switching supplier and going E7?

MajicMOLE

Hi Everybody

I am currently with sainsburys for my energy, but as Im on the October 15 fix, its time to switch!

However, Im wanting to go to economy 7. I have an electric car and it makes financial sense as my car charges during the night (about 15-20kw per night)

As im on a standard meter, whats the best way to switch suppliers and switch meters? Should I switch with current supplier, and then move - or move to another supplier and then switch meters? Or can the meter be switched during the move to a new supplier?!

If I was to move and then switch meters, do different suppliers charge different amounts to change meters? And do some of them do this for free? ie could I move to a different supplier that will switch my meter for free rather than to somebody else where I would have to pay!

Hope the above makes sense!

Thanks

modsandmockers

Mole - you obviously have a good understanding of your needs, and I am surprised that you haven't already discussed them with Sainsbury's. The end of your Sainsbury's fix doesn't mean you have to switch suppliers - it's entirely possible that Sainsbury's have a tariff which would suit your purposes very well (as I'm sure you know already). If you have only recently acquired your electric car, then your consumption pattern is as yet unknown. If Sainsbury's will change your meter free of charge, then why look any further? After a year or so, you will be in a much better position to make an informed decision. Suggest to Sainsbury's that you will probably switch supplier if they won't change your meter free of charge.

ps - I think the normal calculation for E7 value is around a 50% split between annual night rate consumption and annual day rate consumption. But my daughter's night-time consumption is only 30% of the total and on her recent switch she should still be better off with Economy7.

[Deleted User]

If Sainsburys Energy, ( thats BG of course ) want too much to install an economy 7 meter as I expect they will, there is always EDF with their 20-20 meter and I believe they install that for free because they have a good chance of having you as a customer for life as no one else supports that meter. It has 12 hrs low and 12 hrs normal. BG are well used to people switching from Eco 7 to single rate ,keep us posted on what BG say about reversing it as I ve considered the option myself.

footyguy

MajicMOLE wrote: »

Hi Everybody

I am currently with sainsburys for my energy, but as Im on the October 15 fix, its time to switch!

However, Im wanting to go to economy 7. I have an electric car and it makes financial sense as my car charges during the night (about 15-20kw per night)

As im on a standard meter, whats the best way to switch suppliers and switch meters? Should I switch with current supplier, and then move - or move to another supplier and then switch meters? Or can the meter be switched during the move to a new supplier?!

If I was to move and then switch meters, do different suppliers charge different amounts to change meters? And do some of them do this for free? ie could I move to a different supplier that will switch my meter for free rather than to somebody else where I would have to pay!

Hope the above makes sense!

Thanks

It's up to you whether or not you first switch supplier, or fisrt change your metering.
(Obviously if you first switch switch supplier, then you will need to go onto their single rate tariff until you get yourself a new meter)

This MSE article explains the cost that the Big 6 apply to change a single rate meter to a dual rate E7 meter
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/economy-7#meterchange (you may need to expand Rule 6 to see the detail)
Generally the Big 6 do not charge.

In regards the smaller, and often cheaper, suppliers, you will need to check individually with that supplier. My guess is that such cheaper suppliers will charge a customer as and when the customer requests a change, since to offer low prices they need to keep their costs low ... and spreading out the cost amongst all customers would not assist in keeping prices low for the other customers.

My advice, for simplicity, would be to ask Sainsbury if they charge to change the meter. If they don't get it done before you switch supplier. If not, ask to transfer to another British Gas tariff (ensure no early exit fees apply to that tariff) and then get a free meter switch. Afterall Sainsbury Energy is just a tariff offered by British Gas.

Then, once you have the E7 meter, switch to the supplier & tariff of your choice

MajicMOLE

Hi everyone- sorry for the lack up updates

Ok so I was going to ask sainsburys in regards to a meter change but their E7 tariffs where no good, and if I was to switch to a new promotion rather than staying on standard rate, I would have been locked in. So either way sainsburys was a no go for me

After checking out the energy saving club to see who was the cheapest in regards to standard and then E7 meter, flow came out on top. So I rang flow. However they charge for a meter, couldn't give me an exact cost as I wasn't a customer but they estimated £80-£120

So then I tried the next cheapest on the list, FU, only about £4 dearer a year compare to flow so nothing major. I then rang them and asked them the same question. They confirmed to me that to change meter with them would be free! Happy days

So I have proceeded with the switch. First of all I would be on a standard meter, and once the switch to them was complete I could then contact them again to arrange my meter to be switched

Looking forward to seeing what savings I can achieve with E7! I currently pay approx £135 for duel fuel with sainsburys (10000kw Gas and 10000kw electricity PA) as obviously at the moment I can only estimate my night time usage