Multi rate electricity v one rate tariff

I am also of that opinion. I spoke to EON and they had no clue what I was talking about. Their advice was that perhaps my consumer unit was malfunctioning and that I should contact the manufacturer of the unit or an electrician!!!

Joules17 wrote: »

If you have a dual rate and swap to a single tariff does that mean that the power will run to all units at all times? Currently the power supplied by EON to my "controlled unit" goes off during E10 peak hours - we want to remove the storage heaters for electric one and only heat as necessary as it is not a cold house. If I swap to a single rate - will the power to that controlled unit still go off during the peak times or will it run alongside the normal unit allowing me to have sockets in use and heating at the same time!!

Joules17 wrote: »

I am also of that opinion. I spoke to EON and they had no clue what I was talking about. Their advice was that perhaps my consumer unit was malfunctioning and that I should contact the manufacturer of the unit or an electrician!!!

Hello Joules17 and welcome to the Forums.

My post above acknowledging nicobrum was about Economy 7 meters only. It's different for Economy 10 meters.

Economy 10 meters are mainly designed for all electric properties with storage heaters and electric water immersion heaters. To work, the meters are wired directly into the heating/water heating circuits. This lets them automatically switch the storage heaters on and off during the off-peak times.

Do you have a two or three rate Economy 10 meter? If it's a two rate, all electricity used during the 10 off-peak hours will be charged at this rate. If it's an older, three rate, meter then only the 5 hours at night covers all electricity used. During the other 5 hours (in the afternoon and evening), only electricity used for heating/hot water and coming through the dedicated circuits will be off-peak.

We've a specialist team currently looking at multi-rate meters like Economy 10. This is our Simpler Metering team and they're the best people to talk to. As your looking to take out your storage heaters, it might be best to change the meter too. If you were to go for a single rate or Economy 7, this would also give you more tariff options both with us and with the other suppliers.

As matelodave says, a lot depends on the actual set up at your property and this is where our Simpler Metering advisors will be able to help more. They'll be able to let you know if there are any charges too. Some meter exchanges aren't charged at all. Again, it depends on the set up at your flat.

Hope this helps point you in the right direction Joules17.

Malc

mal01502 wrote: »

I've recently moved into a flat which had E 18 meter with wet type radiators. The meter stopped working so EON have just replaced it with an E 10 one. I only got the choice of E7 or E10. Was not told about the single rate one! I've tried to find out the difference in costs as I now do not have enough cental heating time. I am a pensioner at home all day and evening. EON have phased out the E18 apparently. After hours on the phone to EON they say I can have a single rate meter but can't tell me the overall cost. Also why does the meter turn off my central heating after the economy times when I am willing to pay for extra on a normal rate? Would appreciate some advice please.

Hello mal01502 and welcome to the Forums.

We're currently looking to phase out several different types of Restricted Hour Tariff (RHT) meters like Economy 18. This project is being looked after by our specialist Simpler Metering team. I'm sorry you've already spent a fair amount of time on the phone but do you know if you spoke to this team? If you haven't, I would suggest talking to them. They'll be able to go through the options we've available and let you know the unit prices per kWh and daily standing charges for your area. Please call the general number on your bills or our website and ask to be put through to them.

As you previously had 18 hours of off peak electricity for your heating and hot water, I suspect we originally offered Economy 10 as this is the nearest current equivalent. These meters have 10 off peak hours rather than 7 with Economy 7 and none with a single rate option.

Like Economy 18, Economy 10 meters are wired directly into the dedicated heating circuits at properties. This lets them turn the connected heating on/off at the set times. They, too, split the off peak hours into 3 periods at night, during the afternoon and in the evening. With our recent two rate Economy 10 meters, all electricity used during the 10 off peak hours is charged at the lower rates. Whereas, with most Economy 18 meters, only the 5 hours at night cover all the electricity used.

RHT meters like Economy 10 and 18 are designed to give customers off peak electricity at set times during each 24 hour period and are wired into the dedicated circuits to allow this. As molerat says, a qualified electrician might be needed if you are thinking of changing the wiring at your flat. Again, our Simpler Metering advisors will be able to talk to you about this.

Hope this helps point you in the right direction mal01502.

Malc

Thank you for that information Sian. Unfortunately we are stuck with EON as they have control of all the 22 flats here. I have spent several hours phoning EON being put on hold and transferred to different departments without getting an answer!! When I feel up to it I will try what Malc suggested but don't hold out much hope Mal x