Landlord won't agree to Energy 7 meter

Jmoo

Hi

I mentioned last week I've had a massive bill due to my storage heater, and my energy plan being standard rate. I was advised by SSE to push for a free energy 7 meter to be installed so I can go on the plan.

However, despite SSE saying they'll do this for free, he isn't keen. He says the meter is suitable for the storage heater, and that all other flats are the same.

The thing is it won't cost him, and I've noticed some other flats do have these meters (perhaps they didn't ask first). SSE have since said they'd replace the meter back if I leave too.

Why wouldn't he want it to happen? The storage heater switches in my flat seem to have a peak and off-peak switch, so won't work now to assist with the charging, so I'm not convinced by his reasoning.

CashStrapped

Storage heaters on a standard tariff?

Landlord says the meter is correct for the set-up?

Someone is incorrect...

Can you post the make and model of the storage heater and the type of electric meter you have.

Can you view multiple readouts on the meter by pressing a button, does it show a day and night rate anywhere?

Before we can advise we need to clarify your exact set-up!

Jmoo

CashStrapped wrote: »

Storage heaters on a standard tariff?

Landlord says the meter is correct for the set-up?

Someone is incorrect...

Can you post the make and model of the storage heater and the type of electric meter you have.

Can you view multiple readouts on the meter by pressing a button, does it show a day and night rate anywhere?

Before we can advise we need to clarify your exact set-up!

It is a CREDA TSR18ACW.

It's quite an old school meter from the days of Eastern Electricity - it just gives me one line of digits. I used up about £80 in my first 40 days according to SSE...!

molerat

Are your heaters wired in correctly using a split / 2 consumer units with twin supplies or timers on the heater. If not an E7 supply could be counter productive. If they are wired correctly don't tell him you are fitting an E7 meter.

Jmoo

My heater has two switches on the wall - one has a fuse for peak? the other is a switch which I assume is for offpeak. As per here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storage_heater#/media/File:StorageHeaterTwoPowerSwitches.jpg

molerat

You need to check that it is wired correctly at the fuse box end.

Jmoo

What do you think is wrong with it? Should it still switch on at night on a different circuit?

CashStrapped

It is a combination storage heater. Basically two heaters in one.

A Storage heater for the cheap night rate, and a less powerful standard fan heater ideally used a s a boost, using more expensive standard/day rate.

It may be that the storage heater component has been disabled at he fuse box.

It there anything on the consumer unit/fuse box with a sticker saying "storage heaters"?

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As far as I am aware, the meters are not the property of the landlord. You as a tenant agree a contract with your energy supplier. What tariff they are on is the tenants decision. As long as you return the flat to the state it was in when you rented it, there should not be an issue. If this means swapping the meter back, I do not see why they would have an issue.

Having said that, you need to do the maths to check if storage heaters would be beneficial to you based on when you use most of your heating.

Jmoo

As far as I could see recently the trips were all up in the electricity box. When I switch it on (with the peak switch down) it seems to blow out air quickly like you suggest (perhaps the boost). If I turn the offpeak switch only on it doesn't seem to be doing anything from what I can see. I assumed this was because I needed a different meter to operate that?

Jmoo

I have tried for a second time with the letting agent but this is the reply I get again:

Hi,

Unfortunately the meter’s are not able to be changed. This is because every property in the whole building works of the same meters and heaters. They are more than sufficient. They are tested by EON.

Thank you

CashStrapped

That means nothing in my opinion.

That is like saying, all the neighbours in my street use storage heaters, so I should not be able to change mine.

The fact you have storage heaters and can't use them is ludicrous.

The only caveat may be that in your tenancy agreement it states you can't change the tariff or meter. Read it and if it says nothing ask your agent where in the tenancy it says you can't change them.