Official MSE Economy 7 Guide discussion

VfM4meplse

It seems I'm already on the cheapest tariff. Which means I probably need to invest in an energy meter - any MSE recommendations?

lstar337

VfM4meplse wrote: »

It seems I'm already on the cheapest tariff. Which means I probably need to invest in an energy meter - any MSE recommendations?

What do you want the energy meter for?

Let us know what you want to achieve, and we can help further.

still_here

There seems to be something fundamentally stupid about some electricity suppliers. The problem with electricity consumption is peak demand and the fact that it is difficult to store. When there is an advertisement break during a popular TV program consumption shoots up dramatically because of all those kettles going on. Therefore the use of Economy 7 meters should be good for the industry if it encourages users to carry out heavy load operations like washing machines in the night. If I am right suppliers surely should arrange their charges to encourage night use. I have moved to Flow Energy who are pleasingly cheap. However my charges would be even cheaper if I didn't have an Economy 7 meter. I have to use such a high percent at night to get a cheaper bill that I asked if I could go on the single rate, by just adding together my 2 readings. They said, "No!" Can anyone justify this?

Cardew

still_here wrote: »

I have to use such a high percent at night to get a cheaper bill that I asked if I could go on the single rate, by just adding together my 2 readings. They said, "No!" Can anyone justify this?

This has come up before several times.

Apparently it is the inability of the Computer(or rather the program) to cope with aggregating the two meter readings.

BG and E-On manage to achieve that process, but some other companies cannot.

John_Pierpoint

The meters readings are taken onto a gizmo similar to tablet computer or that thing you sign for a parcel.

The meter reading company employees do not work for the company that bills your electricity. It must be quite a tricky job given the variations in meters that there are and the incidents of multiple meters in the one cupboard.
I used to have great fun and games because "1" on my meter was "2" on the tablet, and vice versa.

I would think the problem probably comes with processing the transmissions of tablet readings to each of the suppliers.

Pandora13

After divorcing I stayed in the former marital home and took over the payment of utility bills and asked British Gas for the same level of service I had previously received. I was assured that I was on the same plan that my ex-husband had paid, and that all that needed to be updated was the change of name (as the address remained the same).

I have now found out that I was not kept on the same plan - as the meter was E7 my ex had contacted them previously to arrange that even though he was submitting different meter readings for day and night he would only be charged the one single rate and that they would do that at their end - he had asked about getting the meter changed but they had said it wasn't possible.

I am annoyed that despite telling them I wanted to continue on the same plan as my ex had previously paid for - this has not happened. As a consequence, in a recent telephone conversation I have been told that the meter cannot be changed either but that British Gas will make the necessary arrangements to ensure I only pay the single rate.

However, I just want a single rate meter so that I can see for myself what is going on - Can I insist on the meter being changed? and do I have any chance of challenging the wrong amounts being billed to me for 10 months? Any advice will be gratefully received.

Cardew

No you cannot insist on a single rate meter from BG, or any company for that matter; albeit you can elect to pay for such a meter.

In the case of BG they will aggregate the readings, so there is no need for a new meter.

You might be able to get BG to recalculate your bills for the 10 months you have been paying E7 rates. It will help if you can give them the approx dates you contacted them to tell them that you wanted to remain on the same terms as your husband, as they do record phone calls I believe.

carras

I am in a flat with night storage heaters and Economy 7. Since moving in I have felt I was paying too much but the readings and calculations seemed to be right.
Two weeks ago Eon installed a Smart meter and I have a smart meter unit in full sight in the living room. A few nights ago I was sitting watching TV at about 10:30pm and the reading was 210. A few minutes later I noticed it had jumped to 2030! I had not switched anything on. The fridge.freezer is a category A, there is a low voltage light and a category A TV. After a short while I walked over to the heater and found it had warmed up.
I have asked neighbors and it seems that no one knows where the clock that switches on the night storage heaters is located.
If it is in the outside meter then it should have been set correctly when the new meter was installed. If it is indoors where? Any ideas please?

John_Pierpoint

Watch it at that time for the next few nights and see if the jump in consumption is consistent..
1800 watts(say) is quite a small heating load especially for a whole flat. Has someone simply wired in a heater with its own integral clock, or an additional clock, somewhere in your property.

Have you checked the dual meter to witness exactly when the switch over takes place? My modern electronic meter makes quite a loud "clunk" at 08:04 as its integral clock switches over; I try to have cooked breakfast by then ! .

lstar337

carras wrote: »

I am in a flat with night storage heaters and Economy 7. Since moving in I have felt I was paying too much but the readings and calculations seemed to be right.
Two weeks ago Eon installed a Smart meter and I have a smart meter unit in full sight in the living room. A few nights ago I was sitting watching TV at about 10:30pm and the reading was 210. A few minutes later I noticed it had jumped to 2030! I had not switched anything on. The fridge.freezer is a category A, there is a low voltage light and a category A TV. After a short while I walked over to the heater and found it had warmed up.
I have asked neighbors and it seems that no one knows where the clock that switches on the night storage heaters is located.
If it is in the outside meter then it should have been set correctly when the new meter was installed. If it is indoors where? Any ideas please?

Are your heaters installed correctly?

Are they on their own consumer unit, or bodged into a 13A plug socket?

Especially check the heater that you know was providing heat.