Heating control energy meter

Joe_Buchan

My daughter has been with (SSE) since 1997 and she can’t move to another provider because she has two meters. One meter is called (standard energy) and the other one is called (heating control energy). Even worse, SSE told her the only tariff they can offer her is one that includes broadband and she can’t take that because she’s on contract to Vodaphone. it all seems so unfair. They told her they could give her a new standard meter but she will have to pay someone to rewire her house. I called an electrician on her behalf and he said, “Tell me what needs done and I’ll do it”. Trouble is, we have no idea what needs done or where to start. Why can't SSE do this after being with them for 24 years. Does anyone have any knowledge of this issue, it’s been ongoing for years and she’s stressed out of her box about it.

Gerry1

SSE are wrong.

Restricted Meter Good Practice Guide.pdf 

Ofgem: RHT must offer single rate

Victory: 2 MPANs but one SC

They're on the naughty step for poor performance (you can go the the ombudsman after six weeks, not the usual eight) so it seems they are not getting much better.

Joe_Buchan

That information was very helpful Gerry, I will get right onto it.

QrizB

Gerry's given you all the right info, but if your daughter does want to get rid of the Heating Control meter then in most cases the rewiring is pretty straightforward. It means moving a set of tails. Barring any nasty complications (like the meter cupboard being full of asbestos) it shouldn't take more than an hour or so.

Note: I'm not an electrician, but before Part P came in I did something similar as a DIYer.

Gerry1

If she has storage heaters (probably on E10 or a similar legacy tariff) the problem is likely to be that they are under dimensioned for Economy 7 and will go cool by the evening.  The SSE single rate tariff may also be disappointing, you'll have to do the sums to see what the best solution is.  Devil, deep blue sea...

Often the least worst answer is to switch to E7 and add some extra NSH capacity. Although not cheap, something like Dimplex Quantum may be worth considering because they are fan assisted which means that less heat is wasted overnight when it's not needed.

They also have a inbuilt convector so if you mess up and it's chilly in the evening you can top up, although this will be at expensive daytime rates.  The great benefit of E7 is that you can switch to any supplier, you're not held hostage.

Joe_Buchan

Thanks guys for all your help. After reading the documentation, I discovered they can send Energy Liaison Officers to homes with electric heating, perhaps that's the simplest way forward.

Fyne

I also have a THTC Meter and SSE want to increase my charges after my fixed rate ends July by 18%. I called 03450717818 and they offered a call back from their specialist heating team. The did eventually call back and spoke about Economy 10 meter, which could be an option if your daughter has storage heaters. The could not do anything for me as I need the cheaper rate 24 hours a day as I have underfloor electric heating. 

I am in the process of moving my supply to EDF as based on my annual use will overall work out cheaper that SSE last year. My annual split is 25% standard and 75% THTC. I arranged this through EDF's Complex Metering Team phone number 03330096980.

Good luck.