Storage Heaters Not Working Since Smart Meter Installed

ForestBluebells

I switched energy tariff a few months ago and the new tariff needed a smart meter which has been installed. It’s finally starting to get chilly so I tried to turn my storage heaters on and none of them work now. I’m assuming they have not connected them to the meter or something like that? 

I don’t understand how these things work but the fuse switch it on and that’s the only thing I can think of that would be causing the issue?

Neil_Jones

Storage heaters (assuming Eco 7) charge up during the overnight period and release heat gradually throughout the day.  So if you switch them on now they don't have any heat to kick out as they haven't generated any.

You should find if you leave them on they'll start kicking heat out tomorrow once you've gone through the charge-up cycle overnight.

macman

Is the MCB that controls the NSH circuits switched to 'on' on your CU (fuse box)? Does the neon on the FCU illuminate overnight once E7 kicks in (normally between midnight and one am)?
Has the smart meter got 5 ports coming from the base? an E7 meter has 5, a single rate meter has 4. It's possible they've fitted the wrong meter.
Post a pic of your meter showing the ports and better advice can be given.
This assumes that you have already tried charging them overnight? 

ForestBluebells

Neil_Jones said:

Storage heaters (assuming Eco 7) charge up during the overnight period and release heat gradually throughout the day.  So if you switch them on now they don't have any heat to kick out as they haven't generated any.

You should find if you leave them on they'll start kicking heat out tomorrow once you've gone through the charge-up cycle overnight.

I have had them turned on for 2 days, none turn on

ForestBluebells

macman said:

Is the MCB that controls the NSH circuits switched to 'on' on your CU (fuse box)? Does the neon on the FCU illuminate overnight once E7 kicks in (normally between midnight and one am)?
Has the smart meter got 5 ports coming from the base? an E7 meter has 5, a single rate meter has 4. It's possible they've fitted the wrong meter.
Post a pic of your meter showing the ports and better advice can be given.
This assumes that you have already tried charging them overnight? 

MWT

Looks like you have a 4 port meter and a contactor only partially wired up...

Mostly I suspect because you have a 4 port meter...

MWT

macman said:

Has the smart meter got 5 ports coming from the base? an E7 meter has 5, a single rate meter has 4. It's possible they've fitted the wrong meter.

You can have E7 on a 4 port meter, you just can't have a contactor for NSH from a 4 port meter...

ForestBluebells

So I need them to come back and connect it properly/install a different meter?

Mister_G

Yes, they should have fitted a 5 port meter.  The trouble is that these appear to be in short supply.  You'll need to get on to your electricity supplier to sort it out.

thorganby

Your smart meter picture shows that despite the rubbish the energy companies repeatedly tell us, they actually employ cowboys to fit them, who just don't care and are only interested in getting to the next job on their list.

Shame on your supplier and MeterFit20 Ltd leaving you with no heating!

Claim compensation from your supplier.

Talldave

It looks as if they've only connected up the 24hr side of your consumer unit!  That meter should be capable of E7, but the contactor needs a feed and a control signal.  They need to come back and do the job properly. 

Are you being billed on an E7 tariff? I only ask because, if not, that might be the second half of the battle - getting the meter and your account into E7 mode!