Switch from heatwise

mushypeasman

Hi, any advise will be much appreciated. In my 10 year old flat I am all electric, no gas supply on site. I had Credanet storage rads running on EON Heatwise I believe (not too easy to determine from bills but I am paying a heatwise standing charge and there are amounts for normal, afternoon, night/evening). The rads are getting old and components failing. There are two of us, out all day 5 or 6 days a week. I don't believe the heating we have is suited to our lifestyle and seems particularly wasteful when so much heat leaks when we don't need it. I followed a neighbours lead, who has a similar lifestyle, and have removed the Credanet storage rads with the intention of installing simly Dimplex panel rads. He says it is cheaper to run for him. EON tell me I need to change my "economy 10?" meter with another so I can take advantage of different pricing packages. They will change the meter for free. Questions - am I doing the right thing, and what tariff/plan should I go for. (I believe I inherited EON from the previous owner because very few suppliers offered the heatwise facility). I presume with a more standard meter I can switch more easily.
Many thanks in anticipation. Mushypeasman

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi mushypeasman

Heatwise meters are specifically designed for all electric properties with storage heaters and are only found in the East Midlands electricity region.

They give 10 hours of off peak electricity for water and central heating purposes only. As such, they're wired directly into the water/heating circuits at properties.

Economy 10 is similar but can be found in most parts of the country. The times the off peak periods kick in can also be different.

I always advise customers thinking of changing these meters, either Heatwise or Economy 10, to arrange for an independent approved electrician to check it over first as it can affect the efficiency of their water/heating systems.

However, as you're replacing the storage heaters with panel radiators, I suspect you've already done this.

If this is the case, fitting a more conventional meter will certainly give you a far greater range of tariffs to choose from, both with us and the other suppliers.

We usually charge for this work but if we've agreed to do it for free it may be something you want to nail down with us.

Hope this helps mushypeasman. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

mushypeasman

Many thanks for the reply Malc. If I have a heatwise meter on economy 10 tarif would that make sense? The storage rads are out and the panels bought so there's no going back. I didn't think I needed any independent electrical advice, if it was important I imagined Eon would have said something. Having said that I am following what a neighbour has already done who is more experienced in these things than I am. I believe though he has not switched his meter and has not considered changing whatever tariff he was on in his move away from storage rads. My meter is being swapped next Monday for free because I am told I am a long standing (satisfied) customer. My water boiler is on economy 10/heatwise so I imagine it will just operate on whatever new tariff I will be on with any rewiring. Again, any thoughts much appreciated Malc.
Cheers, mushy

mushypeasman

That should say...without any rewiring..........

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi mushy

Heatwise and Economy 10 are similar but not identical and both have their own pricing structure.

If you have a Heatwise meter it will be on its own specific tariff.

However, whilst Economy 10 is also a particular type of meter, I have known the term used to describe certain forms of hybrid metering set ups which aren't strictly Economy 10. This is where confusion can come in.

Your bills will describe the actual tariff you're on. I would also check out your meter. Most Heatwise meters have a plaque on them stating this. If in doubt, give us a call and we'll be happy to tell you.

Like you, I would have expected the agent arranging your meter switch to have warned you about the possible implications to your water/heating. I'm sorry they didn't but might be worth just confirming nothing will be affected.

Difficult to be specific without more info mushy but hope the above is useful. Give me a shout if I can help further as will be happy to do so.

Malc

mushypeasman

Malc, since you generously invited me to ask more questions I'll do so - I checked and yes my meter has a Heatwise sticker and Eon helpdesk confirm I am on that tariff. Assuming all is well with the panel heaters on another tariff once my tariff and meter is changed I'm now wondering, prompted by you, about hot water. The water boiler is wired direct into the power supply as you suggested, there are two switches "off peak" and "boost". When the meter is changed will the heatwise circuit become dead or will it still function as another live circuit? In other words will there still be power to the boiler? I also imagine I will need some sort of timer fitted otherwise it will heat permanently to maintain the water at the set temp (unless I manually switch it on and off with the "offpeak" button)? What do you reckon?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi mushy

What you say is consistent with how Heatwise meters work. They are wired directly into the water/heating circuits and I've known taking them out to cause problems. It often needs an electrician to do some form of remedial work to make sure the water/heating continues to work efficiently.

This is why I always recommend customers bring in a skilled electrician to check over their set up when considering changing this type of meter.

I'm not particularly technical mushy and am now at the end of my limited knowledge. You really need to ask someone more skilled/experienced in these matters and I would recommend consulting an approved electrician?

Malc

mushypeasman

Thanks Malc, have booked an electrician to take a look before doing anything.

dunloadin

mushypeasman wrote: »

Malc, since you generously invited me to ask more questions I'll do so - I checked and yes my meter has a Heatwise sticker and Eon helpdesk confirm I am on that tariff. Assuming all is well with the panel heaters on another tariff once my tariff and meter is changed I'm now wondering, prompted by you, about hot water. The water boiler is wired direct into the power supply as you suggested, there are two switches "off peak" and "boost". When the meter is changed will the heatwise circuit become dead or will it still function as another live circuit? In other words will there still be power to the boiler? I also imagine I will need some sort of timer fitted otherwise it will heat permanently to maintain the water at the set temp (unless I manually switch it on and off with the "offpeak" button)? What do you reckon?

Shouldnt be a problem, the E10 meter will have two live outs (24 hour 'general' supply and switched 'off peak' supply). The boost will be connected to the 24 hour 'general' supply, and the 'off peak' will be connected to the off peak supply.

You'll need an electrician to do all the work on the heaters and consumer units/fuse boxes as it will be certifiable, so no doubt they will keep you right.

You wont be able to wire the panel heaters into the old storage heater circuits as they'll be on the wrong consumer unit/ fusebox...unless you only want them to come on when the cheap rate kicks in.

If EoN are offering to swap you to Eco10 for free you have got a result...most companys won't even support it, never mind fit it.