Changing from Economy 7

middletom

For many years we have been on an Economy 7 tariff. This year we switched to Extra Energy. Our consumption figures show that we are only using 18% electricity at night, so it’s not economic. Extra Engergy will not replace our meter, and will not allow us to combine our readings and move us to a single tariff . So we are stuck until our present contract expires in 2017. What are our best options? Can we use a different switching service and just ask for a single tariff, or should we ring round other suppliers? Any advice from those who have experienced this problem are welcome.

Bark01

If EE won't replace your meer free and won't total up the conusmption onto a single rate tariff then theres little you can do except pay the cancelation fee and move to someone who will. Will the savings made by swithcing cover your cancleation fee?

EE will have to allow you totla up the consumption at some point. its section 4.53 of teh CMA's suggeted remedies. However there is no timeline for its introdcution

Remedies for customers on restricted meters
4.53 We believe that the above proposed remedies will help customers on any meter type engage effectively in the retail energy markets. Further, to address the specific problems faced by customers on restricted meters in shopping around for better deals and in switching, we propose a set of additional remedies that require all suppliers to make all their single-rate tariffs available to any domestic customers on any type of restricted meter, without making switching conditional on a restricted meter being replaced; and ensure that domestic customers on restricted meters have access to information on the options available to them.

CashStrapped

I would first investigate why you are only using 18% night rate.

Have the storage heaters been removed?

The best option may be to leave EE and pay the penalty and move to one of the big 5 who will usually replace meters, in many cases, at no cost.

First though I would go through your usage and find how much you use per annum. Work out why the night use is so low. You need to be sure of your usage calculations before you remove an e7 meter.

If the sums add up, and you find a competitive single rate tariff, the savings from switching to a single rate tariff may outweigh any penalties EE apply for leaving.

Bark01

A compliant at this point is baseless. EE aren't doing anything wrong.

middletom

Thanks for these replies, especially the tip re the CMA's report - which is due this month. As we are on a very good rate ( and cannot increase our night time usage) we'll wait until our fixed term is up and then go for a single tariff.

Flt._Lt._Biggles

middletom wrote: »

For many years we have been on an Economy 7 tariff. This year we switched to Extra Energy. Our consumption figures show that we are only using 18% electricity at night, so it’s not economic. Extra Engergy will not replace our meter, and will not allow us to combine our readings and move us to a single tariff . So we are stuck until our present contract expires in 2017. What are our best options? Can we use a different switching service and just ask for a single tariff, or should we ring round other suppliers? Any advice from those who have experienced this problem are welcome.

You are not stuck with any supplier. It'll cost you a maximum of £30 to get out of the contract you willingly entered. (and switch supplier)
... and you might even get 50+% of that back in the form of cashback if you follow the advice given on this site but it may be risky due to your specific circumstances
i.e. don't just apply for a single rate tariff via a comaprison site when you have a dual rate meter, and hope to receive that single rate tariff
The odd supplier may oblige, but most certainly won't unless you speak to them.

Not many suppliers will supply a single rate tariff on an E7 meter anyway, but most suppliers that won't will arrange to change the meter if requested.
Some suppliers may charge for this (typically about £50 where applied)

Flt._Lt._Biggles

middletom wrote: »

...( and cannot increase our night time usage) ...

Cannot or will not? :cool:

Flt._Lt._Biggles

Bark01 wrote: »

... CMA's suggeted remedies. However there is no timeline for its introdcution..

middletom wrote: »

Thanks for these replies, especially the tip re the CMA's report - which is due this month. ...

Sounds like you already know more than the regulars here...

Or are you a former regular in a previous life?

:cool:

CashStrapped

As per my initial post.

Why can you not increase your night usage? You have not explained why.

Have the storage heaters been removed?

If they haven't, and you actually use them, there may be a more fundamental issue at hand as 18% on night use would be nigh on impossible with a storage heater/hot water tank set-up.

I appreciate you may have investigated this already but we often come across people who do not realise how to get the best out of an e7 set-up or are using it in the wrong way.

Bark01

Flt._Lt._Biggles wrote: »

Sounds like you already know more than the regulars here...

Or are you a former regular in a previous life?

:cool:

Ther final report is due 24th of June, the CMA has strict published timelines it needs to stick to. However, actualy turning the recomendations into anything legaly binding could take a while as some of the recomendations are likley to be challenged in the courts.

middletom

We don't have storage heaters, run washing machine & dishwasher at night, but don't fancy midnight ironing!