Advice re new flat Econ 7

wilsooon

Hi there, hope someone can help confused newby!

I'm applying for new council/H.A. flats, lots seem to be all elec, mostly with night storage heaters. I could shift some of my elec usage to the cheaper night time slot, but I'm worried about using washing m/c at night - unless all my neighbours are already doing this (which is likely, I guess) I could be unpopular.

Also, just how many things can I switch to night time? not sure how much I could save. Would it be better to opt for standard rate, rather than two, and use ordinary plug in heaters. Is econ 7 really a good option?

Or just hope and pray I get a flat with gas c.h.!

dogshome

Hi wilsooon - ECO 7 heating can work reasonably economicaly, but that depends on using Wash m/c and Dishwash m/c overnight and carefully managing the Hot Water so it's heats only overnight.

However, it's often the case that the ECO7 wiring that feeds the Storage radiators and Hot water tank overnight is directly linked to these items only, and has no 13amp sockets on the circuit into which a Wash m/c or other items can be plugged - So if you do view an ECO7 flat- CHECK THIS

The bottom line is that Gas CH & Hot water is cheaper and much more comfortable than ECO7

wilsooon

Thanks, dogshome, I think I may well end up asking supplier to switch me to a single standard rate of elec, and just ignore the storage heaters.

But would the wiring possibly mean I can only use the water heater on econ7? Or would the single rate of elec mean it would all be merged into one bill or one rate of elec?

Sorry to be dim!!

Cardew

As you say the lease/rental agreement in some flats prevents the use of dishwasher/Washing Machine at night because of the noise.

The wiring of properties varies a great deal as the post above indicates. Some have all electricity at cheap rate during the 7 hours, others such that only the storage heater and immersion heater use cheap rate electricity. However most(all?) immersion heaters have an overide facility even if wired for Economy 7 so you can have hot water if you had used up all that was heated overnight.


I would not dismiss Economy 7 out of hand, it can work out cheaper - especially if you are in during the day. The biggest problem with storage heaters is they leak heat during the day and this can be wasted if you are out at work.

penrhyn

Its worth noting that the Economy 7 hours, although they may vary a bit are typically 1 am to 8 am, so I doubt if anyone would object to you switching on you washing machine at 7 am.
Be aware that some washing machines may not work very well with a timer.

Premier_2

wilsooon wrote: »

... I think I may well end up asking supplier to switch me to a single standard rate of elec, and just ignore the storage heaters.

Good idea ... NOT!

You'll be paying typically 2-3 times the price per kWh of heat on a standard tariff.

Usually for those on electric only, heating is a huge proportion of their overall electricity consumption.

Start saving now ... you'll need it to pay the winter lecky bill if you switch to a single rate!

Just go on E7 and stop procrastinating.

Look, typically E7 during the daytime is only about 5-10% more that the equivilent single rate (but even that is not always the case) and and 50%-70% cheaper at night. About 25% night usage is typically break even point and 7/24 is 29%

There are many people on E7 without storage heaters because it saves them money. I don't even have electric water heating and use about 23% night time usage on average.