Moving off economy 7 and storage heaters

[Deleted User]

I’ve moved into an electric only flat, on same tariff as previous tenant. I’ve checked kWh for the past 4 months (3 warmer and 1 colder with storage heater on) and I’m about 50- 50% day and night. Typically water, storage heaters, phone charging and once a week laundry is done at night. Day time is cooking/ laptop/ cups of tea etc. No tv or other electronics. I’ve checked comparison sites and the recommended cheapest tariff is a non economy 7. I’ve done the maths based on my usage (ive done meter readings each month) and it does work out cheaper on a flat tariff.

 I’m now looking at moving away from storage heaters (I know they are deemed as cheapest because of economy 7 cheap rate), but I only use 1/4 heaters in the flat and would prefer to wear a jumper and put heating on for 1-2 hours a night rather than blast dry heat all day and night long. I have the usual gripe with the SH- they are bulky, ugly, limit where I can place furniture. Mine are basic on/ off so there is no temp or time control. They are often cool by around 7pm, and I’m finding my skin and throat has been dry since putting on the heater a month ago. If it’s cheaper for me to be on a flat tariff, should i switch at least the main SH over to an electric panel type? I believe the other 3 heaters would need to be rewired, as they are plugged into off peak socket only. But honestly I’ve not bothered using them at all this year, and would probably leave until next year. I’ve asked a couple of electricians to come out, and they have all advised it’s worth upgrading away from SH to gain more control over temp and time. Another option would be to buy a cheap Argos heater and just use that in the evenings for a heat boost- although I would prefer to have an integrated heating system rather than rely on portable heaters. 

Could anyone help with the question of moving from eco7, and replacing SH. Thanks! 

Gerry1

You don't have to change the meter, many suppliers will happily charge the same rate for both registers.  But not Bulb.

However, single rate is likely to bankrupt you.  Forget charging things at night, the savings are imperceptible (unless it's an EV).

And don't forget that the immersion heater will also cost a lot more at single rate; I trust it's on an E7 circuit and any Boost switch is left permanently off?

Start comparing using Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?'.  I doubt very much that single rate will be cheaper with 50% night usage.

[Deleted User]

Sorry I dont think I explained clearly....I’m already on the flat tariff (igloo) with the old eco7 meter (I submit both night and day readings and the energy company just consolidate). My calculations so far using both the cheapest eco7 tariff and my current tariff (igloo) work out I’m better off on the flat tariff based on my current usage (which surprised me, but I’m going on 4 months of data and not a full year). It seems if this continues and flat rate is indeed cheaper for me, where is the benefit of remaining on storage heaters? (Im only using 1 of the 4 storage heaters in the flat).

[Deleted User]

The day night energy split is 33% night time during 3 warmer months. 62% night time during past 1 colder month. Average 45% night time over past 4 months 

macman

You can't project 4 months consumption up to a full year, because the usage will soar in the winter months. In the summer months, all you'll be using on cheap rate is the immersion heater.
Even the most basic old NSH's should have input and output controls, crude though they are, and often hidden along the back edge.
E7 can be made to pay on as little as 33% night rate usage, depending on the tariff.

[Deleted User]

Thanks! Would you recommend waiting until I have a full years consumption figures and then revisit? I actually just plugged in the current average percentage (45) and projected annual kWh figures into switch with which (recommended above) and Uswitch- bulb economy 7 was cheaper by only £3 a year. Otherwise, it’s telling me I’m on the “correct tariff” for my current use- igloo flat rate. I have someone coming next week to check if the SH needs a replacement part, so that will help with my lack of evening heat. There is no input/ output option, only a 1-6 temperature dial- which makes no difference to the actual heat given off. 

matelodave

Most people use around 65% of their energy between November and March (5 months) and the other 35% between April and October so trying to project what you've used in the past 3-4 months across the winter will be miles out. I'm guessing that you might regret being on a flat tariff when it starts to get really cold and the heaters are on.

You need to do some more meter readings and recording to se how the split varies now that winter is upon us (the coldest months (December- February) are still to come. You may well find that your day/night split goes up to 30/70 and you wont be benefitting from off-peak rates if you are on a flat rate tariff. 

macman

At the very least, you want 3m without heating, and 3m with. 
I'm still puzzled by how you can get as high as 45% on cheap rate and still find single rate cheaper? if you were using the NSH's more widely then that percentage would be much higher now the cold weather has arrived.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, I will monitor over the next couple of months and revisit. It seems it would clearly be cheaper to be eco7 during winter (at around 62% night rate), and flat rate over warmer months (33%). Basically at this point it seems to average out across the year, and I’m only looking at around £110 a year difference max between tariffs. 

Is there a way to estimate the cost of running a newer style electric heater for 1-2 hours a night (vs 24 hour storage heaters)? I’m still struggling with the lack of control and headaches from the dry air. Thanks!