Economy 7 usage times

J.M.B.

Be sure to check with your electricity supplier the times that 'Economy 7' apply. Having recently changed to Atlantic I just happened to ask the question and discovered that theirs was different to my previous supplier. Not only that but the time 'Economy 7' is supplied alters when the clocks go back/forward, i.e 23.30 till 06.30 in winter, 00.30 to 07.30 B.S.T.

Unfortunately they do not volunteer this information, you have to ask!!!

J.M.B.

spiro

Alantic's time will not be different to your previous supplier unless you have a remotely configurable meter. Multi-rate meters either have a timeswitch (this can normally only be changed by man in van) or teleswitched (which is controlled by radio signals). PPM meters are the exception as this can be done via the key. The times for the latter are not controlled by your supplier but by the network.
A lot of multi-rate operate on GMT and take no account of the clock change so you need to.

penrhyn

When I had storage heaters, I could tell when they switched on as they hummed a little.
If you have not got storage heaters you should not be on economy 7.

Premier_2

penrhyn wrote: »

...If you have not got storage heaters you should not be on economy 7.

I've not got storage heaters, but am on E7. To come off E7 would end up costing me more money. Why should I change? :huh:

Athome1

I use my dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer on the E7 and I'm sure it saves me money.:) I don't pay more for the day-time electricity either.

penrhyn

If you are using more than 20% ish of your electricity during the E7 period they you may well be better off.
Otherwise E7 may end up costing you more as the daytime units cost more than they do on standard tariffs.
Everyone is different but its worth a check.

landgirl100

I've just had a letter from E.ON which says that I should switch from Economy 7. The letter states that you have to use more than 40% of your electricity at night to benefit from the tariff. I do make an effort to run my dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer only during the Economy 7 hours, and I've got a freezer, a frdge and a fridge-freezer running constantly. All my appliances are old and not very energy-efficient. I use oil for heating and hot water.
How can I tell if it's worth staying on Economy 7? I've got an energy meter, but the software to connect to the computer won't work properly so the information get is limited. I don't want to take E.ON's word for it!

Premier_2

landgirl100 wrote: »

...How can I tell if it's worth staying on Economy 7? ...

You need to calculate the annual costs of the two different tariffs using your annual consumption data.

Perhaps better still, just use a comparison site. You'll need to do it twice usually, then compare the annual costs it gives. You may find an even cheaper supplier/tariff.

But be aware that some suppliers will not accept you on a single rate tariff if you have a dual rate meter ... and may charge you to change the meter.

Premier_2

penrhyn wrote: »

...Otherwise E7 may end up costing you more as the daytime units cost more than they do on standard tariffs...

Generally that is the case, but there are always exceptions to the rules in this complicated energy market pricing.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=1207887

As you say, people really need to check their own situation by doing the appropriate calculation/comparison.