Poergen - Domestic Economy 10 - Can't switch?

gerryfitz

My daughter is on Powergen Domestic Economy 10 in her flat in NW2. (Electric only)

She inherited that when she moved in 6 months ago.

They have just tried to put her monthly payments up from £25 to £62 because they have sent a quarterly bill with a grossly overestimated useage (their estimate, despite having the correct meter readings submitted by email).

That is being sorted, however, she would like to switch suppliers.

I've tried the Energyhelpilne and Uswitch and neither give an option for this system, only for Economy 7, which apparently is not the same thing.

After a query, Energyhelpline gave this reply -

<i>Our website doesn't not compare Economy 10 tariffs as suppliers will not
accept new customer applications for this type of tariff. I am afraid
you cannot use our service if you have an economy 10 tariff.

You could ring some of the suppliers directly to see whether they would
be cheaper for you.</i>

Sorry we couldn't be of more help


Is it possible to use one of the switching websites, or is she stuck with Powergen?

irnbru_2

gerryfitz wrote:

Is it possible to use one of the switching websites, or is she stuck with Powergen?

To compare with E7 she needs to discount the additional 3 hours she receives (assuming she uses it). So she could roughly attribute 70% of her E10 usage and use that as her E7 value.

As she's been in the flat 6 months just double the meter readings. Now she has her standard, E7 and total yearly ratings to compare.

There's most definately a large margin for error in doing it that way but by adding 10, 15% either wat she can work out whether a switch to an E7 tariff would benefit.

gerryfitz

Ah, I thought that she was stuck with having this E10 tariff?

She has three meters, is that the same as Economy 7 (I've never had that system so know nowt about it).

The Energyline site seemed to indicate she couldn't use them to swap, should I be making enquiries by phone?

I'm a bit confused (nowt unusual).

wowsavings

i would be a bit wary about irnbru's method. I am no expert, but would assume that the suppliers will apply different tariff rates for an E10 meter.

Also, you could use the comparison sites to see who may be cheaper (if E7 tariff unit rates are the same as E10 tariff unit rates), but by the sounds of it, you wouldn't be able to switch.

There are only 6 main suppliers out there so may be worth contacting them all directly.

irnbru_2

gerryfitz wrote:

She has three meters, is that the same as Economy 7 (I've never had that system so know nowt about it).

E7 has two readings: standard during the day and economy at night.

She'll have standard, day- and night-time economy.

If she actually wants to retain E10 but compare with another supplier then I guess it's the phone if no online comparison service can help.

I guess you could poll here and see who has E10 and their provider?

irnbru_2

wowsavings wrote:

i would be a bit wary about irnbru's method. I am no expert, but would assume that the suppliers will apply different tariff rates for an E10 meter.

They are but it's the overall consumption (allowing for errors) that can be used.

For instance, with E7 I give the total KWh and the % on economy to see what savings, if any, are made.

Cardew

E10 has advantages(over E7) if you are home during the day and need to 'top up' heating and/or Hot water. However I believe you pay a premium over E7 rates for E10.

As suggested above you can only work out if E7 is a better bet by taking your 3 hour E10 consumption and assuming that this will be at daytime rates.

Then go to a comparison site and enter your daytime + 3 hour E10 kWh in the daytime kWh and your E7 kWh in the cheap rate.**

Some(Most?) companies will allow your daytime and E10 consumption to be added together and charged at the daytime rate.

** You will probably find your E7 consumption higher if you are mot using a E10 top up.

gerryfitz

As I understand the situation from these posts.

Economy 7 has two meter readinsg and Domestic E10 has 3.

So is it actually possible (notwithstanding whether it is cheaper), to change from E10 to E7, what happens to the ''spare' meter?

Has anyone done this?

stewie_griffin

I'm guessing that originally her meter would have been installed by the host supplier which I think would have been London Energy (now EDF) and if this is the case surely they could support it. Has she tried ringing different suppliers to see which ones do support the meter.

Could your daughter not call Powergen and ask them to change her economy 10 meter for an economy 7 one. Then as soon as this has been done change suppliers.

EDIT: I think economy 10 meters have two supply numbers and if this is the case she would also need to arrange for one of them to be disconnected.

goodybags

Re your Economy 10 or "HeatWise" as Powergen call it,
You will have 3 meters or 3 readings ALWAYS Day,Night PLUS afternoon boost,
The afternoon boost will only power your immersion and Storage heaters or underfloor heaters etc rather than your whole house, This can be beneficial for your storage heaters other heating system and immersion heaterns in the winter,
BUT the downside of this tariff is you pay a higher standing charge or more per KWH for the first 225 KWH (per qtr) if you are on one of the newer no standing charge tariffs.

If you wish to change supplier i have found in my experience having worked in the industry, the other suppliers when outside their own supply areas dont offer this tariff, so you will have to first contact your current supplier and switch to STANDARD or ECONOMY 7

For some customers (mainly those with no gas heating) these 10 hr off peak tariffs can be beneficial although as ive mentioned to my knowledge you can not change supplier,

If however you do find a supplier that will actualy switch you whilst on the 10 hr off peak tariff remember you have 2 and not 1 MPAN

Strange thing is the origional suppliers all seem to offer these tariffs in their supply areas but not to customers in other areas,

Going back to your origional question if you want to come off HeatWise call Powergen on 0800 363363, ask to go on E7 or standard as required, then you are free to change supplier,if you wish,
As far as i remember there should be no charge from Powergen for a meter change.
Hope this helps.

Cardew

stewie_griffin wrote:

EDIT: I think economy 10 meters have two supply numbers and if this is the case she would also need to arrange for one of them to be disconnected.

I don't they think will disconnect anything as the E10 meter must still record the consumption during its 3 hour period. What they can do is add the E10 reading to the Daytime reading and pay for both at Daytime rates.

I had a similar situation in that I was on Economy 7 and changed to 'normal tariff. I still have the same E7 meter and it records the consumption of day and night periods. Both are added together and I pay as if it was one meter. e.g. The E7 meter will read 1,000kWh and the Normal meter read 5,000kWh and I am billed for 6,000kWh all at the one rate.