British Gas economy 7

lucadobe

My elderly mum we have just discovered is on economy 7 even though she has ordinary radiators..apparently this meter was from previous homeowners and she wasn't aware she was on 2 tariffs for her electricity low and normal...she never checks things! However , British Gas are changing her meter to ordinary one...and she'll be on standard tariff they wouldn't give us any details of the cheapest offer they have up and running...but we are for the time going ahead with the change and later we will be able to change energy suppliers..has anyone any information for this economy 7 on ordinary radiators as this E7 is usually for storage radiators..

victor2

Economy 7 can be useful even if you don't have storage heaters, but it is less likely to be a benefit. You would have to ensure equipment such as dishwashers and washing machines ran at night during the cheap rate. If you have the option of gas heated hot water or a tank with an immersion heater, you can turn off the gas boiler in the summer and just use the immersion heater on a timer to run during the economy 7 cheap rate. However, you would want a gas tariff with no standing charge to benefit from doing that, and they are few and far between now...

[Deleted User]

Visit Moneysavingexperts comparison website for full details of all tariffs. You will be going onto a standard tariff to begin with which is usually the most expensive. A one year fixed price tariff is much cheaper. My advice is to stick with good old reliable British Gas and switch to Sainsburys Energy on a dual fuel fix rather than go to any of the slightly cheaper suppliers.I collected £30 cashback from the Cheaper energy club

lucadobe

Yes we were thinking of doing that as we ourselves are with sainsburys...she will be on the standard BG tariff when they change the meter on Monday at least then afterwards we can choose...BG admitted that the economy 7 is for people out at work as all day hence the 2 tariff rates...the rates are different for daytime and evening...but she is home all day ..

Biscuit_Tin

lucadobe wrote: »

My elderly mum we have just discovered is on economy 7 even though she has ordinary radiators..apparently this meter was from previous homeowners and she wasn't aware she was on 2 tariffs for her electricity low and normal...she never checks things! However , British Gas are changing her meter to ordinary one...and she'll be on standard tariff they wouldn't give us any details of the cheapest offer they have up and running...but we are for the time going ahead with the change and later we will be able to change energy suppliers..has anyone any information for this economy 7 on ordinary radiators as this E7 is usually for storage radiators..

I'm not really sure why your elderly mum is having to wait for a new meter, as I'm sure British Gas are one of the few suppliers that are prepared to supply a single rate tariff to those with an E7 meter.

If your elderly mum wants to transfer to a single rate tariff, she should be able to do so there & then with BG by a simple phone call.

However I would urge you to assist your elderly mum by helping her to consult a comparison site to find the best deal for her, whether that be E7 or a single rate tariff.

Note however that most suppliers will not supply a single rate tariff with an E7 meter, so if after investigation, she still wants a single rate tariff, then depending on which supplier she wants, a replacement meter will probably be required. Whether she switches supplier first (probably to an E7 tariff initially), or gets a new meter first from BG, the choice is hers, but some suppliers wills charge for such an meter change, so check that out too.

Biscuit_Tin

lucadobe wrote: »

...BG admitted that the economy 7 is for people out at work as all day hence the 2 tariff rates...the rates are different for daytime and evening...but she is home all day ..

This makes no sense whatsoever.

Economy 7 gives the customer 7 hours of (usually overnight) cheap electricity.

I would urge you again to carefully check that switching to a single rate tariff that does not provide the opportunity for any chaep rate electricity is the best option for your elderly mother, by consulting a comparison site.

I feel sure that when you do so, you will see just how expensive British Gas are compared to what else is available, whether that be single rate or E7.

But be quick, with a meter change now due to take place on Monday, your elderly mother may be severely restricting her options.

[Deleted User]

British Gas and a few other suppliers can bill single rate, but most can t so its a good idea to be rid of the Eco 7 meter so she can be free to pick what supplier she fancies. It is very possible to make Eco 7 work cheaper than single rates if you re prepared to diligently target the cheap 7 hours for heavy use appliances, ironing, drying , immersion water heating and beat the approx 30% night rate usage Not so good if her 7 hrs falls inconveniently between 12.30 am to 7. 30 am in the dead of night. If your mum has an old analogue 24 hr timer switch the cheap 7 hour slot could well be in the early evening or anywhere in the 24 hrs. As Biscuit Tin says, its worth running through her usage figures through a comp site just to see if Eco 7 is in fact a better bet.You need accurate up to date night rate usage which does nt include storage heating as the old meter will maybe have many years storage heating units on it.