplace can help you save time finding affordable business energy plans from top providers in your area.
Businesses can save money on energy bills by shopping for customized plans, conducting energy audits, and educating employees on energy-saving measures.

Business energy rates and plans for merchants

Business owners have unique needs regarding their building’s energy usage. Whether you run a salon or an auto shop, your main expenses will likely be heating/cooling your space, ventilation, and lighting.

Hair and nail salons also require ample equipment, such as beauty appliances, specialty lighting, and more. Meanwhile, auto shops require hydraulic equipment and compressed air systems, which can significantly impact energy usage and costs.

Regardless of the type of business you own, you’ll need to find the right small business electricity plan to make the most of your budget. SaveOnEnergy’s experts can help you find a reputable business electricity provider and plan to cover your energy needs.

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Importance of energy efficiency for small businesses

Before you shop for commercial energy plans, analyze your company’s energy usage habits. This can help our experts pinpoint the right business electricity for your salon, auto shop, or other business type. Read the last 12 months of your electricity bills to learn your company’s average energy usage and costs.

Before signing up for a plan, examine ways to improve your business’s energy efficiency. Some electric utilities offer energy audits, where an auditor inspects your building to identify ways to save energy and reduce waste. This could involve sealing window leaks, upgrading lighting, or switching to energy-efficient appliances.

How to find the best business electricity provider

If it’s time to shop for electricity rates for your small business, our experts are here to help. We can connect you with top energy providers in your area, such as Ambit Energy and TXU Energy, to help you find the best business electricity for your hair salon, nail salon, or auto shop.

Plan types

Commercial electricity providers offer a variety of plan types to meet the needs of your business. Two of the most common plans include:

Fixed-rate: Lock in your energy rate for a specified term length. This setup allows you to better anticipate your energy bills since you don’t have to worry about rate hikes. Once you sign a contract, you’ll have to pay an early termination fee (ETF) if you want to cancel service before the term ends.
Variable-rate: This option works best if you need an energy deal for a short period of time. Variable-rate plans can be risky because your rate depends on the wholesale cost of energy. On the plus side, you’ll have the flexibility to cancel whenever you want.

Energy conservation strategies for merchants

Energy conservation is an important way for business owners to reduce their monthly expenses. To save energy, consider adopting some of the following measures in your business practices.

Energy-saving tips

Seal drafty doors/windows.
Use LED lighting when possible.
Maintain your equipment to ensure it runs in peak condition.
Reduce water consumption wherever possible.
Use cold water when washing towels or other clothing.
Unplug appliances when they are not in use.

Upgrade equipment

Specialized businesses like salons and body shops require a lot of tools to get the job done right. If you have dated equipment, it might require more energy than it would to upgrade. Many energy utilities offer incentives for large projects like updating appliances or lighting. This can save you money on upfront expenses while allowing you to enjoy energy savings well into the future.

Educate staff and customers

Businesses can encourage customers to be mindful of energy usage by putting up signs to turn out lights when they leave the bathroom. For employees, make it a habit to brush up regularly on energy-saving strategies like unplugging appliances when not in use and setting the thermostat higher (in the summer) when closing up shop. Implementing continued education helps your staff adopt energy-conserving measures to lower your energy bills in the long run.