Economy 7 meter & switching

imported_jac

Hi

I tried to switch from Eon to M&S Energy and, because we don't use Economy 7 but still have a E7 meter, I filled the form in saying that we did not use Economy 7. When M&S checked the details they found that we had got an E7 meter and said that they could not proceed with the switch. I asked if I could get the meter changed and then still use the fixed rate deal but they said that deal had now finished but in future I should put that I have got an E7 meter. So I then decided to switch to Scottish Power and said that I had got an E7 meter but used 0% on this tariff. I then got the confirmation details from energyhelpline showing that I would be charged for both day units and night units. When I phoned to check on this the lady at Scottish Power said I should just try it for a while because I might find that I would be better off. I said could I then change my deal to just one rate for all units and she said there might be a charge. She suggested I could speak to Customer Services but I can't get through and they didn't phone me back when they said they would. I'm not sure what I should do. I need to get my meter changed to a single rate meter but by then I would think the fixed rate tariffs will have finished. I know we are better off without Economy 7. Sorry this is so long winded, I'm just not very good at sorting these things out.
Thanks Jackie

Cardew

Some companies(BG and Eon for example) will add the totals from the two meter readings(peak and off-peak) and treat as a single amount. e.g. 3000kWh on peak and 1000kWh will be treated as 4,000kWh on a single rate tariff.

Other companies - including Scottish Power - do not have that facility. You either have an Economy 7 tariff or get the meter changed. Some charge for the meter change - others don't.

Scottish Power at the moment are cheapest for an Economy 7 tariff for most people.

It simply is not possible to use 0% in the 7 hours off-peak. Fridges, and all manner of appliances on standby(microwaves, burglar alarms etc) will be drawing power - not to mention that the off-peak hours can run to 08:30am in some areas in the summer and most people are up before then.

So I wouldn't dismiss economy 7 if you go with Scottish power, especially if you can run appliances(washing machine/dishwasher/dryer etc) overnight or early morning.

[Deleted User]

Check the timerswitch to see what the actual switchover time is onto the cheap rate. If you have an analogue timer , many of these have drifted so far out that the cheap 7 hours could well be in a peak period. There are ways of spotting what time that the cheap rate comes in with most meters. the old mechanical meters have a little indicator pointing to which rate is on. a lot of digital meters default to show which rate is in progress

imported_jac

Hi

Thanks Cardew and sacsquacco. I only put 0% to show them that I was not using Economy 7 even though I had a meter for it. We used to have E7 with Eon but when we checked they said we would be better without it, and we were. However, if Scottish Power have a cheaper rate for E7 perhaps it is worth a try. I was just concerned that if we find it is more expensive then we are stuck with it until the fixed deal expires. I suppose I need to keep trying to contact the customer services to see what they say about that.
Thanks again
Jackie

djp64

Hi Jackie

I have just switched to EDF and also have a friend who wanted to switch to their Fixed to March 2015 product. She has an E7 meter (active) but when / after she switches she wants to get rid of the E7 and move to a standard meter.

I called EDF and they will switch out / remove the E7 meter for free a month after the switch to them is complete. They need to wait a month to be satisfied that the E7 meter is not right for her. We know it's not but happy to wait the month to get the meter changed for free.

Debbie x

Cardew

imported_jac wrote: »

Hi

Thanks Cardew and sacsquacco. I only put 0% to show them that I was not using Economy 7 even though I had a meter for it. We used to have E7 with Eon but when we checked they said we would be better without it, and we were. However, if Scottish Power have a cheaper rate for E7 perhaps it is worth a try. I was just concerned that if we find it is more expensive then we are stuck with it until the fixed deal expires. I suppose I need to keep trying to contact the customer services to see what they say about that.
Thanks again
Jackie

As explained above, with an Economy 7 meter Scottish Power can only supply you with a Economy 7 tariff - they don't have the facility to add the two totals and treat as a single amount on a 'normal'(ie 24/7) tariff.

I have gas CH and an E7 meter and find that the SP March 2015 E7 tariff the cheapest.

