Economy 7 meters

wba31

Hi all

I have just moved house and the new place has an economy 7 meter for the electric. I understand that if i use power overnight it's cheaper than during normal waking hours...

My questions are this;

1) How does the price of electric compare with normal tariffs where the cost is the same 24/7? is the daytime rate the same and nighttime cheaper on economy 7, or does night-time rate on economy 7 work out the same as normal tariffs and daytime work out to be more?

2) is there a way of having the economy 7 meter removed so i can have a standard 24/7 tariff, meaning i wont be obsessed with only doing washing over night and be able to do it when suitable (i have an 8 month old child...)

molerat

1) Night rates are cheaper than normal single rate and day rate is dearer.
2) Your supplier will arrange to have the meter replaced. Some will charge and some will do it FOC.

Depending on your useage pattern E7 can sometimes work out cost effective even without electric heating. It may be worth taking daily reads for a while to establish if it will work for you. The most important point is to be on cheap tariff.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

what type of heating do you have, if electric storage heaters then you're better sticking with E7.

Example of Scottish Power tariffs, Manweb area,

domestic : Daily service charge : 27.39p, unit price: 14.762p, incl vat.

E7 : Dsc : 27.39p, Day : 17.142p, Night : 7.208p, incl vat.

Do a comparison check to find the cheapest.

wba31

Thank you both for your responses.

The heating is a gas central heating system, so will not use the electricity at all. the bulk of our power will be used during waking hours. For the 2 weeks we've been in ive used the washing machine overnight, but thats it. We have a condenser tumble dryer which is maybe used once per fortnight for bedsheets or towels, again if i use it, it goes on overnight. but its inconvenient. To know i could pop it on when im off on a friday, or if my wife needs to do an emergency childs load on the days she doesnt work would be more comforting.

I think we may be better getting the meter changed.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

some suppliers will add the two rates together and bill you for domestic, would save changing meter.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

some suppliers will add the two rates together and bill you for domestic, would save changing meter.

Yes, BG/Sainsburys Energy will total the reads.Excellent low tariff at only 8.3p/kwhr on a Dec 2016 dual fuel fix with Sainsburys Energy ( South Yorks area )

lstar337

wba31 wrote: »

The heating is a gas central heating system, so will not use the electricity at all.

Not technically true as the boiler will use electricity itself, with the pump using the bulk of it.

wba31

lstar337 wrote: »

Not technically true as the boiler will use electricity itself, with the pump using the bulk of it.

I didnt know that

I have arranged a switch to Ovo initially, who were amongst the cheapest for economy 7 and normal tariffs, so once with them will discuss going onto a regular tariff

macman

The electricity used to power the CH pump and ignition circuitry is negligible, although of course the boiler won't run without an electricity supply.
Some people can make E7 pay even with gas CH and DHW, though for most a single rate tariff will make more sense. E7 prices do vary a lot, so do a comp site check using both tariffs to find out the break point, typically around 33% on cheap rate.

Xbigman

The water pump electricity usage is not insignificant, and don't forget the extractor fan also uses electric. On my Worcester system their ratings are 190w and 35w. Both run on after the burner cuts out.
If the boiler runs for 20 mins an hour the electricity using components will run nearer 30 mins an hour. It adds up. Its not enough to make E7 viable with a gas boiler but it does need considering overall.
I've often wondered if it would be cheaper to put a 500w skirting heater in my front room during Spring and Autumn as I only really need to heat the one room to be comfortable. Maybe one day I'll try it.


Darren

Lady321986

Can be cheaper if you use most of your energy at night. Normally night rate is cheap and day rate more expensive (to encourage night use). Normal 'single rate' unit price will be between the two (day/night).

You don't need a meter exchange. Just request single rate billing. They'll amend their systems and just add the two meter readings together but only charge you one 'single unit rate' on your bills.