Economy 7 meter, how can i get rid

ricflairandy

Hi all,

we moved into a new house around 12 months ago and have been on the first utility fixed tariff. They have now switched us to an economy 7 tariff

I dont want to be on one of these as we use no electricity at night. I want off, however when using comparison sites, they all only give me values for economy 7.

How can i get rid of this thing, i feel like im at ransom to this stupid tarrif and extortionate day rates.

CashStrapped

The obvious question to ask is.....does the property have storage heaters?

If that is so, the an E7 tariff is the best option.

That aside.....

If you have no storage heaters and the E7 meter has been left in situ, this is usually not a problem.

Most suppliers just ask you to submit two meter readings but treat it as a single reading. This is standard practice and is a quick and easy solution. It means you only get billed as per a standard meter with a single rate.

Some suppliers will swap it to a standard meter free if asked (usually the big six suppliers are good at this), others may charge.

So it is not a big issue either way.

A comparison site will show you what ever tariff you wish. Just do not select the E7 options. But before you switch, ring that supplier and ask how they treat E7 meters.

Cardew

CashStrapped wrote: »

Most suppliers just ask you to combine the two meter readings and treat it as a standard meter. This is standard practice and is a quick and easy solution. It means you only submit one meter reading.

Not understood.

Those companies that will keep you on a 'normal 24/7' tariff(BG/Eon/Ovo are three) when the property has an E7 meter require you to submit two electricity meter readings, the off-peak and peak readings.

They work out the consumption on each and add them together. Thus if the off-peak(E7) consumption is, say, 300kWh and the peak consumption is, say 1,140kWh I am billed for 1,440kWh at the same rate

ricflairandy

Thanks. It seems like only the bigger companies will add them both. We do not have storage heaters, literally no electricity is sued st night .

Looks like I'm stuck getting ripped off my first utility until I can get it removed.

System

As Cashback has said, if you are done with Eco 7 and do not need a cheap night rate then its not a problem. Only some suppliers can actually total the two together so ideally it is better to get rid of the meter altogether and get a single rate meter installed by the supplier. The whole market is then open to you not just a few of the big six who can total the two reads.

glentoran99

ricflairandy wrote: »

Thanks. It seems like only the bigger companies will add them both. We do not have storage heaters, literally no electricity is sued st night .

Looks like I'm stuck getting ripped off my first utility until I can get it removed.

just to be pedantic, no fridge? No lights? No heating of any kind? All standby switched off?

Cardew

glentoran99 wrote: »

just to be pedantic, no fridge? No lights? No heating of any kind? All standby switched off?

Also bear in mind that, depending on area, the off-peak period lasts in the morning until well after most people are up and about.

iammumtoone

have you checked the clock on it? some are out on time meaning people benefit from cheap rates when they are not suppose to :cool:

I am on E7 with no storage heaters. Sadly the clock on mine is correct but I put all my washing on (via timer switch) to run over night and charge all mobiles/laptop etc over night. Cooker is gas so I suppose that helps.

To be honest I might not have choose it but like you it was here when I moved in so stuck with it and try to make the best out of it.

footyguy

ricflairandy wrote: »

Hi all,

we moved into a new house around 12 months ago and have been on the first utility fixed tariff. They have now switched us to an economy 7 tariff

I dont want to be on one of these as we use no electricity at night. I want off, however when using comparison sites, they all only give me values for economy 7.

How can i get rid of this thing, i feel like im at ransom to this stupid tarrif and extortionate day rates.

Really? Use candles do you or a torch? Remember to switch the fridge off at the wall every night?
As a MoneySaving Stalwart why don't you try and save some money??? Maximise your consumption of half price or less electricity rather than using it all at full cost???

Anyway, to address your question, you can either ask FU to change your meter to a single rate meter, or switch to your supplier of choice onto their E7 tariff, and then ask them to change the meter for you.

The odd supplier may agree to supply you on a single rate tariff despite having a dual rate meter, but you'll have to ask them.

There are also the odd supplier that offer E7 tariffs that have the same unit rate day & night - came across one today by Green Energy (Tap tariff). I've seen others too in the past. If they are cheap for you they will be near the top of a comparison site, as they were for me.

Alternatively, I found one supplier who charges (at least on one of their tariffs) the same daily standing charge and single unit rate as per their E7 day rate charge.
So those on single rate pay the same unit charge 24/7 whilst those on E7 pay that rate only 17/7 and pay significantly less for the other 7/7.

The choice is yours.
Consult a comparison site to find the best deal for you.

But remember - GIGO!

footyguy

ricflairandy wrote: »

Thanks. It seems like only the bigger companies will add them both. We do not have storage heaters, literally no electricity is sued st night .

Looks like I'm stuck getting ripped off my first utility until I can get it removed.

I literally don't believe you.

Good luck!

CashStrapped

Cardew wrote: »

Not understood.

Those companies that will keep you on a 'normal 24/7' tariff(BG/Eon/Ovo are three) when the property has an E7 meter require you to submit two electricity meter readings, the off-peak and peak readings.

They work out the consumption on each and add them together. Thus if the off-peak(E7) consumption is, say, 300kWh and the peak consumption is, say 1,140kWh I am billed for 1,440kWh at the same rate

Many thanks for the correction.

Brain fade on my part. It is a while since I had an E7 set-up. Of course they need the two readings. I meant to say they combine the readings but you only get billed as if you had a made a single reading.