Change Comfortplus to Single Rate Tariff

Be_Happy

I know this has been discussed before, but I'm very confused. I thought that new rules made larger suppliers switch householders from old restricted meters to single rate on request, but elderly relative says Scottish Power have refused to do this.

Person lives in Scotland on Scottish Power Comfortplus Control Meter (2 meters, one reading each). No longer has storage heaters and wants to change to single rate meter/tariff.

Is there any obligation on SP to make this change and would there be a charge for it? Relative seemed to understand that extensive wiring changes would be required and this would be at their own cost.

molerat

Assuming they are not on pre pay or smart meter I would raise a complaint with SP that they are refusing the customers rights under the Energy Market Investigation (Restricted Meters) Order 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-market-investigation-restricted-meters-order-2016

Be_Happy

Thanks molerat. This was what I thought and I'll pass on the info to them.

One further query. If they changed to SP's single rate tariff, could they then change supplier or are there complications, eg some suppliers not being able to total 2 separate meter readings?

molerat

They will be able to change but only a supplier with a customer base in excess of 50000 electric customers has to implement the rules. The tariff is unlikely to be available on line and will have to be arranged through their complex metering department, not easy to switch. It may be worth biting the bullet and get a single rate meter installed but may cost. How do they heat the property now ?

Be_Happy

Hate to say it, but before I knew what they had done, they changed to a version of Fischer heaters! Hence the need to change tariffs.

wavelets

Be_Happy wrote: »

Thanks molerat. This was what I thought and I'll pass on the info to them.

One further query. If they changed to SP's single rate tariff, could they then change supplier or are there complications, eg some suppliers not being able to total 2 separate meter readings?

Do not attempt to switch supplier with the current metering.
Most suppliers (the ones that know what they are doing) will not accept the application anyway,

Yes, SP will charge to change the meter, and the elderly relative will have to sort any wiring issues out themselves (as you said)

wavelets

Be_Happy wrote: »

Hate to say it, but before I knew what they had done, they changed to a version of Fischer heaters! Hence the need to change tariffs.

As this is a moneysaving site, I would suggest you urge them to change the heaters rather than the tariff.

There comes a time when everyone needs to put the shovel down.;)

Be_Happy

wavelets wrote: »

As this is a moneysaving site, I would suggest you urge them to change the heaters rather than the tariff.

There comes a time when everyone needs to put the shovel down.;)

At their age and having taken on the cost of these new heaters (think they have entered into a finance deal). They will just have to stick with them.