Wrong time set on Economy 7 meter ?

arthurk

Hello,

I think my Economy 7 meter is way off with time. I've made following picture at 15:21 yesterday:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zreyouciqzwtw25/2013-11-02%2015.21.30.jpg

If I understand this correctly it shows it's 9AM. When I moved in I was told that night rate is 12-7am. I've tested this with a immersion heather socket for the night rate by connecting a lamp and it did not light up at 12am and still wasn't up by 1am. I gave it another go in the morning around 10am and it was working which would confirm that times are off.

Can someone confirm that this is the case before I call Npower ? Also is this something that should get me a refund ? I was using dishwasher and washing machine over night for a long time and I believe those were billed on the day rate

[Deleted User]

who told you that the cheap night rate hours was 12 till 7 am ? Most of these old analogue timers are not exactly as maybe they were originally intended, which in my area is 12.30 to to 7.30. The digital ones and the radio telemeter timers are more or less correct, but you are one of the luckier ones where your cheap rate has been skewed into a better time period rather than the dead of night. You can try Npower for a reduction but the meter is` nt actually any suppliers responsibilty. I think you will find that Npower have`nt ever quoted you a time period. There should be a little indicator on your meter showing which rate is in progress.
I see many of these meters where the cheap rate is so far out it is in to the peak consumption periods after 5 pm in the evening so its to the occupiers benefit.

arthurk

When I moved in there was a sticker on the Economy 7 outlet. I guess my landlord thought that's the proper time. I think I need to find out the exact time when it works and use this for my benefit.

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Yes Arthurk, work out what time your cheap 7 hours are yourself. Npower will have no idea, if you ve got an old style mechanical meter, or a dial meter there will be a little idicator showing a red portion which indicates low or normal is off. The digital ones mostly have some way of showing such as a blinking curser, or 1 or 2 blinking. some also default to display the rate in progress.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

according to your photie, your timer is set to come on at 12 midnight and go off at 7am.

It is showing 9am when actual time is 3.20pm, so, running 6hr 20 min slow.

Which means you are getting your cheap rate from 6.20am until 1.20pm.

Now, that to me seems a better time to do washing, use dishwasher, and also means that your storage heaters (you don't say if you use them) will be a lot warmer in the evening.

You can contact NPower and explain the situation, demand they get it sorted, and fight for compensation, but, it seems to be to your advantage just now, though, keep your eye on the timer incase it gradually runs a bit slower.

lstar337

Looks like you are getting a good deal!

Most of your off-peak is during times when you can really use it!

Lucky you.

Richie-from-the-Boro

E7 gets you cheaper leccy during the night. Controlled by (1) a timer in the meter itself, or a (2) separate timer or a (3) radio signal. Times vary for the off-peak period, and are related to the legacy of the old regional leccy boards. You will always receive a minimum of 7 hours in each 24 hour period at the cheaper rate. Suppliers do not know nor care about the exact times of your meter. The best clue to what your times are is to watch your meter at around the time below, you should note all times are GMT and do not change with the clocks forward & back. Again times vary by make and model of your meter /and or/ time switch and the local leccy distribution area that you live in.

Eastern = 23:00 - 07:00am
East Midlands = 23:00 - 07:00am
London Electric = 23:00 - 07:00am
Manweb = 00:00 - 08:00am

MEB (mechanical meter) = Summer time - 01:00 - 08:00am Winter time - 00:00 - 07:00am (Radio teleswitch meter) = Summer time - 01:30 - 08:30am Winter time - 22:30 - 00:30am and - 02:30 - 07:30am

Northern = 00:30 - 07:30am
Norweb = 00:30 - 07:30am
Scottish Hydro = ( All meters have different settings)
ScottishPower = 22:00 - 08:30am
Seeboard = 22:30 - 00:30 and 02:30 - 07:30am
Southern = 23:30 - 06:30am
SWALEC = (All meters have different settings)
SWEB = (All meters have different settings)
Yorkshire = 00:30 - 07:30am

receiving a minimum of 7 hours in each 24 hour period at the cheaper rate is all I concern myself with !

nPower

arthurk wrote: »

Hello,

I think my Economy 7 meter is way off with time. I've made following picture at 15:21 yesterday:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zreyouciqzwtw25/2013-11-02%2015.21.30.jpg

If I understand this correctly it shows it's 9AM. When I moved in I was told that night rate is 12-7am. I've tested this with a immersion heather socket for the night rate by connecting a lamp and it did not light up at 12am and still wasn't up by 1am. I gave it another go in the morning around 10am and it was working which would confirm that times are off.

Can someone confirm that this is the case before I call Npower ? Also is this something that should get me a refund ? I was using dishwasher and washing machine over night for a long time and I believe those were billed on the day rate

Hi Arthur

Thank you for your post.

I have reviewed the above and it does appear to be the case that the timeswitch on your meter is out. The timeswitch controls when your day rate is active and when your night rate is active. Depending on which area you live in your night rate is normally operational between 12.30am and 7.30am. If you have storage heaters that take effect during the night this may be adding to the cost of your bill as you may be being charged on the more expensive day rate. I'd be happy to take a look at this for you and we can arrange for an engineer to go out and inspect your meter. You're welcome to send me an email to the email address on our profile page if you would like me to review this.

Kind regards

David