EDF -Won't change meter from Economy 7 to Normal meter

Don_Draper

My friend has just discovered that her house is on an E7 tariff and E7 meter but she doesn't have any storage heaters. She just asked EDF to change her onto a normal meter but they refused to change the meter itself.
They said they could just change her tariff to a Standard Variable tariff and she could give Day & Night readings from the existing meter that and she would be charged at the same rate for both readings.

In principle this sounds ok but she thinks that it could lead to a lot of confusion in future, for example if she wants to change supplier (which she probably does) or onto a fixed tariff (which she definitely does). She doesn't want another company putting her back onto E7 because of her having the E7 meter, and her having to go through all this again.

Is there any way that she can insist that the meter is changed from E7 to normal? Or is she stuck with this anomaly for ever?

Many thanks for any advice.

welshmoneylover

Don_Draper wrote: »

My friend has just discovered that her house is on an E7 tariff and E7 meter but she doesn't have any storage heaters. She just asked EDF to change her onto a normal meter but they refused to change the meter itself.
They said they could just change her tariff to a Standard Variable tariff and she could give Day & Night readings from the existing meter that and she would be charged at the same rate for both readings.

In principle this sounds ok but she thinks that it could lead to a lot of confusion in future, for example if she wants to change supplier (which she probably does) or onto a fixed tariff (which she definitely does). She doesn't want another company putting her back onto E7 because of her having the E7 meter, and her having to go through all this again.

Is there any way that she can insist that the meter is changed from E7 to normal? Or is she stuck with this anomaly for ever?

Many thanks for any advice.

Tbh, I don’t think it would be an issue in the future.
The reading from rate 2 will go dumb, so the only reading that will move will be rate 1, ie, single rate meter.

Don_Draper

They specifically told us that both Day & Night dials will move and she still need to give both readings which they will add together to give the no. of units used.

System

Don_Draper wrote: »

They specifically told us that both Day & Night dials will move and she still need to give both readings which they will add together to give the no. of units used.

A family member has just moved into a property with an E7 meter. Switching is not a problem. The switch went ahead as E7. A call to the new supplier was all that was necessary to get them to agree to treat the two readings as single rate. If the property wiring suits, then why not ask for a single rate smart meter?

Don_Draper

Thanks, what specifically would be required in terms of wiring please for the single-rate smart meter?
Would this smart meter have to be changed again if she then switched supplier?

thorganby

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Tbh, I don’t think it would be an issue in the future.
The reading from rate 2 will go dumb, so the only reading that will move will be rate 1, ie, single rate meter.

Did you actually read the post that you have quoted?

The meter will still be registered as an E7 meter on the database, therefore if the OP's friend switches to another supplier they will be charged an E7 tariff.

Not all suppliers will add the day and night readings, so EDF saving themselves money now will very likely cause problems for the customer in the future.

Don_Draper

Thanks for all the comments. It sounds as though it’s best for her to ask for a smart meter, as she can at least then consign the E7 meter to history.
I don’t know what the wiring issues mentioned above are for a smart meter and would be grateful if someone could explain?
Once she has a smart meter she could then presumably switch suppliers and they would have to replace the meter again if it wasn’t compatible with their system? Is that how it works? Or would they refuse the switch if they didn’t like the smart meter?

welshmoneylover

thorganby wrote: »

Did you actually read the post that you have quoted?

The meter will still be registered as an E7 meter on the database, therefore if the OP's friend switches to another supplier they will be charged an E7 tariff.

Not all suppliers will add the day and night readings, so EDF saving themselves money now will very likely cause problems for the customer in the future.

No I have seen cases whereby the r2 wiring is disconnected and the r1 is the reading iyswim

[Deleted User]

I have certainly seen many cases where Eco 7 meters are converted to single rate by the District Network Operator,( Npower in my area), where the night rate was disconnected, meter wiring adjusted , and a sticker blanking out the night/low rate on the old analogue meter.
The town of Worksop springs to mind which is a town which has had many Eco 7 meters fitted to properties with a gas supply and gas central heating from new.
Mostly though its cheaper for suppliers just to bill single rate by totalling the two readings.
It probably would also keep the occupiers from switching away less as it rules out the suppliers who refuse to or can t process Eco 7 billing.
Nothing wrong with the occupier buying a cheap digital meter themselves such as a new Ampy 100 amp single phase meter (approx £20 ) and employing an electrician to complete the job. I have seen the instructions described online and its all straightforward enough for a qualified Sparkie.
This year I have seen some extremely good rates for Eco 7 from Yorkshire Energy ( and many other suppliers ) who had an Eco 7 tariff designed just for Eco 7 meters with GCH with the day/night rates more or less exactly the same and at that time, last August , was one of the cheapest deals in my area. Both rates last August were 12p/kwh.
Prices have risen sharply since then and Yorkshire energys Green Squirrel electricity rates are now 13.5/kwh day and 11.61 pkwh/night and 25 p a day standing charge

Don_Draper

Thanks, Didn’t know that it was permitted to get an electrician to change the meter, how do the new meter details get notified to the Supplier and updated on the central database?

[Deleted User]

Don_Draper wrote: »

Thanks, Didn’t know that it was permitted to get an electrician to change the meter, how do the new meter details get notified to the Supplier and updated on the central database?

I have been told by BG Revenue Protection Officers that it is legal for an occupier to buy both a gas or electric meter and register it . Not sure myself the exact place to register these meters but judging by how many gas meters are for sale on Ebay plenty of people are buying gas meters and also a smaller number of electric meters.
I also have no idea how much a private electrician would charge for the job of installing it..
People who are locked into the very high rates of Eco 10,Heatwise or white meter legacy Scottish three rate tariffs would be more likely to want to go from these expensive legacy tariffs with only around 3 or 4 suppliers who can support them to an Eco 7 tariff with over 40 in competition and much lower rates
Ideally its probably better for a supplier to do the work. Eon via their reps on here have mentioned that the work is considered to be non essential so they can bill you their going rate. I think the rep quoted a price of around £84.
Scottish Power used to charge over £200 per meter to change from prepay to credit meters before OFGEM put a stop to that underhand practice and now its free