Official MSE Economy 7 Guide discussion

ChumpusRex

Cardew wrote: »

Some E7 properties are wired so only storage heating and(usually) immersion heaters receive off-peak electricity for the 7 hours; all other electricity for sockets/cookers/lighting etc is charged at peak rate 24/7.

That's not E7. There are some old off-peak tariffs (white meter) , mainly in Scotland, which work as you describe. There are also modern stored heat tariffs like heatwise - but that is not E7.

These types of tariff have 2 meters to record different energy prices simultaneously.

An E7 meter can only record 1 tariff at a time regardless of how it is wired up.

Ribeye

Hi, I am new so I am not sure if this is the right place to post this. I got here from the article about Economy 7 where it has a table showing charges for changing meters.


The builder installed an Economy 7 meter, but I don't know why because we have always had gas and radiators, so I decided to change to a standard tariff a couple of years ago.


I was with Scottish Power and I thought they could just add the two readings together but no, that was too difficult. One call centre person said it would be £60 and another said £80 so I don't know why the MSE table says it is FREE!! When I eventually decided to go ahead I was then told not to bother because all meters were being changed to 'smart' meters in the next year or two. Scottish Power were obviously not interested in shifting me a more suitable tariff. This was about 12 to 18 months ago but I don't think my meter is becoming 'smart' any time soon.


I am now with Greenstar Energy (via the MSE cheap energy club) and I asked them just the other day if they could add two numbers together but it's too difficult for them too! They told me it would cost £60 to change the meter but I think I will also have to pay another £30 to change my tariff. They don't know when 'smart' meters will be installed.


I hope this info is useful to somebody.


There are not many companies in the table offering free changes, so can anybody tell me if they know of others or any companies that can add two numbers together for when I change supplier again later in the year when my contract ends?


Thanks.

Cardew

Ribeye wrote: »

There are not many companies in the table offering free changes, so can anybody tell me if they know of others or any companies that can add two numbers together for when I change supplier again later in the year when my contract ends?


Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.


Certainly British Gas and E-on will add the peak and off-peak consumption together and treat as a single total. I believe OVO do as well but I haven't used them.


As you state, Scottish Power will not add them together; if you have an E7 meter you must have an E7 tariff. However it is pertinent to point out that their E7 fixed to Sept 2016 tariff is very competitive at the moment - albeit their customer service is currently a disaster area. I have Gas CH and E7 and they are the cheapest for my consumption pattern and area. By that I mean cheaper than a 24/7 single rate tariff from any company.


There have also been posts saying that Sainsburys and First Utility have very competitive E7 tariffs.

Ribeye

Thanks Cardew. I'm with Greenstar until August but I'll check when I switch to see if, like you, I can find an E7 tariff cheaper than standard for my usage.

Cardew

Should also add that it is often cheaper now to get gas and electricity from separate companies.

ANewBeginning

My mother in law has always had economy 7. She has no storage heaters, just an immersion heater. She is 87. So uses a lot of her electricity during the day. She does not have central heating, just two gas fires. These are her only gas output. She is with scottish power who want to put her DD up to £95 a month, for a two bed mid terrace house with one occupant.
I want to change her supplier.

My question is, is it actually worth her having economy 7?

afmfifgh

If you are able to get the old bills you can quite quickly work out what percentage is being used in the Economy 7 night hours and then tell if it is worth having.

From memory I think MSE says you should be using about 40% of your usage at night.

I did this exercise for my parents and found they consistently used only 20% at night. So switched them.

It would be worth doing a comparison to see if it is worth switching as I would think that would give you the best idea as to if it is worth switching from or staying with an E7 tariff.

HTH.

swanangel121

have no idea how to do a new post so sorry, i have moved into a 1 bed bungalow with a wood burner, but have been told storage heaters would be cheaper, can anyone advise please as im on benefit so need cheapest but good option Many Thanks

Eco_Child

I have a question about Economy 7, cannot find where to open a new thread ???:(

Cardew

Eco_Child wrote: »

I have a question about Economy 7, cannot find where to open a new thread ???:(

If you go to 'energy' there is a 'new thread' button at the top left.


That is unless they have restrictions on those just joining.


However as this is the Economy 7 thread, it won't hurt to post your question here.