Economy 7 to Standard Tariff Dilemma

Mark2019

I've recently moved into a new property with storage heaters and an economy 7 tariff. I will be replacing the current heaters with more modern electric heaters sometime next week. However, I've yet to register with a supplier (I moved in this weekend) and don't know what to do.

Should I register with a supplier now on an economy 7 tariff, stay with them for just over a week, and then switch when I get my electric heaters to a standard tariff? Or should I wait it out, get a bill from the previous occupier's supplier (economy 7) and then switch when I have my new heaters in?

Also, does anyone know if there are any issues with going from an economy 7 meter to a standard tariff meter?

molerat

Slow down there. You want to swap what is likely the cheapest form of electric heating for one of the most expensive ? Have you really looked into this ? They might look prettier but you will pay for that luxury.


Whatever you do you need to register with the original supplier first.

Mark2019

molerat wrote: »

Slow down there. You want to swap what is likely the cheapest form of electric heating for one of the most expensive ? Have you really looked into this ? They might look prettier but you will pay for that luxury.


Whatever you do you need to register with the original supplier first.

I am out for most of the day so don't get the benefit of the old storage heaters. The property is pretty cosy as it is so the electric heaters are really there to take the chill off in the mornings and evenings.

Unfortunately it doesn't say who the original supplier was in the Home Report so I'm none the wiser.

matelodave

You have to register with the supplier when you move in, making sure that you give them the meter readings. Do not assume that the last person read the meter or even gave the correct readings. Likewise read them and do it yourself, don rely on someone else.

Once you've set up an account with the existing supplier, you are free to swap suppliers and tariffs.

As molerat suggest, you may well regret swapping your off-peak heating system for one that uses peak rate energy unless you are very frugal with your heating.

I hope you haven't been persuaded to change by sales people from a well known but extremely expensive German company that fills their heaters with magic ingredients.

jk0

Before getting rid of your storage heaters, why not do a little test:


Leave them off for a month, just using your new heaters. Then leave them on for a month, just using your new heaters for top up.


Take readings for both months. If the 1st month is more comfortable, and costs less money, crack on & remove the storage heaters. I bet it won't be though.

macman

You are about to triple the cost of your heating and DHW: this is insane, just to have a more 'modern' looking heater!
If the NSH's are releasing too much heat in the day, simply adjust the dampers so that the release is slower and lasts into the evening.
You will also lose all your off peak hot water supply.
Not all suppliers will allow you to use a single rate tariff with a dual rate tariff, so you may have the cost of a meter change on top of the new 'modern' heaters.

Robin9

Mark2019 wrote: »

...............

Unfortunately it doesn't say who the original supplier was in the Home Report so I'm none the wiser.

http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/who-is-my-network-operator


As others have said - read the many, many threads on this forum about modern super efficient heaters. After the expensive instal
(and don't forget wiring amd metering costs) be prepared for the running costs.

EachPenny

Mark2019 wrote: »

I am out for most of the day so don't get the benefit of the old storage heaters. The property is pretty cosy as it is so the electric heaters are really there to take the chill off in the mornings and evenings.

You've only just moved in to a house with storage heaters... so you've not experienced it in a range of weather conditions and without the storage heaters working? It sounds rather premature to be making decisions which could prove very expensive.

It isn't entirely clear from your post what is happening with the new heaters, and what you will do with the old ones... but when you use the word "replacing" it sounds like you are getting rid of the storage heaters and having new heaters installed. That is why you've got several expressions of alarm from other posters and if it is the case then you really need to think very carefully about what you are doing.

At the very least you should delay making any permanent changes until you have a better idea about running costs. Why not buy a couple of cheap (£20-£30) heaters and run these with the storage heaters turned off to test your assumption about only needing to take the "chill off in the mornings and evenings"? You might be surprised how long you will need to run them to bring the room up to a comfortable temperature.