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Electricity Meters - Single / Multi Rate and cost for changing

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Premier_2
Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 26 May 2010 at 5:16PM in Energy
A common question that often pops up on this site is the charge, if any, made by a supplier to switch from a single rate to a multi rate (E7, E10 etc) meter and vice versa.

Just found this useful summary of the big 6 from Consumer Focus :
Each supplier has a different policy on whether they charge for switching between different types of meter, and in some suppliers cases it depends on the situation, or the consumer circumstances. After consulting the suppliers regarding their policies we recieved the following responses to the two questions asked:

Question 1
Does your company charge a fee to exchange a single rate meter to an Economy 7 / 10 / 18, meter? What are the circumstances in which a fee would be waived?

British Gas: There is a charge to change from single rate to an Economy 7 / 10 / 18 meter.

E.ON: E.ON Energy does not charge a fee to change a credit E7, E10 or E18 meter to a single rate meter or vice versa. Discussions will be held with the customer to understand their consumption patterns and whether such a request will benefit them.

EDF Energy: EDF Energy does not levy a charge to a customer for a meter exchange from a single rate meter to an Economy 7 meter, although we reserve the right to charge a customer in certain circumstances, for instance, should they request an exchange multiple times within a year.

Npower: There are no charges to exchange from a credit meter to another credit meter regardless of whether it is a standard or Economy 7 meter. In certain circumstances where the exchange involves a Pre-Payment meter a fee will be applied.

ScottishPower: Yes, the fee to carry out this type of meter exchange is £52.88. We may waive the fee for the following reasons:
• Special Need - The customer is registered on the PSR or indicates that they have a special need.
• Council Initiated Exchange - Council/Housing Association has initiated a change of heating system leading to the meter change.
• Hardship - The customer has indicated that they are experiencing financial hardship.
• Appointment Failure - We, or our agent, did not adhere to the original appointment.
• Complaint - Charge may be waived dependent on individual complaint circumstances.
• Already Paid - The customer has paid by cheque and we have received and recorded the payment.

Scottish and Southern Energy: No fee is charged for a meter exchange.


Question 2
Does your company charge a fee to exchange an Economy 7 / 10 / 18 meter to a single rate meter? What are the circumstances in which a fee would be waived?

British Gas: We will charge for an E7 to Standard Credit exchange where the customer is insisting on the exchange for aesthetic reasons or the existing meter is the current MOP's meter. In all other circumstances the exchange would be free of charge.

E.ON: This would be free of charge.

EDF Energy: EDF Energy does not levy a charge to a customer for a meter exchange from an Economy 7 to a single rate meter, although we reserve the right to charge a customer in certain circumstances, for instance, should they request an exchange multiple times within a year.

Npower: There are no charges to exchange from a credit meter to another credit meter regardless of whether it is a standard or Economy 7 meter. In certain circumstances where the exchange involves a Pre-Payment meter a fee will be applied.

ScottishPower: There is a £52.88 fee to carry out this type of meter exchange. We would waive the fee for the same reasons as set out in the previous answer.

Scottish and Southern: No fee is applied for a meter exchange.

It should be noted that, based on posts from other MSE'ers, BG are quite happy to bill a customer on a single rate tariff even if they have a multi-rate meter fitted.



Edit: The E.On representative has also indicated that they too are happy to bill a customer on a single rate tariff even if they have a multi-rate meter fitted.
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