E-on Heatwise energy plan

diddlydee1974

Hello I am wondering if there is any body out there that can help me...

I private rent a house for the last 3 years that is around 12 year old. I have a gas bolier that is used to heat my centeral heating but my water is heated by the use of electric and for this reason I have a meter that has 5 differant readings on it and I have to pay a standing charge for the pleasure, which is also going up along with the price increase.

When I recieved my first bill from E-on I was mortified and i called them to ask for a single rate meter not realising my water was heated by electric, they did send a man out to change the meter and it was him that took one look at it and said if he did i would be left without hot water.He explained to me that when my house was built Powergen offered builders such a deal on connection if they used these meters that it was almost free for the builder, well lets face it no builder is going to turn that down is he!!

I have lived with it but I am now getting to a point where I am starting to struggle to keep up with it. My monthly payment has gone from £100 per month when I first moved in to £160 (gas and electric) and that is trying to clear a £300 debt too. I am yet to find another utility company that wants my custom too! no one seems to want to supply me and my strange set up!!

I did speak to my neighbour who had her gas boiler changed under a goverment scheme but when I called them last month they said because I recieve working tax credit I am no longer eligable for the scheme had I of enquired before April then I will probably be sat with a new boiler not writing this post!!

I cant ask my landlord for a new boiler as it is ok, although I am going to be around for the gas check this time so I am going to ask the engineer if there is any way it can be altered to heat my water up as well as my centeral heating.

what does grip i moved from my last house which was only 12 mth old when I moved out because my rent went up and it was a lot bigger than this so I thought the running costs would be less. i have saved £50 per month on my rent to pay almost £100 a month more on utilites, Mental!!

So if there is anyone out there that may of suffered this problem is there anything I can do or is it a case of needing a new boiler? I do have someone coming out about free loft and cavity wall insulation see if that helps at all.

Thanks in Advance
Dee

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi diddlydee1974

I am a bit suprised that you have Heatwise as this is specifically designed for all electric properties with storage heaters.

It's certainly possible to replace the meter with the more conventional single rate/Economy 7 type. This will give you access to a wider range of tariffs both with us and the other suppliers.

However, the meter will be wired directly into your immersion heater. Replacing the meter may, therefore, have implications for your water heating.(it looks like the engineer has said this to you).

I always advise customers thinking of changing from Heatwise to a conventional meter to arrange for an independent approved electrician to check over their set up first. It may be necessary to carry out some remedial work to make sure you don't have any problems once the meter has been changed.

I'm afraid, whilst you have a Heatwise meter, the only tariffs available with us are Heatwise with Economy 7 and Heatwise single rate.

Not sure about the other suppliers. They may be able to offer alternatives but you will need to talk to them individually as these types of metering set ups are not listed on the comparison sites.

If you do decide to change the meter, we currently charge £51.06 for the work involved.

Hope this helps a little.

Helena

diddlydee1974

Helena,

Many thanks for your reply. I am now a little confused, I wasnt charged anything when the meter man came to change my meter last time. Is the £51.06 payment for the work involved with the wiring of the immersion heater or is it just for changing the meter?

Thanks Again
Dee

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

diddlydee1974 wrote: »

Helena,

Many thanks for your reply. I am now a little confused, I wasnt charged anything when the meter man came to change my meter last time. Is the £51.06 payment for the work involved with the wiring of the immersion heater or is it just for changing the meter?

Thanks Again
Dee

Hi Dee,

E.ON would normally charge a fee for a meter exchange, maybe this wasn't charged due to the circumstances. I'm not sure without seeing the details.

The charge is to cover the cost of the meter change appointment, we would recommend getting advice from an electrician about the wiring.

Helena