New Home - Restrictive electricity metering

SpicyRicey

Hi all,

Looking for some advice. I've recently moved into my first flat and have inherited Eon as an energy supplier. I planned to do some shopping around for a new provider but I've since found out that I'm on a very specific tariff due to the way the meters are set up. It's called energy comfort plus and doesn't appear on price comparison sites and is offered by very few suppliers. Apparently I have a daily standing charge of 21p on one meter and 13p on the other followed by a usage cost of 13.5 for one meter and 8.1 for the other. It's so confusing! I've been in the property for 5 days and already I've used £18 in electricity. Surely I can get a better deal than this even if it means paying a fee to have the meter converted to economy 7?

Any help/advice would be really appreciated!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi SpicyRicey and welcome to the Forums. Hope the move went well and you're settling in to your new flat. Thought I'd pop on with a bit of information about your meter. There's quite a lot so I'd make a cuppa and put your feet up whilst you read.

It looks like you have Comfort Extra Control metering. This is unique to Scotland and is also known as Weathercall. It's designed mainly for properties with electrical heating like storage heaters and water immersion heaters. They provide electricity at a cheaper rate at certain times during every 24 hours. To work, the meter will be wired directly into controlled heating/water heating circuits at the flat. This circuit is energised at particular times of the day at the discretion of Scottish Power (the electricity distributor for the area). This is for a total of between 0 and 14 hours. The times are chosen by Scottish Power on the basis of the forecasted weather conditions expected the following day. The intention is for customers to be able to leave their storage heaters on with the charge controllers set to maximum. This is to achieve a constant daily average indoor temperature in each heated room. Similarly, the water heating is energised for a total of 4.5 hours.

All electricity going through these controlled circuits is charged at a lower off peak rate. Electricity used for other purposes, including any space and water heating not going through the dedicated circuits, will be charged at a higher peak rate.

Weathercall uses radio controlled tele-switching to provide the right amount of electricity based on the prevailing weather conditions. At around 4pm each day, forecast temperatures and wind speeds are received at the Scottish Power Grid Control Centre from the Meteorological Office. This is used to programme radio tele-switches which, in turn control the availability of electricity to the heaters/water heaters.

Given the specialist nature of this type of metering, we only have the one tariff available and it sounds like this is the one you're on. It also looks as though you're on lower daily standing charges for paying with a Monthly Direct Debit. There's also a discount of £5 per fuel per year for registering with our website for paperless billing.

It's certainly possible to change the meter for a more conventional type like Economy 7. This will give you access to more tariffs both with us and with the other suppliers. I always recommend customers ask a qualified electrician to check over the set up before doing this as, given the current wiring, changing the meter may have implications for their heating/water heating. The cost of the electrician is down to the customer.

At the moment, we're looking to replace certain models of meter like the one you describe with a more conventional type. If you fall into this group, you'll be receiving a letter within the next couple of weeks offering a free replacement. There's a phone number where you can talk to one of our specialists to see what alternative best suits your circumstances. If you're not in this group, there's currently a charge of £64.76 to change meters.

If you haven't already, make sure we know you've moved in so an account can be set up and letters like the one I've mentioned reach you. We've a Home Moves team who'll be happy to help. Contact details are on our website and there's also an online form you can use if you prefer not to phone. Meter readings would be great.

Sorry for rambling on SpicyRicey but hope this is useful. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

SpicyRicey

Hi Malc,

Thanks for getting back to me and for all you the detail you've given around this type of meter. This has really helped me gain a better understanding of how I should use the electricity.

I think I'd still like to change the meter so I can secure a better deal either with Eon or another supplier. I set my Eon account up the day I moved, is there a number I can call to see if the meter can be changed free of charge? Also is the conventional meter you mentioned a Smart meter?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

You're welcome SpicyRicey. Glad the information was useful and helped you understand the meter a bit more. MSE don't like me posting phone numbers, email addresses or website links on the open forum but, if you drop an email to the address in my Profile, I'll be happy to let you have the details.

When making your decision on changing the meter, I'd suggest checking out how much electricity you're using during the off peak times. Multi-rate meters like Weathercall and Economy 7 are only cost effective if a significant amount of electricity is used during the off peak times. The actual amount needed depends on the region, total usage and prices.

I know you've not long moved in but taking meter readings regularly will help. Start by taking them daily for a week and then weekly for a month. It'll help build up a picture of the ongoing usage so you can decide on the type of meter that'll best suit your circumstances. Don't forget, too, about the possible implications for your heating/hot water of going from your current meter to a different type.

We're rolling out Smart Meters across the country at the moment but they're not available everywhere yet. It depends on things like the area, strength of the mobile phone signal and the current metering set up. You'll certainly be offered one if they're available. It's only an offer though. It's up to you if you take it up.

Look forward to hearing from you SpicyRicey and have a good weekend.

Malc