Do Smart Meters control off-peak timing?

Be_Happy

Can anyone tell me if smart meters control the timing of peak/off-peak on E7?

I have a modern 'E7' meter with a separate clock which switches between peak and off-peak. At the moment, in Scotland, we actually get 8 1/2 hours of off-peak my concern is that changing to a smart meter may mean that the supplier now controls the timing and would change to a standard 7 hours off-peak.

I don't understand meter workings, so sorry if this is a stupid question.

HappyMJ

Smart meters record usage every 30 minutes. It's up to the supplier charging you on a time of use tariff to figure out what pricing applies to the time of use.

Smart meter's actually make tariffs much more complex as some tariffs offer free energy on certain days or they might offer a longer off peak period or none at all.

Do you have gas or an alternative source of heat in the property? Do you actually use electric off peak storage heaters? They will only heat for a maximum of 7 hours. After 7 hours they will have reached their maximum capacity. Electric off peak immersion heaters only take a couple of hours to reheat the whole cylinder from cold.

[Deleted User]

So far I have nt seen a smart meter installed by BG which is configured for eco 7..only single rate.

Be_Happy

HappyMJ wrote: »

Do you have gas or an alternative source of heat in the property? Do you actually use electric off peak storage heaters? They will only heat for a maximum of 7 hours. After 7 hours they will have reached their maximum capacity. Electric off peak immersion heaters only take a couple of hours to reheat the whole cylinder from cold.

Thanks HappyMJ.

Having used storage heaters for many years, I make full use of them, percentage off-peak use running at 78% annually. I would question your reference to reaching maximum capacity in 7 hours, though. These heaters use a thermostat which will dictate when they reach required capacity. If I were to raise output at some time during charging, they would continue charging until the end of the E7 timing, in my case 8 1/2 hours. During the total off-peak time, I estimate they actually charge for around half of that time depending on the weather.

As for the immersion heater, in summer our off-peak time switches off at 8.30 am, so I know that all hot water used before then will be reheated at cheap rate until that time.

What I don't understand is whether the existing time control clock will be replaced by supplier control when Smart meters become available for E7.

[Deleted User]

Most modern digital meters have their built in clock set at GMT only ( not BST. They do drift a bit in time, I ve found them as much as 2 hours out. 30 mins out is common. Smart meter built in clock will be very accurate, just like RadioTeleswitch timers and will stick rigidly to the DNOs published low rate in your area . The suppliers do not control these times.
The best timers are the old 24 analogue circular clocks and the 7 hrs cheap rate could actually be anywhere in the 24 hrs not in the inconvenient dead of night.

MeterMan

We (BG) don't fit smart meters where there is an economy 7 meter in place, even if the E7 isn't in use, we still don't exchange from 2 rate to smart.

footyguy

Be_Happy wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if smart meters control the timing of peak/off-peak on E7?

I have a modern 'E7' meter with a separate clock which switches between peak and off-peak. At the moment, in Scotland, we actually get 8 1/2 hours of off-peak my concern is that changing to a smart meter may mean that the supplier now controls the timing and would change to a standard 7 hours off-peak.

I don't understand meter workings, so sorry if this is a stupid question.

It doesn't sound as though you are on E7, but rather on a legacy tariff.

I'm not sure if any supplier is installing smart meters for their customers that are on legacy tariffs.

But speak to your supplier, someone there who specialises in customers on their legacy tariff, and I'm sure they will advise you further

Richie-from-the-Boro

A variation of E10 E7 or in this case E8.5 ComfortPlus [Weathercall] White Meter.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

footyguy wrote: »

It doesn't sound as though you are on E7, but rather on a legacy tariff.

I'm not sure if any supplier is installing smart meters for their customers that are on legacy tariffs.

But speak to your supplier, someone there who specialises in customers on their legacy tariff, and I'm sure they will advise you further

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

A variation of E10 E7 or in this case E8.5 ComfortPlus [Weathercall] White Meter.

Scottish Power E7 in South of Scotland is 11pm - 7.30am, or 12 - 8.30am, see area 18.

Area Area Name Normal E7 off peak times (GMT)

10 Eastern England 23:00 - 07:00

11 East Midlands 00:30 - 07:30

12 London No standard off-peak, but off-peak will normally run for 7 hours at some point from 23:00 - 07:00

13 Merseyside and North Wales 00:30 - 07:30

14 West Midlands 00:00 - 07:00

15 North East England 00:00 - 07:00 or 00:30 - 07:30

16 North West 00:30 - 07:30

17 North Scotland 23:30 - 07:30

18 South Scotland 23:00 - 07:30

19 South East England 22:30 - 00:30 and 02:30 - 07:30

20 Southern England 23:30 - 06:30 or 00:30 - 07:30

21 South Wales Can vary

22 South West Can vary

23 Yorkshire 00:00 - 07:00 or 00:30 - 07:30

Be_Happy

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,





Scottish Power E7 in South of Scotland is 11pm - 7.30am, or 12 - 8.30am, see area 18.

Thanks frugalmacdugal. I've mentioned our 8 1/2 Scottish hours before here, but each time I'm met with disbelief. I've lived in various parts of Scotland and always had these hours. Glad you could confirm.

I've also been on comfortplus in one house and it is a different scheme.