Campaign suggestion for Martin

Katie-Kat-Kins

Thanks for all the posts, I think this really adds fuel to the arguement that there needs to be more transparancy with E7 and E10.

For the people who asked questions, my meter has a single digital display with 5 separate rates. There is a visible clock on the display so I can check that the meter is in sync with the correct time. My meter does not display the times that each register is active.

Interesting what has been said about whether meter timings change between BST and GMT as I have been given conflicting information by my supplier on this too!

Haarlem

One point is that with E7 And E10 there is a conflict of interest between Suppliers and Distributors.

Distributors specify the load pattern for a particular area based on the capacity of their equipment, therefore specify the times of the changes in demand by an areas heating load. They can be quite specific to an area, even street where mechanical time swiches are installed, and there is a lot of heating load.

Suppliers are only interested in maximising profits by the number of units sold.

mattcanary

Kat, you have got the worst type of timeswitch/meter there is. Is the time correct on the display - I think it is very unlikely that it is. And you are right - this type of equipment does not tell you the switching time.

Think you should contact your supplier to find out the switching times. I believe they should know if they fully understand their database. They have info on what kind of tariff is at an address - with the old Eastern Electric board, for example, tarriff 1110 signified a single price tariff. 1610 and then 1710 or 1711 or 1713 signified an E7 tariff. The last number in each option signified the switching over time. Of course, this goes back to 1999 so things may well have changed since then. But I am sure the supplier or at least the company that owns the metering equipment will know the answer - if the member of staff you get on the phone, is knowledgeable enough!

Once you gert an answer, I would personally see if you can get the metering equipment changed for a more modern type. The type you have is notoriously unreliable. and annoying to boot (you have to wait ages for the digital display to change, as I'm sure you are aware!)

Katie-Kat-Kins

My house is only 10 years old so it is a reasonably modern meter. The time on the display is correct.

In what sense are these the worst type of meter?

As you will see from my previous posts, I have contacted my supplier about the timings and I have had three different answers! If the supplier can't provide this information reliably how am I supposed to run my house efficiently?

Hence the need for transparancy from suppliers, the information NEEDS to be given clearly to each household.

Haarlem

KatP wrote: »

My house is only 10 years old so it is a reasonably modern meter. The time on the display is correct.

In what sense are these the worst type of meter?

As you will see from my previous posts, I have contacted my supplier about the timings and I have had three different answers! If the supplier can't provide this information reliably how am I supposed to run my house efficiently?

Hence the need for transparancy from suppliers, the information NEEDS to be given clearly to each household.

Its the Distribution Company to whose network you are connected who will have the most accurate information.

Your Supplier will have some "blanket" information, but not nearly as accurate.

Katie-Kat-Kins

Well I'll contact them too and get given yet more conflicting information.

BUT the point of my post is that you shouldn't have to chase around for this information, it should be provided with your bill so you know what you are paying for and why and can moniter your use. If you are not reasonably intelligent and determined you will not get this information because it isn't easy to find.

mattcanary

Of course Kat. You are totally correct. All metering equipment should be fitted with a sticker if it doesn't tell you what time it switches over to the cheaper rate. Only common sense.
I apologise for my mistake in identifying your meter type. I thought that you had the meter with a silver LCD display attached underneath the meter which gives the actual readings and the time on it. In the Eastern area, that is the only type of domestic electric meter which would display five different readings (albeit only readings 1 and 2 are ever used!). Must work differently in the East Midlands!