complex meter nightmare. two mpan numbers eon - scottish power

Gehngus

Hi All.
I have recently moved into a house where electric is provided by Scottish Power with a standard online tariff and I am trying to switch to an alternative supplier.
Unfortunately my bill has two mpan numbers (also two meters), and I am told it is a related meter or complex meter). And for this reason all of the companies with the best deals can not take me on.

The house (detached bungalow) is in an area that does not have mains gas due to a nearby blasting quarry so the heating is storage heaters (not currently switched on due to hot weather). Which we would prefer to keep.
Due to old wiring the house has been rewired and is in a standard economy 7 layout (i.e. all the storage heaters are on a separate consumer unit which only come on at nigh).

I have spoken to Scottish power about changing this to a normal economy 7 meter but was told they wouldn't do it. I then contacted eon who said they would take it on and suggested the v16 tariff which was only available online via comparison sites (not a great deal but better than Scottish power). They also said that once I was an eon customer they would look at changing the meter which swayed me.


I signed up for the v16 via uswitch but was concerned that I could only enter a single mpan number so phoned up to add the second. Unfortunately they couldn't do this so canceled the switch and told me to go directly to the supplier. So I phoned quite a few more comparison sites and it seems none of the comparison sites can do this switch



I then phoned eon sales team. Who said I needed the complex meter team and then passed me to the wrong department, who then again passed me to the wrong department and then again.. This single call took 93 minutes at which time my credits ran out due to this being a 0333 number.
I have spent from 8am until 1PM just trying to switch to a better tariff and hopefully to a company who can sort the meter issue out.

I have now given up, im exhausted. But im none the wiser and no better off.


If anybody can offer me any advice on how to switch without having to spend hours on the phone I would be eternally grateful.


Many thanks in advance. I apologies for the grammar spelling, I can't find the auto correct.

D_M_E

Edit your title to include Eon - one of their reps who frequent the forum may pick it up and comment.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Gehngus wrote: »

Hi All.
I have recently moved into a house where electric is provided by Scottish Power with a standard online tariff and I am trying to switch to an alternative supplier.
Unfortunately my bill has two mpan numbers (also two meters), and I am told it is a related meter or complex meter). And for this reason all of the companies with the best deals can not take me on.

The house (detached bungalow) is in an area that does not have mains gas due to a nearby blasting quarry so the heating is storage heaters (not currently switched on due to hot weather). Which we would prefer to keep.
Due to old wiring the house has been rewired and is in a standard economy 7 layout (i.e. all the storage heaters are on a separate consumer unit which only come on at nigh).

I have spoken to Scottish power about changing this to a normal economy 7 meter but was told they wouldn't do it. I then contacted eon who said they would take it on and suggested the v16 tariff which was only available online via comparison sites (not a great deal but better than Scottish power). They also said that once I was an eon customer they would look at changing the meter which swayed me.


I signed up for the v16 via uswitch but was concerned that I could only enter a single mpan number so phoned up to add the second. Unfortunately they couldn't do this so canceled the switch and told me to go directly to the supplier. So I phoned quite a few more comparison sites and it seems none of the comparison sites can do this switch



I then phoned eon sales team. Who said I needed the complex meter team and then passed me to the wrong department, who then again passed me to the wrong department and then again.. This single call took 93 minutes at which time my credits ran out due to this being a 0333 number.
I have spent from 8am until 1PM just trying to switch to a better tariff and hopefully to a company who can sort the meter issue out.

I have now given up, im exhausted. But im none the wiser and no better off.


If anybody can offer me any advice on how to switch without having to spend hours on the phone I would be eternally grateful.


Many thanks in advance. I apologies for the grammar spelling, I can't find the auto correct.

Hello Gehngus and sorry you've been shunted around between teams. Also for the long time spent on the phone.

The type of metering you describe was designed mainly for all electric properties with storage heaters. They give a number of hours in each 24-hour period where electricity for heating and hot water is cheaper. As you say, to work, one of your meters will be wired directly into the heating circuits at the bungalow. This is covered by the second mpan. Electricity for all other purposes will go through the other meter and will be covered by the first mpan.

