HeatWise tariff, but no cable!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

MatB wrote: »

Okay, so it sounds like (3 years ago) E.ON supplied a HeatWise meter and the builder then decided to only take a single feed out of it. Makes a little more sense. Would E.ON not go back to the property at some point to check the installation, ensure the builder hasn't 'accidentally' wired the Heatwise cables to supply non-heating electric? It's not just a mistake on one flat I'm talking about, it is the same for six or seven flats. Only one has a second rate feed.

Hi MatB

E.ON's responsibility ends at the meter. We will fit the type of meter requested by the builder. All work after this point is down to the builder and we wouldn't return to the property to check their work.

Do you have a phone number for them, as I am struggling to get anyone at E.ON to understand what the problem is.

MSE don't like us posting contact phone numbers on the Forum. However, if you drop an email to the address in my Profile, I'll be happy to let you have a number.

She promised to restore the tariff back to something sensible once this chap had been round to 'de-energise' the Heatwise. *Whatever 'de-energise' means, I've still not got an answer.)

Just a thought on this. Part of the process of de-energising a Heatwise meter involves cancelling one of the Meter Point Administration Numbers (MPANs).

MPANs are the unique registration number given to each domestic and small business property using electricity.

Heatwise meters have two MPANs. One for the standard meter and a second for the off peak Heatwise section. Going to a standard set up means we need to make the off peak MPAN redundant.

Part of this process involves sending a series of electronic messages to various organisations. This includes bodies like the national database, meter readers and the distributors.

I suspect this is what the agent you spoke with may have been referring to.

Hope this makes things a little clearer MatB.

Malc

MatB

I promised photos this weekend, so here we are:

There is clearly only one flat with the two sets of breakers necessary for Heatwise - flat '5'. These are curiously labelled 'on peak' and 'off peak' which doesn't really seem to read quite right, but I think I get the jist. The rest have a single breaker. From memory I thought these were full consumer units, but they must be inside the flat.





My friend's flat is the one with the red warning facing out on the bottom row. From memory, I think it feeds through to the top right breaker. Close up here:



Flat '5' with the two circuit breakers has an extra black junction box - presumably to provide a neutral for each circuit.



While I was there I took a nosey at the readings for each flat's meter. All the meters provide five readings. Of the seven flats, five read zero units for readings 3, 4 and 5. One meter reads very low with 2, 1 and 0 units respectively. The other (flat '5') has zero units for reading 3 and eminently sensible readings for 4 and 5 (presumably reading 3 is boost?).

I still can't believe the flats were constructed this way, though its heading more towards the builders stuff-up than E.ON's. But E.ON don't half seem to be making my life difficult in attempting to fix it. How would I know if a meter had multiple MPANs, I can only see a single reference number on each?

Garz

As a meter operative myself, I would be concerned about the bare neutral cable in the picture used going into the cutout (as mentioned earlier, this needs reporting).

Anyway, on topic:

Flat '5' with the two circuit breakers has an extra black junction box - presumably to provide a neutral for each circuit.

This is the connector block, allowing you to tap into neutral and live (double pole).

The main incomer comes into what looks like a 200 amp lucy cutout which is then sub-fused with the red coloured henley style fuses with grey chambers. This was probably installed paid for by the landlord/building management.

MatB

Garz wrote: »

As a meter operative myself, I would be concerned about the bare neutral cable in the picture used going into the cutout. Where did you dig this picture from (post)?

The picture marked 5/10/2009 which I presume is the one to which you refer (post #5), was form this MSE forum post. Does look a bit dodgy doesn't it!

Garz

dunloadin wrote: »

Its a radio telemeter, so it will have been set up with the extra rates and switching times of Heatwise to allow them to give a bonus boost to the storage heaters if/as required. However, if it is wired in as per your diagram and no storage heaters are in the flat thats about as much use as a concrete parachute. Getting a different tariff sorted out will mean a meter change though, you cant change the tariff set on the meter in situ.

...

I'm afraid it sounds like the landlord/previous owner went for the cheapest heating to install as opposed to the cheapest to run.

I think you are right.

The latter part is however not always true:

Getting a different tariff sorted out will mean a meter change though, you cant change the tariff set on the meter in situ.

They can in come instances just add all the rates to treat it as the same consumption (as one with a total or single rate tariff).

Time for an investigation and possibly some rebate. :T

molerat

Why do the meters have different flat numbers to the junction boxes they connect to ? Have you checked which meter is actually supplying the flat and that the meter serial matches the bill ?

MatB

molerat wrote: »

Why do the meters have different flat numbers to the junction boxes they connect to ?

I guess the man putting the electric in didn't talk to the man putting the flat numbers up. Probably plot numbers versus flat numbers.

molerat wrote: »

Have you checked which meter is actually supplying the flat ?

Good point, but yes I've had a wireless energy monitor on it and seen consumption increase in line with electrical items in the flat.

molerat

Do the meter readers know which feeds which flat, they are supposed to check serial numbers but do they always ? Do the bill readings match up with the meter ?

MatB

Think so, but another good point I better check.