Why am I Denied a Standard Tariff?

Kenman

I have a digital electricity meter that displays Day Usage, Night Usage, and Total Usage. My night consumption is 18% of the total.
When I reviewed tariffs a couple of years ago, I decided that an Economy 7 tariff was not cost-effective for me, so I filled out the application form for the supplier (can't remember who) for a single-rate tariff.
A couple of weeks later, I received an email from the company telling me I couldn't have this tariff because I had an Economy 7 meter.
I rang to protest, and told them they didn't even have to add two numbers together to obtain the total consumption, but they wouldn't budge and I'm still stuck on Economy 7.
I checked my estimated bills on Martin's Energy Club last night, and was surprised that it didn't come back with a message saying I shouldn't be on economy 7 at all.
Am I missing something?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Kenman wrote: »

I have a digital electricity meter that displays Day Usage, Night Usage, and Total Usage. My night consumption is 18% of the total.
When I reviewed tariffs a couple of years ago, I decided that an Economy 7 tariff was not cost-effective for me, so I filled out the application form for the supplier (can't remember who) for a single-rate tariff.
A couple of weeks later, I received an email from the company telling me I couldn't have this tariff because I had an Economy 7 meter.
I rang to protest, and told them they didn't even have to add two numbers together to obtain the total consumption, but they wouldn't budge and I'm still stuck on Economy 7.
I checked my estimated bills on Martin's Energy Club last night, and was surprised that it didn't come back with a message saying I shouldn't be on economy 7 at all.
Am I missing something?

Two years ago? Why not try again, contacting more than one company this time. One of them might be prepared to re-meter you, after which you could switch to your preferred company.

dogshome

Some suppliers will bill a 'Standard' Elec tariff by adding the Night/Day readings together
Some suppliers will change the ECO7 meter for a standard one, for free
Other suppliers will change the meter, but make a charge for it

Best bet is to ring round suppliers asking what their policy is and Switch to one who will swap the meter for free - Doesn't matter if they have expensive tariffs because as soon as the meter is changed, you can Switch to another supplier

tripled

Going back a number of years, I recall BG bringing in a policy that if you wanted to be billed at the standard rate, you would have your meter changed to a standard one. I don't think they applied it retrospectively to existing customers and don't know if it's still in force. However, the reasoning was customers on standard tariffs with an E7 meter cost more than those on a standard meter.

As mentioned above, you could try a alternative suppliers, or you could get your meter changed.

Kenman

But why would any company insist on having to change the meter (probably at the customer's expense) when the existing meter already shows the total consumption?
This feels like a con trick to keep customers on the more expensive Economy 7 Tariff.

matelodave

Because they can and they do it's not a con it's just the way they work.

We all know that it's daft and it's not rocket science but if you want it changed then you've got to put some effort into finding out which suppliers will add the two numbers or who will swap the meter out for free otherwise you'll get charged for the swap.

You would be better getting the meter swapped then you'll have the opportunity to go to any supplier, if you go down the adding up route you'll be in the same situation next time you want to swap

Carrot007

Kenman wrote: »

But why would any company insist on having to change the meter (probably at the customer's expense) when the existing meter already shows the total consumption?
This feels like a con trick to keep customers on the more expensive Economy 7 Tariff.

It's because it should not be done that way. eg "It's just a hack and asking for later trouble".

The meter operator has to show what meter is indeed on site so do not change their details and still show e7.

The company does a bodge on their billing system if it supports it.

Later on you change supplier and start moaning when you are being charged e7 again.

Or something worse.

In some situation a e7 meter is expected to trigger storage heaters etc to tell them they are on the cheap and can go on. Obviously then you need work to your side of the wiring as a meter change will no longer provide this.

There are a lot of potential pitfalls.

Hopefully this will be less of a problem ongoing as smart meters should be reprogrammable.

ChumpusRex

Kenman wrote: »

But why would any company insist on having to change the meter (probably at the customer's expense) when the existing meter already shows the total consumption?
This feels like a con trick to keep customers on the more expensive Economy 7 Tariff.

Because the meter determines how your electricity supplier accounts for the electricity on the national electricity market.

This means that when your electricity supplier accounts for your electricity usage in the electricity they took from the national grid, if you have a day/night meter, your supplier has to pay the power stations based on day/night readings, and is not allowed to just add the numbers together when they settle their accounts.

Technically, that doesn't stop them adding the numbers an billing you on a single rate - and some electricity suppliers will do that. Not all will, as it usually ends up more expensive for them. This is why most will insist on a meter change.

[Deleted User]

Eon and BG and I think EDF will use the total on an eco 7 and BG will prob change the meter for free. Eco 7 is not needed for people with Gas c.h. so the best bet is to get a single rate meter only then you can switch to the much cheaper suppliers(Extra Energy ) offering electric as low as 9.8pkwhr in my area of S.Yorks

molerat

Carrot007 wrote: »

It's because it should not be done that way. eg "It's just a hack and asking for later trouble".

The meter operator has to show what meter is indeed on site so do not change their details and still show e7.

The company does a bodge on their billing system if it supports it.

Later on you change supplier and start moaning when you are being charged e7 again.

Or something worse.

In some situation a e7 meter is expected to trigger storage heaters etc to tell them they are on the cheap and can go on. Obviously then you need work to your side of the wiring as a meter change will no longer provide this.

There are a lot of potential pitfalls.

Hopefully this will be less of a problem ongoing as smart meters should be reprogrammable.

And meanwhile back in the real world :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Do you really expect the suppliers to manage to do something that simple without fouling it up. The whole industry needs a shake up from top to bottom, including that waste of space OFGEM, with a few licences being ripped up !!

[Deleted User]

Kenman - you are correct in thinking that at 18% night use you will not benefit from Economy 7 so your only option is to use a supplier who will add the two readings together or get the meter changed (as in the posts above). If anything is connected to the night time circuit only then those items would have to be rewired at the meter/consumer unit position - a fairly simple and quick job for an electrician.