Economy 7/Economy 10

Katie-Kat-Kins

Ok sorry if this is a thick question.

We are an all electric household. Our electricity meter has 5 rates on it, according to npower they are as follows:

1 - day rate on your meter is billed between 7.30 am and 12.30 pm
2 - night rate is billed between 12.30 pm, and 7.30am
3 - heat boost is billed between 8.00 am and 10.00am
4 - day heat is billed between 2.pm and 7.00pm
5 - night heat is billed between 8pm and 10.00pm

As far as I can see the rates 3 -5 relate only to our night storage heaters, but is there anything I can do to stop them using the more expensive day electricity? Preferably something a little more sophisticated than simply turning them off at the wall when I get up and turning them back on at bedtime. Alternatively if someone can confirm what determines whether the storage heaters draw power during each period? They don't seem to draw power during 8-10am but do seem to during the afternoon. I'm happy for them to if we actually need the extra heat but I'm not convinced that we do, and obviously I want them to use the cheap night rate as much as possible.

Also energy comparison sites assume either E7 or single rate so I'm not sure if I am on the best tarriff (well I'm pretty sure I'm not but I want to find the best one!). Will any suppliers offer me cheaper power for the afternoon heat or conversley just shut this off, I am concerned by how much our heating costs over winter.

Any tips for keeping the costs down with this sort of set up??

Thanks

Cardew

On E7/E10 and other similar tariffs, the storage heaters are normally wired so they only come on during the cheap rate periods, which appear to be rates 2, 3, and 5.

However it seems strange that rate 2 finishes at 7:30am and 30 mins later rate 3 starts(at 8am)

What is the difference between rate1 and rate 4? Why would rate 4 finish at 7pm?

Also if it is E10(10 hours) it would appear that rates 2, 3 and 5 are 11 hours, or 2 and 5 are 9 hours.

Conclusion? NPower talking rubbish!!!

Katie-Kat-Kins

Exactly my confusion!

To add to it we don't seem to be using any electricity on rate 3 at all.

I want to switch as I'm sure I can get a better deal but need to be sure that I understand the tarriff and what we need!

Cardew

I would write(not phone or email) to Npower.

spiro

Rates 1 & 2 are the main house curcuit and cover the 24hr period. Rates 3 to 5 are the heating curcuit which only come on at specific times of the day. Rate 3 (heat boost) is sometimes activated by a 'boost' button on the meter and is therefore an optional period. You dont say the rate charges for each of the period so it is difficult to state when you should or should not have the heating on. If you look at the meter you may find there is an indicator against each of the rates to indicate which one(s) are active at any one time which should allow you to check what NPower have told you. The 1st two digits on the bottom line of your 'S' number (on bill) in combination with digits 4-5 of the top line may allow someone (other than NPower) in the industry to decode your metering configuration.