How can i switch to another supplier (Economy 7)

kathsl22

Hello can anyone help?

I received my winter quarterly bill from NPower the other week and was shocked at just how much it was. I decided to look into moving suppliers but after ringing round a few cheaper suppliers, the outcome was the same - they couldn't supply my electricity. I am still a little puzzled about why this is, but the general idea I received was that the meter I have installed can only support NPower-specific tariffs. The only way around this would be to have the meter removed and a new one installed. I really don't know how how much this would cost and how easy it would be. Would I save money in the long run? NPowers charges seem to be increasing rapidly and I am worried, that before long, I am going to be paying well over the odds for my electricity?

Could anyone offer me some advice on this.

Thanks
K

Ken68

This seems a real fiddle, Kath, worthy of http://www.energywatch.org.uk/ or Ofgem.
A supplier puts in expensive metering, no competitor will touch it , therefore no competition.

Mizz_Pink

We are with Southern Electric and on Economy 7, someone on here worked out that we use only 12% of electricity at night so SE are coming out to swap our meter free of charge, we will be on a flat rate day and night and our service charge will come down. Is this what you mean ? Cant NPower do the same and take you off Economy 7 ? SE said they only recommend Economy7 for people who have swimming pools/hot tubs or who do a lot of washing/drying at night.

kathsl22

We have storage heaters therefore an Economy tariff is the only cost effective tariff available to us. The only thing is, NPower have us on a special type of Economy tariff, which is the only type of tariff which our currently installed meter will support - that is unless we change our meter, which I assume could cost an arm and a leg!

BexTech

Meter swaps should be free, if you switch companies some say you have to be with them a month before they will swap the meter. You'd need to get confirmation.

Mizz_Pink

kathsl22 wrote: »

We have storage heaters therefore an Economy tariff is the only cost effective tariff available to us. The only thing is, NPower have us on a special type of Economy tariff, which is the only type of tariff which our currently installed meter will support - that is unless we change our meter, which I assume could cost an arm and a leg!

It was free to change our meter over.

Worth asking your supplier surely ?

Ken68

Whilst it might be free to the customer, someone has to pay. Your present provider, no doubt, if you change to a cheaper set-up, but then he loses out when you move. nPower might insist on a long term contract so as to recoup the expense.

wills34

Have you got 2 electricity meters? If you have a second meter this is classed as economy 10 which means certain suppliers cant accomodate the secondary mpan. If you have standard economy 7 and 1 electric meter you would have no problems switching to the supplier of your choice. This is not a fiddle all the electric companies inherited a lot of the old electric boards economy 10 meter's where you get an afternoon boost this is what the other suppliers can't/wont accomodate. This tariff is now historical and is no longer offered. If you do have this ask npower to remove this secondary meter and make sure your local mpas are aware so it is taken off their register. This then free's you up to shop around on eco 7. Apologies if this is not the case but based on the info you gave i believe is is a fair assumption

kathsl22

Wills34 - that is exactly the situation. We have two supply numbers at the property and are on a Super Tariff with Npower (just found this out - thought it was Economy 7). So, the first step would be to contact NPower to get them to change the meter to an Economy 7 meter. Please could you provide me with some info on MPAS - I have not heard of this organisation?

tripled

I'm sure I remember a new regulation came in a couple of years ago meaning any supplier should support any meter if the customer insists on transferring to them, however it can work out very expensive as you won't be charged the correct rates for the various times.

MPAS stands for Meter Point Administration Service (or something like that) and basically they just administer the supply numbers. nPower should update them automatically when the meter is changed, although it could take a couple of weeks.

wills34

npower should update it automatically as tripled said but this occasionally takes time if you switching straight away ask npower for your local mpas number (they will know) to check that it has been updated on the register. This is because if you switch straight away and the register has not been updated your new supplier will recognise 2 mpans at the property (from the mpas database), resulting in possible problems or delays in transfer. If the secondary mpan is taken of the register this should result in a hassle free switch. If you live in an npower regional area which is northern/yorks or midlands you will definitely find someone cheaper. Good luck!