Electric metres, forced to use Npower.

youngbuck88

My mum has 2 meters, one economy 7, and another normal daytime meter.

For years she's tried to change electric suppliers and failed. The latest company were Sainsbury's who offered her a cheap deal, only for there to be ' some confusion ' after hearing nothing for several weeks. In fact, she's even been compensated before from another company, for someone falsely suggesting they ' can ' supply to the specific meter setup we have and getting her to join. ( assuming for the commission ).

Essentially it's as though no one else can supply to the house and she's stuck with Npower current who have said they will install a new single meter, but aren't rushing themselves about it ( well, of course they wouldn't ).

Is this even legal ? I thought she should be able to change supplier to who she what's, not be bound to a certain supplier due to the hardware at the property ?

Is there anything she can say to Npower to give them a nudge and get them to change the meter setup, in order for her to have free reign on what supplier she uses ?

Cheers.

spiro

On your mother's bill are there 1 or 2 S numbers? What is the name of the tariff she is on (exactly)?

Gwyn_Richard

I'm in a similar position. EDF Energy tells me I can't switch due to having 4 meters (EDF#134); Npower tells your mother she can't switch because of her 2 meters (#1 above).
Here is part of the text received from a prospective supplier:-

"I have looked on the national database for your property and have discovered the current supplier is EDF Energy. I have also discovered that your property has two MPAN numbers meaning that they are Related.
We, as a company, are currently unable to provide related meters/MPAN’s so we are not able to provide your electricity.
I apologise for any inconvenience caused by this issue. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch."

youngbuck88

spiro wrote: »

On your mother's bill are there 1 or 2 S numbers? What is the name of the tariff she is on (exactly)?

Not sure I'd have to check pal.

footyguy

youngbuck88 wrote: »

Not sure I'd have to check pal.

Doesn't sound like E7 to me...

If I'm correct, then she won't be able to switch supplier or tarff and attempting to do so will only end in tears.

She's actually probably already on a stonking good deal anyway.

macman

youngbuck88 wrote: »

My mum has 2 meters, one economy 7, and another normal daytime meter.

For years she's tried to change electric suppliers and failed. The latest company were Sainsbury's who offered her a cheap deal, only for there to be ' some confusion ' after hearing nothing for several weeks. In fact, she's even been compensated before from another company, for someone falsely suggesting they ' can ' supply to the specific meter setup we have and getting her to join. ( assuming for the commission ).

Essentially it's as though no one else can supply to the house and she's stuck with Npower current who have said they will install a new single meter, but aren't rushing themselves about it ( well, of course they wouldn't ).

Is this even legal ? I thought she should be able to change supplier to who she what's, not be bound to a certain supplier due to the hardware at the property ?

Is there anything she can say to Npower to give them a nudge and get them to change the meter setup, in order for her to have free reign on what supplier she uses ?

Cheers.

Only a very limited no. of suppliers support dual metering systems such as E10/Heatwise, so switching to another supplier will require a meter change. Which is you need to confirm the exact tariff and metering she currently has.

sheffield_lad

You have not mentioned what type of heating your mum has?

Is it electric under floor or electric warm air?

If so you could be making a mistake by having the meter removed as E7 will not provide enough hours to make either of these systems work correctly as they both require an afternoon boost.

nPower

youngbuck88 wrote: »

My mum has 2 meters, one economy 7, and another normal daytime meter.

For years she's tried to change electric suppliers and failed. The latest company were Sainsbury's who offered her a cheap deal, only for there to be ' some confusion ' after hearing nothing for several weeks. In fact, she's even been compensated before from another company, for someone falsely suggesting they ' can ' supply to the specific meter setup we have and getting her to join. ( assuming for the commission ).

Essentially it's as though no one else can supply to the house and she's stuck with Npower current who have said they will install a new single meter, but aren't rushing themselves about it ( well, of course they wouldn't ).

Is this even legal ? I thought she should be able to change supplier to who she what's, not be bound to a certain supplier due to the hardware at the property ?

Is there anything she can say to Npower to give them a nudge and get them to change the meter setup, in order for her to have free reign on what supplier she uses ?

Cheers.

Hello youngbuck88

Thanks for your post regarding your mother’s electricity supply.

It sounds like your mother has an Economy 10 meter and not all energy suppliers offer Economy 10 plans. She would need to contact her preferred supplier directly to discuss a switch.

We would be more than happy to arrange an appointment to install a single rate meter. She can contact us via email and the email address can be found on our profile page. If she can send the email for my attention that would be great!

Thanks
Laura

Bark01

EDF offer Economy 10 and Economy 10 H&P but only in certain regions.

Grabs39

Does her heating and hot water 'top up' in the afternoon? Does the property have two circuits (and two consumer units - the boxes with lots of switches that trip if something goes wrong)? If so she may be on an economy 10 meter which will limit the suppliers she can go through.

We were on one and stuck with Npower as a result - an absolute nightmare - they wouldn't allow us to update readings so we're on estimated bills between the times they would send someone out to check the meter

I would be very very very careful about gig through the route of putting a normal meter in though - check with the manufacturer of the heaters and hot water system as they may not work correctly if you do this (not that I believe nopower would bother to tell you this...)