Economy 7 meter or single rate (SSE)

Nelly321

FTB moving into property, currently supplied by SSE (gas + electric) I wanted to continue using them so I rang them to arrange a start.

Was all fine, until I said I was going to go online and switch to the 1 year fixed deal. But apparently as the electric is 2 rate, it can't be fixed.

The lady from SSE mentioned that as the property doesn't have storage heaters so a single rate meter might be better and that would allow use to have a fixed rate.

Has anyone else switched from Economy 7 to single rate?

Or has any advice

macman

Fixed tariffs should be available in both single rate and E7 options. It's the same tariff name but with a different metering option. I checked that tariff online and it's available in dual fuel or electricity only versions, with an E7 option. So you have either been given absurdly wrong info, or you have another sort of dual rate meter which they do not support (such as E10, Heatwise, etc). Check the name of your current tariff.
Switching from E7 to single rate may or may not require a meter change. Unless you are typically using 30% of your units on cheap rate, then E7 is unlikely to be cheaper-it depends on your tariff and region.
Do you have and use an immersion heater? If not, E7 is of even less use without NSH's.

Nelly321

Thanks mac man.

We have a combi boiler! I am going to ring up later to quiz them again!

Buzby

You have a right to E7 but only you can make the decision if its worthwhile for you. FWIW, I do not have storage radiators but my almost 50% reduction in the low rate IS cost effective (night time washing, electric Vehicle recharging, etc).

Check your night consumption, then crunch the numbers yourself.

Nelly321

Thanks. I am on the standard rate for now, so I guess I should think about it and do some calcs for a bit before making a decision and fixing.... Sound wise?

malc_b

If you have an E7 meter at the moment then it will cost you to have that changed to a single meter (I think EDF used to do it for free). Some companies but not all (and maybe none now since I haven't done this for a while) will allow you to combine readings from a 2 rate meter so you don't have to have the meter changed to go on single rate.

Nelly321

Guess I really need to see if it's worth it in the long run...

macman

Nelly321 wrote: »

Thanks. I am on the standard rate for now, so I guess I should think about it and do some calcs for a bit before making a decision and fixing.... Sound wise?

No. The first thing you need to do is establish what sort of metering you already have. As pointed out above, I'm unconvinced that you have an E7 meter, otherwise there is no reason for SSE to decline you that tariff. Not all dual rate meters are E7.