You're right. With these meters, it's not possible to do quotes and switches through our website or the Price Comparison sites. They can only be done over the phone by our specialist Residential Complex Meter sales team. To talk to this team please phone our general number (on our website) and ask to be put through. Alternatively, if you drop an email to the address in my Profile, I'll be happy to let you have their number (MSE aren't keen on company reps putting phone numbers/links on the Forums). To help see if we've a suitable tariff, the team will need an idea of the annual usage.

If you do decide to join us, you'll come under our Simpler Metering Project. This project aims to phase out many of our complex meters and replace them with single rate, Economy 7 or Economy 10 meters depending on individual customer needs. This is an ongoing project covering most of the country. We'll be in touch once we're able to offer a metering set up that's acceptable to you and doesn't impact your heating. There's no particular timeframe at the moment.

Hope this is of interest Gehngus.

Malc

Gehngus

Thank you. I will take a look and see if I can find an 0800 number. The 0333 didn't go well at all.
The people on the online chat have been helpful and assure me this type of meter won't be a problem.
Ill try to get to the complementary meter guys again.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Gehngus wrote: »

Thank you. I will take a look and see if I can find an 0800 number. The 0333 didn't go well at all.
The people on the online chat have been helpful and assure me this type of meter won't be a problem.
Ill try to get to the complementary meter guys again.

No worries Gehngus. You know where I am if you need me.

Malc

Gehngus

Spoken to eon, they cant quote me for econ 7 as It seems the national database has the wrong information on me.. "unrestricted + 12" but the clock is 7 hours. I was advised speak to SP and see what they had on record and if they could update the national data base.


Then spoke to SP. They say they have it a standard N Class meter (no idea?) with dual reading (day and off peak, on two meters) it is set to 7 hours and would be happy to quote me for economy 7..



But nothing can be done for 16-30 days because of a recent attempt to switch is which is now holding one of the Mpan numbers. (I did attempt to switch online and there was only one Mpan slot, I assume it is this). At which time i can either attempt to switch and let the next company update the database, or i can stay with SP and then speak to another department to do with meter setups (i think) and have it changed, but there may be a cost..


So for the next few weeks I cannot do anything. Eon cant quote me for economy 7 only at a single rate (£200 more than other suppliers at single rate).


It all got very confusing in the end, but it seems if I stay with SP I can have E7, try and switch and I can not. although quotes for a single rate with suppliers who will take on a double Mpan ( Bulb for example) will be cheaper than Scottish powers E7 deal.. I think?


Another 3 hours on the phone, I now looking forward to a few weeks off before trying again

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Gehngus wrote: »

Spoken to eon, they cant quote me for econ 7 as It seems the national database has the wrong information on me.. "unrestricted + 12" but the clock is 7 hours. I was advised speak to SP and see what they had on record and if they could update the national data base.


Then spoke to SP. They say they have it a standard N Class meter (no idea?) with dual reading (day and off peak, on two meters) it is set to 7 hours and would be happy to quote me for economy 7..



But nothing can be done for 16-30 days because of a recent attempt to switch is which is now holding one of the Mpan numbers. (I did attempt to switch online and there was only one Mpan slot, I assume it is this). At which time i can either attempt to switch and let the next company update the database, or i can stay with SP and then speak to another department to do with meter setups (i think) and have it changed, but there may be a cost..


So for the next few weeks I cannot do anything. Eon cant quote me for economy 7 only at a single rate (£200 more than other suppliers at single rate).


It all got very confusing in the end, but it seems if I stay with SP I can have E7, try and switch and I can not. although quotes for a single rate with suppliers who will take on a double Mpan ( Bulb for example) will be cheaper than Scottish powers E7 deal.. I think?


Another 3 hours on the phone, I now looking forward to a few weeks off before trying again

Thanks for the update Gehngus.

