Old white meter - not money saving now?

Mrs_Money

We have a white meter for cheaper off peak electricity which we had fitted on the advice of our elctricity company about 32 years ago!
At the time the chap that fitted it assured us that everyone always saved money with them, but now I'm not so sure.
Originally we paid a small quarterly charge for the meter I seem to recall, but there's no mention of that on our bills now- it just says Economy 7 Electricty Tarrif (it's with EDF).
We have looked into switching a couple of times, but then given up because it seemed we would be saving such ridiculously small amounts per year - and the white meter seems to complicate things.
I believe I've read somewhere that they charge to remove white meters, but in the long term, does anyone know if we'd be better of without it?
I know it really is time we switched!

Mrs_Money

Anyone got any ideas?

james2012_2

How do you heat your house?

Mrs_Money

Central heating is mains gas.

james2012_2

You don't need a white meter tariff then. How much electricity do you use?

Cardew

You are correct that the white meter will not save you any money these days.

Years ago the cheap rate electricity was used mainly for storage heating and immersion heaters. However now you pay a 'premium' on your daytime(17 hours) electricity.

Different companies have different policies about removing meters.

Mrs_Money

james2012 wrote: »

You don't need a white meter tariff then. How much electricity do you use?

We only really have electricity for computers, washing machine fridge/freezer and dishwasher, electric oven, along with all the usual computers, TV, x-boxes etc., so I know we don't really have high off peak usage.

I also didn't know we paid a higher premium for daytime use - I've contacted my provider and am waiting on some info from them.

macman

Eek! When did you have the gas CH installed? Ever since then (as Cardew says) you've been paying a premium for all your peak rate electricity-which with gas CH will be most of your usage.
Unless you are using a minimum of 33% of your total unit consumption on cheap rate E7 (check your bills) then it's better to be on a non-E7 tariff. It's a tariff designed primarily for night storage heating.
Furthermore, if you haven't changed supplier or tariff in 32 years, then you will be on the most expensive tariff that your supplier offers.
Check your annual consumption on each rate and then switch immediately (this may or may not involve a change of meter, some supplier will just total the 2 E7 readings instead).
But even if you are charged for the change, you'll make that back in just a few months.

Mrs_Money

Yes, we should have changed years ago (had the gas central heating put in around 25 years ago - GASP!) - I was never sure how significant a saving it would be though. Interestingly, my original post was picked up by the Social Media staff of my provider and I was PM'd and have had a polite and informative phone call and a useful exchange of emails resulting in the checking of our account and useage and quotes for better tariffs - including removal of the Economy 7 meter!
So we are going to change - better late than never I suppose!

mattcanary

I think that suppliers added a significant premium on daytime usage with these meters less than 25 years ago - so you may not have been paying over the odds for all of this period, you'll be pleased to know!

t0rt0ise

So EDF are reading posts here. They don't write much if at all which is a shame. We could do with their assistance sometimes.