Eon Energy 18 Energy Plan 3

leeruddecology

Hi MSE fans,

I have been a long follower of MSE, but this is only my second post!

I moved into my flat in April and I have underfloor heating, heat pump and heat recovery system. I was advised to go on Eon Energy 18 Energy Plan 3. I will be honest I am not too sure what I get. I only have electricity, so no gas or anything else!

My main concern is I do not know if I am on a good tariff for my situation. Also, because I have a double meter, due to my under floor heating, heat recovery etc I have no idea if I can even compare my usage effectively to see if another tarrif is more suited to me.

Here is what I do know.

Unit rates;

First 2808kWh 17.724p per kWh

Day 16.9575p per kWh

Night 7.518p per kWh

Stored heat 8.9355 per kWh

Standing charge 29.148p per day

So far, I have not had the heating on, as I have only been in the flat since April, however the heating will be coming on soon. So hence my concern about getting the best deal. I was told if I wanted to switch tariff today I would need to change the meter (cost about £50). They couldn't effectively tell me what my energy plan means, because he had never heard of it. Very confusing indeed.

I have a D/D for £52 per month, but my generated monthly have been between £28-£32 for the past six months when meter readings supplied. The standing charge makes up most of this cost! I understand my bill will increase as I use the heating in the winter.

I only use about 10-15 kWh of night rate a month. This is likely just the washing machine, which I run 2-3 times a week. No dishwasher or any other heavyusage appliances.

I assume once I start putting the heat on, I will run it during the night,so this will increase. But, will turning on my heat, use the stored heat rate?

Before I moved into this flat, my energy was all included within my rent, soI didn’t even have to think about my usage, hence my naivety!

Can you help please?

I am not too sure exactly what my tariff is, i.e. what is stored heat and how I know if I am on the best tariff. At the moment I am assuming I am a very low energy user, with monthly bills of between 28-32£.

If it helps, I live in Norfolk, single occupant and worktypical 9-5 hours.

leeruddecology

Hi all I got an email saying footyguu replied to my post but I don't see any replies. Any ideas?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi leeruddecology

I'm sorry you didn't receive very helpful advice when you phoned us.

I've received the email you sent to our mailbox about this meter and have just replied.

For the benefit of others, Economy 18 meters were mainly designed for all electric properties with particular types of heating arrangements. This includes things like the underfloor heating you mention.

They give 18 hours of cheaper off peak electricity during every 24 hour period for heating/hot water purposes. To do this, meters are wired directly into the heating/hot water circuits at properties.

Within the 18 hours, there's a period where all appliances can be used at the cheaper off peak rates.

Times depend on the particular circumstances at individual properties.

Given the specialist nature of this type of set up, we only have the one tariff available.

Also, customers on these meters aren't eligible for the recent MSE Collective Switch Tariff.

To be able to take other tariffs, the meter would need to be changed to a more conventional single rate or Economy 7 type.

Before doing this, though, I always recommend customers ask a qualified electrician to check over the set up. This is because of the way Economy 18 meters are wired into the heating/hot water circuits. Changing it might have an impact on the heating/hot water and some remedial work may be needed.

We're currently charging £51.06 to change the meter. The cost of the electrician is also down to the customer.

It's good you're keeping your usage down. We might be able to help cut it down a bit more. Have a look at the Saving Energy Toolkit on our website. Some great tips to help you save money by saving energy.

Sorry again for the poor response when you phoned leeruddecology but hope this and my email helps.

Malc

leeruddecology

Thank you Malc, your email response was very detailed and helpful. I think it’svery proactive of Eon to have representatives using such forums. Helps resolve issues escalating.

I think I will leave my meter as it is for the winter period, especially now I have found out that I was paying to much for my standing charge. Whilst my storage rate has gone up I understand this is still lower than most.

I did wonder, my storage rate is slightly higher than my night rate. What rate do I pay for using my heater between 00:30 and 07:30.

Thanks again

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi leeruddecology

Glad my email helped. Just sent another.

Also pleased you like our presence on MSE.

Between 00.30am and 7.30am, usage for heating/hot water going through the dedicated circuits is charged at 9.492p per kWh.

