SSE THTC Monopoly

QrizB

David_in_Moray said:

If DTS reduces to 8hrs who is going to compensate THTC users?

I very much doubt anyone will. Compensation for what, exactly?

coffeehound

It appears that the radio teleswitch service has been given an extension to March 2023 so you have another year in hand

The system has continued to operate satisfactorily and has enabled user companies to provide added value to their customers.

The Central Teleswitch Control Unit (CTCU) was updated at the end of January 2008 to replace the obsolete hardware with brand new, modern, fully supported equipment. The old DEC MicroVAX machines were replaced with HP Integrity 2600s. The operating system was also upgraded to OpenVMS 8.3.

All communications lines have also been updated and internet access has been introduced in addition to the dial in access by modem.

The update has markedly improved the performance and stability of the system.

The life of Radio Teleswitching is being extended through to March 2023.

https://www.energynetworks.org/industry-hub/engineering-and-technical-programmes/radio-teleswitch

David_in_Moray

kennyfraser said:

Have you seen this? https://www.changeworks.org.uk/sites/default/files/ImprovingConsumerOutcomesFund_Report_April2020.pdf

If not it may be of interest to you.

@BUFF - this was certainly of interest:

"When the DTS signal will end in March 2022, the systems will revert to a “safe” mode, 8 hours off-peak overnight with no way of altering this."

Is this still the case? Had no idea of this, but why should I have, since switching away from SSE to a company with virtually no knowledge of THTC? I'd been keeping the THTC meter to benefit from the afternoon heating boost. If this is no longer going to be the case then it appears the meter will soon be operating like a so-called 'Economy 8'.

@David_in_Moray - to update you: the supplier I found (Utility Warehouse) has now taken over THTC meters in two separate properties that I look after, with older-style storage heaters. With the first property, UW agreed an off-peak tariff rate of under 8p per unit, which they have been applying correctly since account opening, along with a peak rate under 20p. With the second property, they have been billing off-peak at the same rate as peak, around 20p - I have an outstanding issue to amend and backdate this to the agreed cheaper rate. Under the agreement I pay a standing charge for each meter, so two standing charges for each property.

The billing from UW in general has needed a very close eye each month, to correct errors. Their customer service isn't too bad, at least you can talk to a real person after some waiting, but I need to explain THTC each time to the call handler, and hope their supervisor has at least some idea of it.

I expect the way things are going with potentially losing the DTS signal afternoon boost, the storage heaters will eventually be upgraded and the THTC meter changed for a smart off-peak one.

Hi Kenny, it's >6 months that you've been with Utility Warehouse, how's that working out for you?  SSE/OVO have used the Direct Debit billing system to hike my monthly rates for energy four times in the last year (June 2021 £250 to £517pcm since May this year) despite me being in credit in December on the anniversary of my now variable Standard THTC tariff (no alternative offered).  I've been submitting monthly readings online all year but some of those mysteriously disappeared and they didn't seem concerned when I complained, I'm £765 in credit after todays readings, so they're making sure they don't loose out!  I wonder how the other 70,000 Scottish THTC 'prisoners' are managing!    

Morayjag

Hi David_in_Moray, I am the very same as you no comms from SSE I was hiked to 210pm and am still 680 in credit as start of this month. All this talk of thousands of pounds extra per year is scary, which means thousands more in SSE hoarding account. Time they pulled the finger out cos they must be seeing people are not using so much, I too take my readings every day, submit them end of month and still see a great big (E) on my online bill. Scotland is still the dearest energy bills in this so called Union of equals, and it shows in the bills we get. How much millions do they rake in from accumalated credit, better in our pockets.

kennyfraser

@David_in_Moray I'm still happy enough with Utility Warehouse. Although I was put on to a payment plan with suggested regular amounts initially, I requested they remove this so I could pay based on meter readings only.  They did this, and I submit monthly meter readings near the billing date so I'm paying as closely as possible to actual usage, reducing any credit on the account to a minimum. This should really be the way bill payments should work, shouldn't it? The in-credit amounts built up by energy companies are scandalous.  Where a smart meter isn't involved here, the company is relying on the customer's honesty in meter reading and prompt bill payment.

@Morayjag I've also submitted meter readings to UW in the past which "weren't registered" and so didn't appear on my bill.  In this case they tended to overestimate the usage of course.  This can be balanced with a later correct reading.  Strangely enough, an underestimated reading instead was used at the end of March - so pushing the significant extra actual units used into April, and the more expensive tariff...  I'm still awaiting the outcome of a complaint.

David_in_Moray

My latest quarterly bill from SSE/OVO was paid off on 8th September leaving my account over £1000 in credit.  At the same time as they emailed me the link to that bill SSE/OVO issued a further hike in my monthly Direct Debit with effect from 10th October 2022 from April's £517pcm to £940pcm...that was the last straw; and after an unsuccessful 'WhatsApp' linked conversation with a robot at 'SSE Collections' I went online with my bank and cancelled future Direct Debit payments, messaging the robot to that effect, saying I would make no further payments until I agreed the amounts.  That should give me an opportunity to try Utility Warehouse which Kenny seems to have been successful with!  Any other THTC Customers feeling the 'pinch' and want to share a way out of this system?

Northern_Wanderer

I'm not sure if you've seen this https://forum.ovoenergy.com/my-account-140/total-heating-with-total-control-thtc-ovo-sse-ending-support-in-march-2023-9242

Might be good to contact the Electric Heating Team dealing with the RTS switch off/ THTC end of support metering changes on 0345 071 7972. I suspect the switchover will have some headaches but I hope that it will result in a good outcome and cheaper billing for all THTC customers EDIT: who will then be free to switch suppliers.

Morayjag

I too was the same as David in Moray. I paid my bill on 8th September and was left with a credit of £842. I phoned SSE and for once got to speak to someone and told them I was not happy abut this amount. I was told my direct debit could go up to £387 from £216. Told them no chance as I am a pensioner and cannot afford that. I was then told that was based on the cap before Govt announced the £2500 cap, so that would take me down to £271. But nothing will be known until October then they will be in touch. Meanwhile they still have my credit. Am I in my right to ask for it returned to me ?

[Deleted User]

Morayjag said:

I too was the same as David in Moray. I paid my bill on 8th September and was left with a credit of £842. I phoned SSE and for once got to speak to someone and told them I was not happy abut this amount. I was told my direct debit could go up to £387 from £216. Told them no chance as I am a pensioner and cannot afford that. I was then told that was based on the cap before Govt announced the £2500 cap, so that would take me down to £271. But nothing will be known until October then they will be in touch. Meanwhile they still have my credit. Am I in my right to ask for it returned to me ?

You should be in credit at this time of year if you pay by fixed direct debit.

Morayjag

The way I use my THTC I am in credit every bill does not matter what time of year, for winter bill £432 and still £390 in credit. SSE still tell me what I should use not what I am using. Exhausted trying to get it through to them. I used to speak to someone in Perth who seemed to be clued up about issues in Scotland, lately it is more likely someone in Mumbai.