Just moved into our first home.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi nabberuk

Thought it might help if I give you some information about your metering set up. Hope you don't mind if I ramble on a bit.

Heatwise is a particular type of meter specifically designed for all electric properties with storage heaters and water immersion heaters.

They're set up to give 10 hours of cheaper off peak electricity in every 24 hour period for water heating/central heating purposes. This is split into 3 time slots during the afternoon, in the evening and at night.

The actual times will depend on your individual set up. We'll be happy to let you know these times if you contact us.

When in use, Heatwise will automatically turn the heating/water heating on during the off peak times and off again afterwards. To do this, the meter is wired into the heating/water heating circuits at the property.

During the Heatwise times, all electricity used for heating/water heating that goes through these dedicated circuits will be charged at a lower off peak rate.

If the hot water runs out, there's a 1 hour boost of additional hot water available by hitting the 'Boost' button on the front of the meter.

Please be aware, if the boost is used outside of the off peak times, the electricity will be charged at a higher rate.

Heatwise works alongside either a conventional single rate or two rate Economy 7 meter. This records all usage that doesn't go through the dedicated heating/water heating circuits.

This includes both heating/water heating used outside of the Heatwise times as well as all other electrical heating, like convection heaters, that aren't connected to the dedicated circuits.

As there's 5 rates on your meter, it looks like you've the Economy 7 version. In this case, there'll be 7 hours at night where all usage is charged at a lower off peak rate. Again, if you contact us, we can tell you the times the off peak rates are active.

Multi-rate meters, like Heatwise and Economy 7, are only cost effective if a good proportion of electricity is used during the off peak times. This is because day usage is charged at a premium rate.

If the gas at your property runs the main heating, I suspect you're not fully benefiting from the cheaper Heatwise rates.

We only have the one tariff available for Heatwise meters. You can, though, have the meter changed to a more conventional type. This will give you access to more tariffs, both with us and with the other suppliers.

At the moment, we're not charging to replace Heatwise meters.

Before going down this route, I always recommend customers ask a qualified electrician to check over the set up. This is to make sure changing the meter won't affect your heating/water heating. Could be particularly relevant here as you mention you're using an immersion heater.

Charges for the electrician are the customer's responsibility.

Sorry for the ramble nabberuk but hope you find it useful. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

nabberuk_2

Thanks for the explaination, really helpful. I spoke to someone on the support line and they couldn't tell me when it turns on/off our immersion. Our Gas is used for the central heating so i think we will probably look to get the meter changed.

Could i PM you to try and find out what hours our immersion is meant to come on/off?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Happy to help nabberuk but MSE don't let company reps use PMs.

If you drop an email with your details to the address in my Profile, though, I'll sort the times out for you.

Malc

nabberuk_2

Sent! Thanks

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Received the email nabberuk. I'll sort out the relevant information and reply before close of play tomorrow.

Thanks.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi nabberuk

Just emailed you. Hope it helps.

Malc

nabberuk_2

thank you for the update, very helpful!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

You're welcome nabberuk. Happy to help.

Have a good weekend.

Malc