E.ON acts to begin replacing standard variable tariffs for its customers

Hedgehog99

NineDeuce wrote: »

The ultimate objective is to find new ways of charging the same amount of money overall and maintaining the same profit levels.

Your annual bill might be the same if you're lucky, but in order to maintain that, you'll have had to cut your usage.

Sharks the lot of 'em.

System

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Spot on fredandwilma. As above, there are no exit fees with these tariffs.


As you know, Helena and I only find out about new tariffs and prices round about the same time as they're made public. Our CEO did say in his press release yesterday that, when the fixed price tariff replaces the SVTs next year, it will be lower than our current SVT. I don't know how competitive this will actually be and, as always, customers should pop their details on the independent Price Comparison sites to see the overall picture.

At the moment, it's a matter of watch this space or our website. As you say, time will tell and we'll now more as the project unfolds.

Malc

Malc - a reasonable response as always. The 'irony' here is that Ofgem first changed the rules relating to the end of fixed term tariffs because some suppliers were transferring customers to a new fixed tariff contact without their knowledge or permission. It will be interesting to see how this change plays out with both consumers and politicians. My 'guess' is that the new fixed tariff on offer will only be slightly less than the SVT.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hengus wrote: »

Malc - a reasonable response as always. The 'irony' here is that Ofgem first changed the rules relating to the end of fixed term tariffs because some suppliers were transferring customers to a new fixed tariff contact without their knowledge or permission. It will be interesting to see how this change plays out with both consumers and politicians. My 'guess' is that the new fixed tariff on offer will only be slightly less than the SVT.

Thanks for the kind words Hengus. They're appreciated.

I agree, this is a relatively new development and it'll be interesting to see the reaction. I'll keep the Forums up to date when I've news of anything relevant.

Have a good weekend.

Malc

jamesd

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

We're proposing that this fixed term tariff will be cheaper than our SVT and will have no exit fees leaving customers free to change supplier whenever they like without penalty.

Please confirm that no penalty will include having a traditional meter reinstalled at no charge if requested so that the former customers do not remain subject to the security and privacy risks of this generation of dumb "smart" meters.

By security I mean things like the technical capability to use frequent readings to determine occupancy and activities.

By privacy I mean the technical capability to take readings more frequently than once a month without explicit customer consent and action each time an additional read is desired, as well as the occupancy/activity tracking potential.

jamesd

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

a fixed term tariff for our smart meter customers

Will the tarrif rules constrain the mounting of the meter or its environment, for example, restricting placing the electricity meter within a normally closed Faraday cage to constrain how frequently readings can be taken to maintain the security and privacy of the customer?

jamesd

Do any "smart" domestic meters supplied by E.on offer any smart features, like:

1. Ability to trigger responses to an instruction from National Grid to a distribution network to reduce demand, to potentially avoid load shedding (AKA a power cut)
2. Ability to trigger a response to a request from a regional distribution network to reduce its grid demand in the three highest winter demand periods used to determine part of its fees paid to National Grid, for payment to be made to the consumer?
3. Ability to trigger demand response load reductions in exchange for payments to consumers who respond?
4. Ability to trigger rapid grid balancing responses, for payment to consumers who set things up to respond automatically?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

jamesd wrote: »

Please confirm that no penalty will include having a traditional meter reinstalled at no charge if requested so that the former customers do not remain subject to the security and privacy risks of this generation of dumb "smart" meters.

By security I mean things like the technical capability to use frequent readings to determine occupancy and activities.

By privacy I mean the technical capability to take readings more frequently than once a month without explicit customer consent and action each time an additional read is desired, as well as the occupancy/activity tracking potential.

jamesd wrote: »

Will the tarrif rules constrain the mounting of the meter or its environment, for example, restricting placing the electricity meter within a normally closed Faraday cage to constrain how frequently readings can be taken to maintain the security and privacy of the customer?

Hello jamesd.

Where meters are sited and how frequently they're read is separate to the tariffs we offer. As with any meter, smart or classic/traditional, it'll be sited as per the set up at individual properties. For existing customers, a smart meter will usually be fitted where the current meter is placed. This will only be varied at the customer's request or if there's a particular reason at a specific property as to why this can't be done.

Once a smart meter has been fitted, we won't replace it with a classic/traditional type without charging a fee. Also, depending on the metering set up, it might not be possible to re-install a classic/traditional meter. It depends on the circumstances at each property.

I can confirm, we only take readings remotely on a monthly basis unless the customer explicitly gives us permission to do otherwise. We use the readings to issue accurate bills and to record usage. This helps us work out how best to set up payment arrangements and to advise customers of ways to save money by saving energy. They're not used for any other purpose.

Smart meters are optional and customers are free to decline the offer to have them.

Hope this explains jamesd.

Malc

fredandwilma

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

I can confirm, we only take readings remotely on a monthly basis unless the customer explicitly gives us permission to do otherwise.

Malc

You can actually change the frequency of your readings via your online account.

fredandwilma

I'm not impressed with your new tariff:-


https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/energy/2017/09/new-eon-tariff-offers-two-free-cinema-tickets-a-month-?_ga=2.40985058.1169719437.1506576422-1912643441.1506576421


Although, I am confused as the MSE article says it's only available for those with credit meters and on the E.on website it states

Not available for prepayment or Smart Pay As You Go customers.

E.on :-


https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/products-and-services/cinema-bundle-fixed-1-year

MSE :-

The dual-fuel tariff is only available for those with credit meters, and if you switch away before the end of the fix you won't be given any more tickets, and you'll need to pay a £50 (£25 per fuel) exit fee.

Is a credit meter not a prepayment or Smart Pay as you go meter?

Conflicting information, there?

At any rate, you're better than 'gimmicks' like that, E.on?

Raxiel

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

I can confirm, we only take readings remotely on a monthly basis unless the customer explicitly gives us permission to do otherwise...

Malc

Before I left E.ON earlier this year, I had mine set to 15 minute readings, when I called to discuss a quote to remain, the CSA told me she'd have send a pull request to the meter if I wanted the quote to use the latest figures. She told me that changing the frequency only affects how often the meter logs the reading, but the figures are still only actually transmitted once a month (unless manually requested)

Is that still the case?

fredandwilma wrote: »

I'm not impressed with your new tariff:-


https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/energy/2017/09/new-eon-tariff-offers-two-free-cinema-tickets-a-month-?_ga=2.40985058.1169719437.1506576422-1912643441.1506576421

Ooof, neither am I! £20 a month extra for 'medium' consumption in my region? If you have time to go to the cinema every month, it probably makes more sense to get a season ticket. Still, there may be some people in some regions who like it.