overpaying for years on Economy 7

Paulb76_2

Just venting here and unsure whether trying to complain will be any use....
I moved into my property in 2002 it was fitted with an economy 7 meter. I set up an electricity account and gave meter readings to British Gas. At no point when the account was set up was there a discussion if economy 7 would be the right meter and tariff or even if it suited the household.....I just assumed that that was the type of meter fitted in the house.

I have just found out today that I can ask to have the meter exchanged and revert to a single rate meter and this will save me about £100 per year.

I always understood that the meter was a dual rate one but I didn't know that I could have changed it. My usage could not possibily have worked with one. The night storage heaters were removed from my property years before I moved in!

British Gas are now going to exchange the meter, could I ask for the standard tariff to be applied to my previous bills and backdated?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Paulb76 wrote: »

Just venting here and unsure whether trying to complain will be any use....
I moved into my property in 2002 it was fitted with an economy 7 meter. I set up an electricity account and gave meter readings to British Gas. At no point when the account was set up was there a discussion if economy 7 would be the right meter and tariff or even if it suited the household.....I just assumed that that was the type of meter fitted in the house.

I have just found out today that I can ask to have the meter exchanged and revert to a single rate meter and this will save me about £100 per year.

I always understood that the meter was a dual rate one but I didn't know that I could have changed it. My usage could not possibly have worked with one. The night storage heaters were removed from my property years before I moved in!

British Gas are now going to exchange the meter, could I ask for the standard tariff to be applied to my previous bills and backdated?

- happens all the time my friend
- some get good will money - some don't

At no point when the account was set up was there a discussion if economy 7 would be the right meter and tariff or even if it suited the household

- BG would not have the 1st idea if you use leccy, gas, or tea candles for heating

I just assumed that that was the type of meter fitted in the house

- it's your tariff and your responsibility to tell them and sort out the best tariff for your needs - sorry !

[Deleted User]

Hi,

whoever had the storage heaters removed should've notified supplier and had meter changed, unless of course they had a reason for keeping the E7 meter, for water heating, washing, etc, on cheap rate.

BG wouldn't know heaters had been removed.

Robin9

Just because it's a 2-rate meter doesn't necessarily mean that you are on a E7 tariff. Even if you are some suppliers can merge the readings and supply you under a single-rate tariff.

Look back on your bills for the last 12 months, work out your total ACTUAL consumption and use a comparison site

Paulb76_2

HI guys, thanks for your responses.
I understand that choosing the correct tariff is my responsibility, however as it was and has always been a dual rate meter I only thought my only option was to continue with a dual rate tariff whether with British Gas or any other provider :-(
Complaint opened with BG - will see how they respond....

Paulb76_2

Robin9 wrote: »

Just because it's a 2-rate meter doesn't necessarily mean that you are on a E7 tariff. Even if you are some suppliers can merge the readings and supply you under a single-rate tariff.

Look back on your bills for the last 12 months, work out your total ACTUAL consumption and use a comparison site

Unfortunately I have been on an e7 tariff all of the time, I believed that the tariff was restricted by the type of meter installed at the property. British Gas did some calculations yesterday and worked it to be approx. £100 more expensive a year :-(

Cardew

Paulb76 wrote: »

Unfortunately I have been on an e7 tariff all of the time, I believed that the tariff was restricted by the type of meter installed at the property. British Gas did some calculations yesterday and worked it to be approx. £100 more expensive a year :-(

However you are not tied to BG.


Their Economy 7 tariffs are poor, the £100 pa extra on BG might be much less on E7 with another company; or even show a profit.


Many of us with gas CH can save marginally retaining an E7 tariff rather than having a 24/7 tariff.


It is also pertinent to point out that you might get BG to change your meter(at their expense) and then move to another cheaper supplier the next day.

footyguy

Paulb76 wrote: »

Just venting here and unsure whether trying to complain will be any use....
I moved into my property in 2002 it was fitted with an economy 7 meter. I set up an electricity account and gave meter readings to British Gas. At no point when the account was set up was there a discussion if economy 7 would be the right meter and tariff or even if it suited the household.....I just assumed that that was the type of meter fitted in the house.

I have just found out today that I can ask to have the meter exchanged and revert to a single rate meter and this will save me about £100 per year.

I always understood that the meter was a dual rate one but I didn't know that I could have changed it. My usage could not possibily have worked with one. The night storage heaters were removed from my property years before I moved in!

British Gas are now going to exchange the meter, could I ask for the standard tariff to be applied to my previous bills and backdated?

You would have been provided with the tariff you requested.

If you didn't request any specific tariff, you would have been put on the suppliers expensive (standard) tariff according to your current metering.

Your tariff would be stated on each and every bill you received.

footyguy

Paulb76 wrote: »

Unfortunately I have been on an e7 tariff all of the time, I believed that the tariff was restricted by the type of meter installed at the property. British Gas did some calculations yesterday and worked it to be approx. £100 more expensive a year :-(

Consult a comparison site to find the best deal for you.

(Use it twice to compare E7 Vs non-E7 - ignore suggested savings, just look at total annual cost of all the various tariffs)

[Deleted User]

If your bill is showing a day and night tariff you re on eco 7.You can get BG to bill you single rate but it would be far cheaper to do a switch to Sainsburys Energy who have excellent Eco 7 rates.no exit fees because you stay under the British Gas umbrella. Their dual fuel one year fix is one of the best in my area and you can end up paying some of the cheapest electricity in the country with careful usage of the night rate.Sainsburys Energy Eco 7 rates are approx 5p night /12 p day per kwhr in my area

Paulb76_2

Thank you everyone for your information and guidance.

I have heard from British Gas today, they have recalculated my bills back over the last 2 years and a refunding the difference between the dual rate and single standard tariff.

I think I will accept this resolution and will be shopping around for a new supplier as soon as they meter has been switched! (interestingly enough, they are in the meantime billing on a single rate tariff until that happens.

:j