Switching economy 10 electricity?

bifi

We have lived in our rented flat for 4 years now. We have an electricity only flat and it is set up for Economy 10 with 2 separate meters.
We are paying a fortune to E-on to heat a small 2 bedroomed flat. I've tried switching a few times to cheaper suppliers but this always falls through when they find out that we have 2 meters and economy 10.
Are there any other suppliers who do economy 10? It doesn't come up as an option on comparison websites so it is hard to check.
If not how can I check whether we would be cheaper just having 1 meter as this would allow us to shop around for cheaper suppliers?
E-on have just put their prices up again and we're struggling as it is. We try to only use the lighting and heating that we need and can't cut back any further so switching suppliers is the only hope.

HappyMJ

You need to ring E-on and ask them to exchange the meter. Once exchanged you can then switch to a better tariff. Which meter would you like....E7 for storage heating and off peak hot water. Or...standard for most of your heating with a heat pump or standard electric heating at any time of the day.

What is your current split between your Day, Night and Heat rates?

bifi

We have underfloor heating but there are no timers on it. We have to turn the thermostat up and wait approx 3 hours for heat to come through.
I'm not sure that Economy 7 would be much use because we use the most heating during the evening to heat the flat.
We currently get cheaper rates between 2:30 - 7:30am, 1:30 - 4pm (no use, as we're at work then) and 10pm to 2:30am (again not much use as we're asleep).
I don't know about split between day, night and heat rates. How could we check that?
Do you know if there is a way of comparing what we're paying now to what we would pay for the same usage with Economy 7 or standard tarriffs? The last thing we want to do is change meters and then be worse off!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi bifi

Economy 10 can sometimes be used as a generic term to cover a number of metering set ups also known as Restricted Hour Tariff (RHT) meters.

RHT meters are specifically designed for all electric properties with particular types of heating arrangements. This can be storage heaters, under floor heating, space heating, water immersion heating etc.

These set ups generally have two meters similar to your description.

One meter will record general household consumption for things like lighting, washing machines etc. The second meter records electricity used for heating/water heating purposes during certain off peak periods.

To do this, the meter will be wired directly into the heating/water heating circuits at the property.

RHT meters give customers cheaper electricity at some time during every 24 hour period. A time switch is used to switch between the two meters.

There'll also be a number of hours where all electricity is charged at the cheaper off peak rates.

The times these cheaper rates are active will vary depending on the meter and the region.

Because of the specialist type of set up involved, I'm afraid, we only have the one tariff available. This is also why they don't appear on the comparison sites.

Other suppliers may support the meter but you'll need to talk to each of them directly to see what they can do.

It's certainly possible to change to a more conventional metering set up like single rate or Economy 7.

However, I always recommend that customers thinking of this have an independent approved electrician check over the system before going ahead. Often, there will be some remedial work needed before a conventional meter can be fitted.

The cost of any remedial work is the customer's responsibility. We're also currently charging £51.06 to change a meter.

Might help cut your bills a bit if it's possible to use more electricity during the off peak periods. Let us know if you're unsure when these periods are active.

You can call us or, alternatively, drop an email to the address in my Profile. I'll be happy to find out the times for you.

Hope this helps a little.

Malc

sheffield_lad

I would also suggest you think before moving off E10 as with E7 your heaters will be spent by around 6-7pm and you will need an alternative heat source from then on. With E7 your normal usage will be higher as a premium for having cheap off peak through the night.

GL

bifi

Thanks for the responses. It looks like we might have to buy another plug in heater and use it on a timer (which we currently do in the main bedroom).
Having looked into it a bit further it doesn't seem likely that we'll save by switching to a normal meter because of the number of hours that we use our heating system.
We are currently trying to save up so that we can move out - might just have to stick with that plan and put some extra jumpers on!
Other than that we'll just have to eat less :(
If anyone is thinking of moving into an underfloor heated property with no timers I'd advise them not to. :(:(

Road_Hog

bifi wrote: »

We have underfloor heating

I think that, that is your problem. I'm not familiar with the cost of it, but often when I read a thread on here about underfloor heating, people seem to mention that it is a very expensive way of heating a home.

bolamir

Hope thismessage reaches Eon. I have triedrepeatedly to get information about Economy 10. After numerous calls I am unable to get a simple answer to basicquestions. I am in MPAN 16 (Cumbria)

1. I have asked about economy 10 meters. Eon told me “there are severaldifferent types of meter”. When Iask for details of all the types no response is given.

2. I have asked if any changes will be required to my wiring (currentlyEonomy 7 with a split load consumer unit, i.e with two sets of tails from the meterto the consumer unit so that the heating and water side of the consumer unit isonly live during the off peak hours) .The response from Eon is “It depends”. Again the Eon agent would not give anydetails.

3. I have asked to speak to someone with the technical knowledge. The agentrefused to help me. One agent said hewas putting through to a relevant department. After a long wait the line washung up by Eon. Another agent told meto ring another number. This turned outto be a call centre for a different electricity supplier.

4. I have asked what the off peak hours are and to which circuits they applyto. I have been given several different explanations.

Surely it isa simple matter for Eon to let me know what the different types of meter for Economy10 are . Assuming there is choice, the Iformation would aid a considered decision. I have read some of the posts on here by Eon representatives. The replies are very informative. Hopefullyone of the representatives might help me.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi bolamir

I'm sorry you've struggled to find the information you've asked for when calling in. To be honest, the nature of the questions you're asking aren't something our general advisors would know.

The best people to talk to here are the Meter Operators for your area. Even then, you'll need to talk to the Complex Metering guys.

You also need advice from a qualified approved electrician. The Meter Operator will tell you about the meter but won't be able to advise about anything after the meter.

As per my earlier post, Economy 10 is somewhat of a generic term used to describe a variety of multi-rate meters. Such meters are often only suited to certain types of properties with specific heating/water heating arrangements.

Although Economy 10 meters give 10 hours of cheaper off peak electricity for heating/water heating purposes, we only have the one tariff available. This can sometimes make them uncompetitive.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Malc