The National Database holds details of all the electricity meters in the country and is used by all suppliers when arranging switches. Any discrepancies will stop a change of supply. Under industry rules, only the existing supplier is allowed to ask for changes. Requests from anyone else will be rejected.

Sorry we can't do more until these discrepancies have been put right Gehngus.

Malc

[Deleted User]

This is a recurring theme on here with people, mostly up in Scotland locked into very high tariffs with a few suppliers only who can manage the metering process.
There is nothing wrong with occupiers organising it themselves to remove the meters and buying their own Eco 7 meter and registering it with the supplier and finding an electrician who understands the job.
Ebay have multi rate single phase Ampy meters for only £30
I have seen the wiring set up online and even to me it looks straightforward.
An Eco 7 meter then opens you up to much cheaper electricity tariffs. I would nt bother with Eco 10, you will be in the same boat as before in the grip of a few pricey suppliers
Its not in the interests of the few suppliers who run complex meters to help you kill their cash cow.
Scottish Power have always been the most expensive supplier when it comes to exchanging meters . They used to charge Prepayment meter customers £220 a meter to change to a credit meter before OFGEM stopped them by making exchanges from prepay to credit free .

Gehngus

OK. an update.
spoke to SP again today as the meter is still showing in a goodbye cycle. SP say it does say this was canceled in July so they will correct it and to allow 72 hours.
However, even though the national database shows E10. they have us down as E7 so can do us a deal. but they aint doing anything about the national database. Great!

Quick chat with Eon concludes they can take it on anyway as a standard tarrif and then i can ask them to do something with the meter. somebody should come around to fit a smart meter and check the thing and then hopefully update the records so that i can then maybe, hopfully get onto an E7 contract with eon.
fortunatley due to a grant i have just had the new more economical storage heaters fitted.
I am currently looking at a wood burner also so should be able to keep consumption to a minimum where heating is concerned.
fingers crossed.

Gehngus

Hi All.
Its a year later and I am still with Scottish power.
I really don't want to be.
I still have two mpan numbers.
I'm willing to pay for a new meter but with sp it isn't posible.
Is their a supplier who would do this if I switch to them?
Or can I arrange it myself and have an mpan crossed off?

Carrot007

Gehngus wrote: »

Hi All.
Its a year later and I am still with Scottish power.
I really don't want to be.
I still have two mpan numbers.
I'm willing to pay for a new meter but with sp it isn't posible.
Is their a supplier who would do this if I switch to them?
Or can I arrange it myself and have an mpan crossed off?

Yo uappear to have multiople problems and are unaware how to sort them.


You think you are on E7. You are not, you may be being billed as E7 as a hack but you are on a complex unrestricted + RHT meter setup. The national database has to reflect what metering you have, not hopw you are billed.


SP should be able to move you to real e7. however since tyhis would only have 1 consumer unit you would probably be expected to get someone to carry out all the work after the meter yourself. Now is probably a good tiem as you would not miss the heating part fora bit.


Having been with SP myself I expect they just think you are on e7 when you ring up and when they find you are not get upset becuase they will not be able to solve the call quickly and be penalised on their performance.


I would recomend the online chat, when I was with them they seemed the only people competant to do anything, of course this too was if you know what you required.


Since no one else will take you right now you need SP to do the work. This would be.


1. Logical disconnection of RHT meter (this would make your heating side stop working).
2. Change unrestricted meter to an E7 meter (yes e10 gets you more hours but is seldom worth the higher tarrifs). This gets you cheap hours for everything.
3. Get an electrician to colsolidate your consumer units so eveything is on one. Probably nice to be up to current psecs witha metal one and 2 rcd's anyway!
4. Be able to move suppliers.
5. Additional info there is no E7 in scotland, people like to call it that but it is 8.5 hours IIRC. (unless new tarrifs have been inttroduced and I checked a few months back and there were none).


Good luck, SP have so much problems with their systems that with complex things they would rathger you move than sort it out, however you are unable to.