All other usage (washing machines, dishwashers etc) during these times is at 7.361p per kWh.

The price for your heater depends on if it's connected to the dedicated circuits or not.

I've posted some related information on your other thread at the link below.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5109070

Hope this helps leeruddecology. Let me know if you need any more details.

Malc

leeruddecology

Hello all. I've been on the same tarrif as above and my bills have been okay at about £42 p/m. I do wonder about checking prices but as your see above I have an unusual system and I understand that I'm pretty much stuck on my tarrif unless I change my meter, is that right?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Morning leeruddecology.

Yes, things are very much the same as I posted in 2014. We only have the one tariff suitable for Economy 18 meters. You may, though, have seen some other posts on different threads where I've been talking about forthcoming changes to many of the complex meters, like yours, that we support. Don't worry, there are no immediate plans to phase out Economy 18 but I thought it might be of interest to let you have a bit of information as it's something that we could look at down the line.

All meters have a limited shelf life. To make sure they're safe and accurate, we look to replace them every so often. The actual lifespan depends on the type of meter and manufacturer. We are, though, looking to gradually phase out many Restricted Hour Tariff meters (where there are a number of hours at cheaper off peak prices in each 24 hour period). It may be, when your meter reaches the end of its shelf life or possibly earlier if it becomes faulty, we'll offer a choice of different alternatives. These are Economy 10, Economy 7 or single rate.

I suspect Economy 10 is most similar to your current set up. Like Economy 18, they're designed mainly for all electric properties with specific types of electrical heating and hot water arrangements. These meters give 10 hours of lower off peak electricity in three set periods at night, in the afternoon and during the evening. Here, all electricity used during these 10 hours is charged at the lower prices.

Economy 7 meters also work with electrical heating but these only give 7 hours at off peak prices and all at night. Single rate meters are usually of interest where customers no longer have electrical heating. The benefit with Economy 7 and single rate is that there are more tariffs available both with us and with the other suppliers. Whereas, Economy 10 is again restricted to the one tariff.

As I say, you don't need to think about this now. If we do go down this route, we'll be in touch well before anything needs to be done. There's no charge for these replacements. I've asked the section dealing with changes to complex meter set ups if there are any specific plans for Economy 18. I'll update this thread once I know more.

Hope this is of interest leeruddecology.

Malc

teeya

hello leeruddecology,
i am new here but i read your post so according to this my bills have been okay because I've been on the same tariff as above and

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

As I say, you don't need to think about this now. If we do go down this route, we'll be in touch well before anything needs to be done. There's no charge for these replacements. I've asked the section dealing with changes to complex meter set ups if there are any specific plans for Economy 18. I'll update this thread once I know more.

Hope this is of interest leeruddecology.

Malc

As promised, a quick update leeruddecology. I've heard back from the section dealing with replacing certain complex meters like the older Economy 10 (3 rate), Heatwise, Restricted Hour Tariff etc. As I mentioned yesterday, there are no immediate plans to replace Economy 18 meters with an alternative. This might not always be the case though. As meter technology changes, it's likely this situation will be reviewed although nothing to worry about now. As above, we'll be in touch well before any proposed changes are put in place.

I'll keep this thread in my diary and let you know if anything changes with our Economy 18 set ups. Hope this helps leeruddecology.

Malc

Richie-from-the-Boro

leeruddecology,

Its anyone's guess what total kWh you will use in a year. Your target should be to aim for a minimum of 50/50% day/night distribution. I would plan for the £52pm to substantially increase in the winter, the way to understand it is 52÷12= your monthly budgeted repayment, you pay the same amount each month which builds a cash reserve in the winter. Regarding 'best tariff', buried in your online account will be their disclosure of your cheapest available own tariff - look for it and check it - its not always made obvious to you. Best of luck.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

teeya wrote: »

hello leeruddecology,
i am new here but i read your post so according to this my bills have been okay because I've been on the same tariff as above and

Hello teeya and welcome to the Forums.

Hope my posts above about Economy 18 meters have been of some interest. I know these meters are somewhat rare (only found in the Eastern Electricity Distribution area) and customers may not have come across them before. Let me know if you've any particular question that I might not have covered in this thread. Always happy to help.

Malc