British gas smart meter (free electric)

jessmist

Hi
I recently had my smart meter installed for my electric and I have gone on the smarter energy December 2014 tariff.
With this tariff you get free electric on a Saturday between 9am and 5pm
I was told that the energy monitor would show current usage as £0.00 between the free electric time. But mine is still showing a current cost per hour.
Have I been given the wrong information from the customer service rep?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks

imho

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2382381/Could-leave-washing-weekend-British-Gas-reveals-plan-offer-free-electricity-Saturdays.html
Think it starts mid 2014

jessmist

Thanks for the reply.
I think I am on some sort of trial tariff as they told me it is a limited offer. When I look at my online account it says I am on the smarter energy December 2014 tariff and the customer service rep said it would start today. She said the energy display monitor would show £0.00 kwh between 9am-5pm but mine is still showing the cost.
Just hope the electric is free today as the tumble dryer has ran all day.

[Deleted User]

8 hours free electricity sounds too good to be true but if that's what your written contract says then so be it - good luck to you and I'm sure that you'll be joined by many other new customers in taking advantage of that offer.
In your position though I would request that you do receive a contract in writing as websites can change. I just changed tariff with Eon and have received a written contract even though I manage my account online.

jessmist

Thanks for the reply.
I have it in writing about the tariff.
I was wondering if the monitor should have shown £0.00 throughout the free period.
We have used 26 kwh in the eight hour period.

[Deleted User]

Since it's a smart meter you should be charged exactly what it shows on the screen so it looks like you have been misinformed regarding the start date as the screen is showing the normal cost.
The meter will just report back that you have used 26Kwh during the free period so you will need to keep an eye on your bill and make sure that you are not charged for the energy used.

jessmist

Ok thanks.
Think I will give them a ring on Monday to confirm.
The lady I spoke to on Tuesday said it would definitely be free today as my meter change had been sorted on my account and my tariff had been changed to the smarter energy December 2014 tariff.

jessmist

Just thought I would post an update.
You are correct the display monitor should have shown £ 0.00 during the free period. It has been correctly set up now so all should be ok this Saturday.
They have also given me £ 5.00 credit to make up for last Saturday's usage and for being given the wrong information.

imho

Blimey i would be doing a weeks worth of washing/ironing /cooking.Tumble dryer going all day with electric heating on if i had free electric for 8 hours.

jessmist

imho wrote: »

Blimey i would be doing a weeks worth of washing/ironing /cooking.Tumble dryer going all day with electric heating on if i had free electric for 8 hours.

#

Exactly what we are trying.
Tumble dryer will be getting a lot of use tomorrow.:rotfl:

Andy_WSM

Will be interesting to see how much you "save". I for one don't believe the savings can be worthy of having a day stuck at home on the weekend doing all the laundry & cleaning, especially trying to get it all done in an 8 hour period.

One possible saving for those with Gas Central Heating is to have a couple of plug in electric heaters for a Saturday = free heat if you are home all day.

Shame they managed to get their "day" down to 8 hours too. Calling it a "day" sounds better than "a third of a day of free electric" I guess.