Supplier and tariff for RHT meter

MiniPeeps

I have an RHT Meter in my rented flat, which was built in the mid 90's. It was with e.on when I moved in and I've tried to switch it to NPower, Scottish Power, isupply - all with no success. E.on are the most expensive, does anyone know of any electricity companies who can take on the supply for a Restricted Hour Tariff meter? When I look in the meter box there are 2 meters, one smaller than the other with 4 electric rates and the larger meter has the current usage.

When I spoke to e.on and they said the cheapest they could do for a 1-bed flat with only 3 electric heaters for a working single person who is out nearly all day is £96 per month (!!!!!!!!) they also said that I am not on Economy 7, as I thought, but my cheapest times are between midnight and 7am. Doesn't that mean I am on Economy 7? Isn't that what an RHT Meter is, or does that mean something different?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi MiniPeeps

RHT meters come in various forms depending on the region and the type of meter at the property.

They're different from the conventional Economy 7 meters. With Economy 7, all usage for 7 continuous hours during the night is charged at a cheaper rate.

However, an RHT meter provides electricity at cheaper off peak rates at certain different times during every 24 hours for things like storage heaters or under floor heating.

The number of hours involved depends on the actual metering set up. There'll also be different periods during each 24 hour period when heating/water heating will be available at off peak rates.

Within these times, there'll be a period when all usage is at the off peak rates.

Where two meters are involved, one will record normal usage whilst the other is for off peak usage for storage heaters, water heating etc. A timeswitch will be used to switch between the two meters.

Best thing is to find out the type of meter involved and what times the off peak rates are active. This will help you plan your usage more cost effectively.

Happy to help with this if you like. Just drop an email to the address in my Profile.

Malc

pooch

MiniPeeps wrote: »

I have an RHT Meter in my rented flat, which was built in the mid 90's. It was with e.on when I moved in and I've tried to switch it to NPower, Scottish Power, isupply - all with no success. E.on are the most expensive,

They also appear to be the cheapest :money:

blueperil

I've just started a separate thread regarding the removal/merging of an RHT meter but found this one very interesting with regards to keeping both meters and being billed for the total usage, did anyone, especially jd87, have any luck with this?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi blueperil

Just replied to your other thread at the following link.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4372237

Regarding your question about the usage from both meters being added together and charged as one. I'm afraid, this isn't possible with two RHT meters.

Posts 12 and 14 above are particularly relevant to this.

RHT meters are designed to measure how much electricity is used for heating/water heating purposes only. This is further complicated by the need to measure this usage at certain times of the day.

A boost facility may add to the complexity.

RHT is a term used to cover a variety of different combinations of multi-rate meters. Each type comes with its own particular set up.

Our billing system has been standardised to cover the various possible combinations. At the moment, there are no plans to change this.

Sorry can't offer anything more positive but hope this is of interest.

Malc

Former_MSE_Marcel

Hi Malc

For others on this thread, hope it's Ok here to ask Malc a few questions on Restricted Hour Tariffs.

My name is Marcel, I'm a consumer writer at MSE and I'm doing some research on Restricted Hour Tariffs. It's to help a reader - an Eon customer - who thinks they might be stuck on an RHT, want to switch and feel trapped.

I'm doing some research first though, so could you let me know:

* Is there a proper distinction between a Restricted Hour Tariff and an Economy 7/Economy 10 tariff? OR
* Is RHT the generic description given to Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs?
* If it's the latter, if someone's on a Restricted Hour Tariff with Eon - would they by definition be on Economy 7 or Economy 10?
* Can someone be on Economy 7 or Economy 10, and also be on a Restricted Hour meter?

If you want to know more about me you can see a guide to Economy 7 I've written on the main MoneySavingExpert site.

Really hope you can help it's a complex area!

thanks

Marcel

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Marcel

Restricted Hour Tariff (RHT) is often used as a generic term to describe a range of different metering set ups.

Basically, RHT refers to set ups that provide cheaper off peak electricity at certain times during every 24 hour period for specific types of heating/water heating arrangements.

They’re usually found in all electric properties with particular heating arrangements. This might include things like storage heaters, under floor heating and water immersion heaters.

The actual type of meter and switching times vary widely depending on the region and the meter manufacturer.

Sometimes they involve one meter with multiple registers. In other cases, there can be two meters with a time switch to switch between the two.

Historically, RHT meters were installed at the request of builders and property developers as a means of giving people without the benefit of mains gas a cheaper way of heating their homes. This is by utilising the off peak times each day when electricity demand is at its lowest.

To work, meters will be wired into the heating and water heating circuits at individual properties.

Certain meters also have a boost facility to give people the ability to have an extra hour of hot water whenever they wish. This can add to the complexity.

There are lots of different types of RHT meter. Many are unique to a particular region. For instance, Heatwise in the East Midlands or Economy 18 in the Eastern region.

We only have the one tariff for RHT meters.

Economy 7 and Economy 10 are also multi rate meters. These, too, are sometimes considered to be a form of RHT meter. There are differences though.

Economy 7 is a more conventional type of meter. They give 7 hours of continuous off peak electricity at night for all usage. These can be found anywhere in the UK and often work well with storage heaters. Switching times still vary depending on the region.

All our tariffs are available to customers with Economy 7 meters.

Economy 10 is a little different. These meters give 10 hours of off peak electricity for heating/water heating purposes only. These are split into three periods at night, during the afternoon and in the evening.

During the night period, there are five hours where all electricity is charged at off peak rates.

Again, switching times depend on the region and type of Economy 10 meter. Like RHT, we only have the one Economy 10 tariff.

There’s a diverse and wide range of RHT meters. The best way to give more specific advice is to know the type of meter at individual properties.

I hope the above helps, though. Give me a shout if you need any more information Marcel. I’ll do my best to help.

Malc

Former_MSE_Marcel

That's great thanks Malc!