OVO Energy: Separate supply (and Standing Charge) for Storage Heaters

egg651

Hi all,

I'm new here but this website seems like the best place to come with this issue. I recently moved in to a very small flat (rented) which has its energy supplied by OVO Energy. There is no gas supply, with heating being provided via old style storage heaters. Initially, there was some confusion with the billing - I was being billed for a day rate, a night rate, and a third rate which was eventually revealed to be a separate reading for the storage heaters (according to them). For this I have been billed with a separate standing charge with a separate MPAN to that of my normal electricity use, despite there being only one actual meter in the flat. I know storage heaters aren't the most efficient method of heating a house but this has brought the cost of heating such a small flat to a surprising level.

Something seems off to me, but this is my first experience dealing with electricity companies never mind with storage heaters and I thought it best to seek advice from those who might be more knowledgable.

Thanks in advance!

TL;DR: Is it normal for storage heaters to have their own electricity supply and subsequent standing charge?

Robin9

I don't think OVO do a E7 tariff

What may be happening is that you do have a E7 type meter but that the readings are being added together on your bill.

Can you give more details of what is on your bill please?

macman

If there are two MPAN's, then this will be an E10 or Heatwise tariff, but I didn't think Ovo supported such a tariff. There is a separate s/c for each MPAN.
But if so, there should be two meters. Are you sure there is only one meter? if this is a flat, it's possible that the other meter is in a communal area or meter cupboard? Your LL or agent should know.
On the contrary, NSH's are 100% efficient, and by far the cheapest way to heat an all-electric property. Switch to a single rate tariff and you will probably triple your heating costs.

macman

Robin9 wrote: »

I don't think OVO do a E7 tariff

What may be happening is that you do have a E7 type meter but that the readings are being added together on your bill.

Can you give more details of what is on your bill please?

Yes, they do, as do all providers. They don't support E10 however.

egg651

macman wrote: »

If there are two MPAN's, then this will be an E10 or Heatwise tariff, but I didn't think Ovo supported such a tariff. There is a separate s/c for each MPAN.
But if so, there should be two meters. Are you sure there is only one meter? if this is a flat, it's possible that the other meter is in a communal area or meter cupboard? Your LL or agent should know.

There is only one meter I am aware of, the flat has its own entrance to the road and no communal area for another meter. The circuit breaker in the meter cupboard seems to control everything (including the heaters) so I assumed it was all on that one meter. The meter can display three readings, labeled "1", "2" and "Total". There was some discussion with OVO as to what the "Total" reading was as it is not the sum of the other two readings (which are day & night). In the end they came to the conclusion that it was the reading for the storage heaters. I always found this odd, and I will get on to my letting agency/landlord to see if they know anything (though they're usually clueless idiots to be honest).

Thanks for your help, I'll keep this thread updated with any developments.

Edit: One more thing on tariffs, I'm currently on the Better Energy plan inherited from the previous tenant. The meter was originally installed by Scottish Power.

[Deleted User]

The " T " for total may not the sum of the low and night, it may be with a meter which is nt too old but at some time the day or night will "go round the clock " and start again at zero., so you cannot rely on it being a sum of the low/norm. The T for total is a total of kwhrs since meter installed. You have a standard e7 meter. The Ampy meters ( which you may have ) with a button to scroll through the reads will default to show the active rate, so you can see when the cheap rate is in progress and that could be from between 12 am to 8am. Usually rate 1 will = day but not always. I see many rate 2 =day as well.

egg651

sacsquacco wrote: »

The " T " for total may not the sum of the low and night, it may be with a meter which is nt too old but at some time the day or night will "go round the clock " and start again at zero., so you cannot rely on it being a sum of the low/norm. The T for total is a total of kwhrs since meter installed. You have a standard e7 meter. The Ampy meters ( which you may have ) with a button to scroll through the reads will default to show the active rate, so you can see when the cheap rate is in progress and that could be from between 12 am to 8am

Yep, that sounds like the meter I have. I would post a picture but apparently the forum does not allow links?

That makes sense about the total, but then shouldn't the difference in the total reading month to month equal the sum of the difference in the other two readings? Since I moved in, the readings for rate 1 and rate 2 have changed by just under 2000 KWh, while the "Total" reading has changed by almost 3500 KWh. Where's the extra 1500 KWh coming from?

[Deleted User]

Yes, if you have noted the total of the night/day units from a certain time/date,it should equal exactly the same as the T for total units used from that same period.
In the past we have had eco 7 meters not registering units used on either the day/night registers. You can easily rule this out tho. I have seen complaints on here about night rate static whilst the total register is accurate.

egg651

First off sorry for resurrecting this thread after a few days of inactivity.

sacsquacco wrote: »

Yes, if you have noted the total of the night/day units from a certain time/date,it should equal exactly the same as the T for total units used from that same period.
In the past we have had eco 7 meters not registering units used on either the day/night registers. You can easily rule this out tho. I have seen complaints on here about night rate static whilst the total register is accurate.

I have the opposite result - The 'Total' number is going up faster than the other two numbers put together. I have contacted the energy company and they think that the meter has been configured to measure two supplies, with the 'Total' number being repurposed to count the use of the storage heaters. Seems odd to me but I have no knowledge in this field, is that normal? Thanks.

Edit: Some more info, I've identified the meter as a Horstmann Series K Telemeter Type K220M13 as listed on the Secure Together website (I can't post links but Google will find it). That same website talks about a dual element version which it seems I have?

Richie-from-the-Boro

but apparently the forum does not allow links?

oldhenry

I have used OVO for six years and they always have given me an E7 tariff. This should not be an expensive way of heating a flat as long as insulation is good. The storage heaters should be on a separate circuit controlled by a time switch to ensure they operate on the correct tariff time - mine is 1 am to 8 am. Most meters have two separate dials for L and N and an indicator will point to teh one in use at any time. Make sure you are only paying teh night rate for your heaters. OVO have proved a good company for me with excellent administration and keen prices so stick with them for now.