How to move tariff and ditch Economy 7 at same time

bjorn_toby_wilde

Hi all

The Cheap Energy Club tells me that I can save a good chunk of money by moving to an E-on fixed deal. I'd like to switch but at the moment I'm on an Economy 7 tariff with EDF. I use about 30% of my electricity at night so I doubt if Economy 7 is right for me.

My meter was changed about two years ago to a version which shows day, night and a figure for total electricity so I doubt I will need a new meter.

My question is how I make both changes. If I just click the link on the Cheap Energy Club page I suspect it will switch me to an E-on Economy 7 tariff then it might be difficult to change this fixed contract to standard (non E7) charging. Options are

1. Change from Economy 7 then switch to E-on afterwards
2. Switch to E-on then try to get off Economy 7
3. Or is there a way to do it all in one go?

matelodave

Generally you can't do it in one go.

I think EDF is one of the suppliers who will swap your meter for free (BG is the other one). Most of the rest will charge you £60 or thereabouts so you might be better off getting the meter swapped with EDF first and going onto one of their single rate tariffs.

You may not actually have a physical meter swap - mine was reprogrammed to single rate working but for it to work properly and to allow you to swap suppliers in the future your meter has to be registered as a single rate meter on the national database.

Most suppliers wont add the two rates or just use the totaliser - it has to be done correctly otherwise you'll get aggro in the future.

topicalcat

Flow Energy who did well last year and was recommended for me by the Cheap Energy Club have just launched their new fixed tarriff to march 2016. I am still on their fixed tarriff till this August but do see that their new tariff

http://www.flowenergy.uk.com/home-energy/our-tariffs/

This does not cater for economy seven users so would suit uou, they say they will aggregate the day and night readings. I suppose the Cheap energy club will get round to researching this new tarriff. It is designed to go with their new micro generation central heating boiler which generates electricity however I think the tarriff is open to all. Flow did quite well in the latest Which magazine survey of energy companies. So no need to swap ypur meter if you go with Flow, worth a look

footyguy

bjorn_toby_wilde wrote: »

Hi all

The Cheap Energy Club tells me that I can save a good chunk of money by moving to an E-on fixed deal. I'd like to switch but at the moment I'm on an Economy 7 tariff with EDF. I use about 30% of my electricity at night so I doubt if Economy 7 is right for me....

Avoid the doubt and use the comparison site to allow you to make an informed decision

Whilst not all suppliers will allow you a single rate supply on a dual rate meter, the good news is that Eon is one supplier that will.
(But as you suggest, if you try to do it via a comparison site, then you may get an E7 tariff - so best to contact them directly)

Alternatively, if you are sure you will want a single rate tariff in the future whoever you decide to place the supply business with, then maybe ask EDF to change the meter for you whilst you are still their customer, as they are one supplier that does not charge for such a change (many suppliers will charge you about £50)

footyguy

matelodave wrote: »

...I think EDF is one of the suppliers who will swap your meter for free (BG is the other one). ..

You are correct about EDF, but I believe BG do charge to change the meter in such circumstances - at least they used to.

bjorn_toby_wilde

Thanks folks

Some very good advice here.

I'm going back to the comparison site to try a comparison for a non E7 tariff and I'm going to contact E-on direct for their view. I'd like to get the cashback via the comparison site but in the long run it may be less aggro to go direct to E-on.