Economy 7 - More expensive then non E7 tariffs?

Alex32

Messing around and checking on all the main price comparison sites, I've notice that by ticking Economy 7; the tariffs are somewhat more expensive then non E7 tariffs?

I understand E7 tariffs may be good for some people but is there any real reason for this?
or does everything depends on how much you actually use.
(I do have E7 meter myself )

Cardew

Over the years the price of E7 against 'normal' non E7 24/7 tariffs has varied hugely.


The advantage/disadvantage of E7 over non E7 tariffs is gauged by the percentage of off-peak electricity used. During the days of tier prices(as opposed to a daily standing charge) this used to be roughly 30% to break even; however this percentage has varied.


There have even been times when the peak-rate charges were actually cheaper than the non E7 rate.

davietich

E7 is basically only used if you have storage heaters, even then the heaters cool down before the next boost. If you have not got storage heating you are much better on a standard tariff.

A._Badger

davietich wrote: »

E7 is basically only used if you have storage heaters, even then the heaters cool down before the next boost. If you have not got storage heating you are much better on a standard tariff.

Not necessarily. I have carefully checked my bills and am better off using economy 7, even though I don't have storage radiators.

There are no blanket rules. You simply have to work it out on an individual basis.

Alex32

Thanks for info everyone, it's been really useful. Just need to work out if we're better off on E7 or not.

macman

Any comp site will tell you that in seconds. Put your total kWh usage in first using single rate, then repeat selecting E7 and entering your percentage split or kWh usage on day and night rate, which is on your annual statement.
Job done.
For most people, E7 only works with NSH's and an immersion heater, but there are exceptions.

lstar337

davietich wrote: »

E7 is basically only used if you have storage heaters, even then the heaters cool down before the next boost. If you have not got storage heating you are much better on a standard tariff.

Don't talk nonsense!

1. Not only if you have storage heaters, you can make it work other ways too. For example, if you have solar panels then you will use less peak electricity from the grid and will have a better night/day percentage. Also you can make it work if you time your appliances to work in the E7 hours. The key is that you keep you E7 percentage high enough to make it work. This is much easier with NSH and hot water, but they are not required! A few people on here make E7 work for them without NSH's.

2. The heaters only cool down because they are heating the living space. Some people seem to be obsessed with keeping the heat in the heater (not sure why), even when they are designed to release heat slowly to stop the rooms getting cold. If they run out of heat before the evening period when you need it then you are either using them wrong (quite common) or they are undersized for the space they are trying to heat and its level of heat retention.

3. In most cases you are better off on single rate if you don't have storage heating, but as I have shown above it is not quite that simple.

cranford

I have E7 and my use has been about 33% used for hot water, washing machine and tumble dryer. I have recently stopped using the tumble dryer in sleeping hours for safety reasons.
So I was surprised to find that AVRO Energy's tariffs for E7 use the same rate for night and day. This rate is 4p down per day unit compared with the best rate available from my present supplier. So for me this works fine and I am switching to them. I may even be able to heat my hot water a few times a day but for a shorted period to save a bit more.

davietich

Time your appliances to work in the E7 hours, when you are sleeping!!! Hmmm, I personally would not be happy timing appliances overnight, purely on a safety basis ( especially with the whirlpool recall at present) just to try and save a few pounds. In Northern Scotland SSE developed a new system 'THTC' which gave an early evening boost for storage heaters mainly due to customer complaints re. their heaters being cold in the evening when they needed them most. ( we must all be using them incorrectly up here). The THTC system unfortunately appears to be more expensive than E7

lstar337

davietich wrote: »

Time your appliances to work in the E7 hours, when you are sleeping!!! Hmmm, I personally would not be happy timing appliances overnight, purely on a safety basis ( especially with the whirlpool recall at present) just to try and save a few pounds.

Did it for years and not dead, but yes I wouldn't do it with one of the affected tumble dryers.

davietich wrote: »

In Northern Scotland SSE developed a new system 'THTC' which gave an early evening boost for storage heaters mainly due to customer complaints re. their heaters being cold in the evening when they needed them most. ( we must all be using them incorrectly up here). The THTC system unfortunately appears to be more expensive than E7

Or they are incorrectly sized for the properties. One or the other.

davietich

It is a lot colder up North here mind. lol