Half Hourly Metres

Edmund_Dantes

Our business recently relocated to premises which had previously been used by a high energy user. As a consequence the electricity used is read on a half hourly meter. We are not a high energy user.
Should I just leave the situation as it is or should I demand that we be switched to an ordinary meter.
If the answer is to switch to an ordinary meter, how do I go about getting this done because I have spoken to E-on about it and they don't want to know.
Any suggestions more than welcome.

matelodave

What difference does it make how often the meter gets read. You should only end up paying for what you've used. You wont be billed in half hour segments. You main concern is that you've got a decent tariff

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

You may or may not be billed in half hour segments - this depends on your tariff.

The very high end consumer can ask for a tariff that consists of a "base rate" that they agree in advance (usually for 24 or 36 months) and the rest is at the spot price for that moment in time - they're effectively accepting that the supplier trades on their behalf. If you're a low user it's unlikely you'll be on such a tariff.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Edmund Dantes

I'm sorry you weren't happy with the help you received when you spoke to us. Must admit, I'm no expert on Half Hourly meters but I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.

Half Hourly meters are usually found at sites with high levels of energy usage. As the previous occupier was a high user, this will be why you've inherited this meter.

Now there's been a change of use, you can ask for a downgrade to a more conventional Non Half Hourly meter.

Before doing this, though, have a chat to your local electricity distribution company to make sure their supply is capable of managing the change. Contact details will be on your bills and our website.

Thought it might help if I give you a bit of background as to why you need to do this.

Half Hourly meters help us better understand how a large amount of electricity is being used. This lets us give customers specific advice and forecast how much electricity may be needed in the future.

There are also certain legal and environmental responsibilities that businesses with high levels of usage need to meet.

These properties must have the right meters, cables and pipework capacity to match this usage and meet the relevant regulations.

Consequently, changing the meter may involve more than just a straight swap. Your distributor will be able to tell you this.

If all is ok, we've a specialist team who deal with this type of work. They're the Premier Business Team and these are the advisors to talk to.

There's more information, including contact details, on the business section of our website.

This part of the website also has a section about how businesses can cut back on their usage. When you've a spare couple of minutes, I'd recommend taking a look at the Energy Toolkit. Might be useful.

Sorry again you were unhappy with earlier advice but hope this helps point you in the right direction.

Malc

MeterMan

Half hourly meter just means that the meter will update the reading every 30 minutes, compared to a mechanical meter which has a spinning disc and a reading that changes immediately.

Ryune

Half hourly supplies are classed as profile 00 (mpan) and have more to them than just the regularity of readings. You're required to have a meter operator (roughly £300 pa) or pay for one through the supplier. The tariff also is more detailed in that things like capacity are charged seperatly rather than built in as with domestic and SME supplies. This may not be in your favour.