You can check by going to www.energyhelpline.com and enter your usage with, say 20% on E7

imported_jac

Hi
Thanks Debbie and Cardew. I will check on energyhelpline as you suggest.
Jackie

pooch

imported_jac wrote: »

Hi

I tried to switch from Eon to M&S Energy and, because we don't use Economy 7 but still have a E7 meter, I filled the form in saying that we did not use Economy 7. When M&S checked the details they found that we had got an E7 meter and said that they could not proceed with the switch. I asked if I could get the meter changed and then still use the fixed rate deal but they said that deal had now finished but in future I should put that I have got an E7 meter. So I then decided to switch to Scottish Power and said that I had got an E7 meter but used 0% on this tariff. I then got the confirmation details from energyhelpline showing that I would be charged for both day units and night units. When I phoned to check on this the lady at Scottish Power said I should just try it for a while because I might find that I would be better off. I said could I then change my deal to just one rate for all units and she said there might be a charge. She suggested I could speak to Customer Services but I can't get through and they didn't phone me back when they said they would. I'm not sure what I should do. I need to get my meter changed to a single rate meter but by then I would think the fixed rate tariffs will have finished. I know we are better off without Economy 7. Sorry this is so long winded, I'm just not very good at sorting these things out.
Thanks Jackie

Rather than lie (you will be found out as the MPAN describes the type of meter), why didn't you speak to the supplier about your situation before applying?

M&S energy is just a tariff supplied by SSE.

SSE do not supply any single rate tariff if you have a multi rate meter. However, they would will change the meter for free (once you are a customer of theirs) if necessary so that you can have the single rate tariff of your choice from them.

imported_jac wrote: »

Hi

Thanks Cardew and sacsquacco. I only put 0% to show them that I was not using Economy 7 even though I had a meter for it. We used to have E7 with Eon but when we checked they said we would be better without it, and we were. However, if Scottish Power have a cheaper rate for E7 perhaps it is worth a try. I was just concerned that if we find it is more expensive then we are stuck with it until the fixed deal expires. I suppose I need to keep trying to contact the customer services to see what they say about that.
Thanks again
Jackie

Putting 0% does not show you are not using E7 (or you dont have a dual rate meter)
It shows you do have an E7 meter and fail to use any electricity overnight.

Unless the house is empty and unoccupied, then it is probably also a lie that you don't use any electricity overnight.

imported_jac

Hi pooch

Thank you for that. I am not in the habit of lying. On the form I filled in it asked if I had economy 7 and I answered 'no', because I don't, and at that time I did not realise that other companies could not add the meter readings together as Eon do. The second time I filled in the form I was more aware of the meter problem and put that I had E7 but did not use it by putting 0% usage. Of course we use electricity at night. I also know that M&S energy is SSE.
Totally unncessary and slanderous post.

pooch

imported_jac wrote: »

Hi pooch

Thank you for that. I am not in the habit of lying.

You could have fooled me

imported_jac wrote: »

Totally unncessary and slanderous post.

I refute that the post was unnecessary (but I guess that is a matter of subjective opinion)
As regards to it being allegedly slanderous, the allegation would be one of being libellous at it is in printed form.

However, the easiest and most efficient manner in which to defend any allegation of libel is to prove what was posted was true.

You admited it again here:

imported_jac wrote: »

...On the form I filled in it asked if I had economy 7 and I answered 'no', because I don't, ...The second time I filled in the form I was more aware of the meter problem and put that I had E7 but did not use it by putting 0% usage. Of course we use electricity at night...

I'm sorry if the responses you receive are not the responses you wish to hear.

Perhaps you need to think about that carefully before posting on a forum where others may comment on your post.

jrawle

I was in this situation in a previous property. I was with British Gas and they added the meter readings together and charged the standard tariff. But they were expensive, and I wanted to switch. In the end, I had to switch to another supplier on E7 temporarily, then once I was with them request to have the meter changed, which was free.

It's unlikely to be economical to be on E7 if you don't use night storage heaters. The daytime unit cost on E7 is much higher than on standard tariff, so you have to use a lot of electricity during the night to make it worthwhile.

So I suggest finding the cheapest standard tariff, switching to the supplier's E7 tariff, then requesting a meter change. It's probably worthwhile talking to the firm's customer services first to make sure they'll do this.