Economy 7 immersion heater coming on during the day

adamwebb28

Hi, 
I am on an Economy 7 tariff. I've just noticed, sitting here in the quiet, that my immersion heater is coming on inside the hot water tank. This shouldn't happen on an Economy 7 should it?
I've looked and I have two switches, on labelled Economy 7 which is on and has a cable going directly into the bottom of the tank and a second switch which goes into a timer and then into the middle of the tank which is off.
Am I missing something? Really concerned I'm going to be paying a lot more than I need to.
I'm with Bulb if that makes any difference?
Thanks

Richie-from-the-Boro

Do you have a [SMETS2] smart meter ?

Bulb have a 3 rate TOU (beta) 'green' tariff. What tariff name are you on ?

adamwebb28

I'm on the Vari-Fair tariff, I don't have a smart meter. I did only move to Bulb at the start of Feb.

MWT

Do you have a timer close to your meter? If so check if it is set to the right time?

Whatever it is set to though, don't try and change it yourself as the clock is sealed to prevent customers altering it to get cheap rate power all the time...

Richie-from-the-Boro

The reason I asked is they have 3 points in the 24hr cycle where they deliver energy the 4-7pm of which is 41.4p @ core rate but TOU only functions with a SMETS2.

The 'Vari-Fair' tariff is their 30 days notice variable but on E7 I can't see how your immersion is switching on, but take your word it's bottom element E7. I've certainly come across a water controller where it won't switch on (contactor) when it should but never one that comes on when it shouldn't.

Of course the bottom element should already have delivered a full tank the night before which if properly insulated loses little between 7am and coming on overnight. Switch both off when you get up Monday - did it come on during the day ? Remember to put them back before you go to your cot on Monday.  I've no idea - you only changed provider !

adamwebb28

Thanks. As far as I can see there’s no timer near the meter. There is a teleswitch though. I saw that the light on the switch was off this morning when I got up at 7 so assuming the heater Is getting switched on at a certain time just not when I was expecting. 

I’m going to call Bulb as I noticed my meter readings show I’m using a lot more night time energy than day which was never the case when I was with npower!

Gerry1

The only reason to call Bulb is if the meter switching times are incorrect and / or you are being billed at day rate for the units registered at night and vice versa.  Don't make any assumptions, check both possibilities before calling or you'll just be wasting each other's time.

adamwebb28

Thanks. So I haven't called Bulb yet but looking at the meter right now I can see the night rate is ticking up but the day rate isn't. Is there anything else I should be checking before calling? I can't see a timer anywhere.

Gerry1

Have you confirmed from the bill that it's the night rate?  Rate 1 and Rate 2 are meaningless, either can be the night rate.  You need to find out when the meter is supposed to switch (Dial 105) and watch it change over at both the relevant times.

http://alancordwell.co.uk/Legacy/radio/teleswitch1.html

It's cheap rate when the red lever (below '80A') is down.

adamwebb28

Thanks Gerry, I've checked and the red lever is down. So I guess that means I am on the lower rate right now? I'll try calling 105.

Talldave

Gerry1 said:

Have you confirmed from the bill that it's the night rate?  Rate 1 and Rate 2 are meaningless, either can be the night rate.  You need to find out when the meter is supposed to switch (Dial 105) and watch it change over at both the relevant times.

http://alancordwell.co.uk/Legacy/radio/teleswitch1.html

It's cheap rate when the red lever (below '80A') is down.

The rates are very meaningful if there's a dedicated E7 circuit associated with one of them - ie: the immersion is only "on" when night rate is active?  Or have I misunderstood the situation?