Stuck with an economy 7 meter

footyguy

macman wrote: »

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But, if the metering is unsuitable for E7 (i.e. no NSH's or an immersion heater) then have you discussed it with your LL and asked to get it changed? You'd be doing him a favour long term, as running costs will be lower. He may be completely unaware that it is unsuitable.

We have no electric immersion heater or NSH.
Does this make E7 unsuitable for us too?
We use about 25% at low rate (which isn't great, but isn't bad either since we are supplied with low rate electricity over 29% of each and every day).

Should we do ourself a favour and get a single rate meter?

Because when I look at comparison sites, it tells me it'll end up costing more (about 3%) for the cheapest single rate tariff compared to the cheapest E7 tariff.

(In fact, it's not been unknown to see some E7 daytime rates actually being cheaper than the equivilent single rate tariff)

We too were totally unaware E7 was unsuitable for us.
And to be honest, still don't understand why.
Anyone care to explain?

victor2

E7 can be suitable for people without NSH. It just requires them to make the extra effort to use as much of their electricity consumed during the cheap rate AND to be sure they know when that is on their particular supply.
If there were a practical and affordable method of storing electricity for later use, we'd all be able to benefit from E7 by topping up our "batteries" during the cheap rate and using them for our supply during the higher rate.

matelodave

We are all electric, including our heating but as it's a heatpump it runs virtually all day but at reduced power overnight.

I've done a few calculations and if I could persuade my wife to do the washing, drying, ironing and vacuum cleaning between around midnight and 7 am I reckon we could possibly save a few bob if we went onto an E7 tariff.

However, as she's somewhat reluctant, we are better off on a single rate tariff

Autumnella

11.6p per kWh for the day rate is a really good price. It's around what many suppliers charge for all units on a standard rate meter. Going off the consumption you've used above over 3 days you're using more energy on the night rate so surely you're better off on an E7 tariff?

MSE usernames are case sensitive, btw, so if you're putting a lowercase o at the beginning it will say your username doesn't exist.

okigen

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the advice. I think I can stick with Isupply 11.6p for now.

By the way, if the heater is 3.4w, does that mean it will use 3.4kw per hour?

sillygoose

The good thing about E7 meter is its pretty clear from the 2 readings how much you use day and night, the off peak period is quite late and can be a variable time on some systems making using it tricky to use generally (storage heaters are usually on a separate circuit activated by the night switchover so not a problem).

From the comments it suits some of course but its doesn't benefit most people without storage heaters, we found we could only use 15% during the night rate.

Its actually quite difficult, the washing machine can be set to run late but don't have time in the morning to sort out the laundry and A++ machine on low temperature wash is pretty low consumption anyway. I wouldn't go to bed with a tumble dryer running for safety and I am not going to start baking at 1am! We have gas water and central heating.

I have just switched to GB Energy who had no problem with my E7 meter on a single rate and and their website lets me enter both readings, charging me 10.027p/kWh for both periods on a fixed rate.

okigen

Hi Sillygoose,

10p sounds quite good! How is your experience with GB so far?

Autumnella

If the heater is 3.4kw, it will use 3.4kW(units) per hour (it's unlikely to be a 3.4w heater).

sillygoose

Okigen wrote: »

Hi Sillygoose,

10p sounds quite good! How is your experience with GB so far?

Very early days yet Okigen to be honest, just done opening meter readings and waiting for old and new suppliers to accept and complete my switch but it seems to all be going smoothly.

I think they are to Energy supply what Giffgaff are to Mobile phones, basic, cheap, simple.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Okigen wrote: »

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the advice. I think I can stick with Isupply 11.6p for now.

By the way, if the heater is 3.4w, does that mean it will use 3.4kw per hour?

A 3.4kW will is capable of absorbing 23.8kWh of charge over the 7 night hours. It will release 2.1kW [2.1 x 7 = 23.8] every hour for 11 hours before its empty. Always have the damper closed, its not needed and certainly not wanted during the night.