Stuck on an economy 7 meter

moneypenny2k

This post is going to make me sound like a total twonk but I'd really appreciate any insights anyone who has had experience of this kind of thing.  Sorry it's a long story but I don't want to leave anything important out.

I bought a new flat and moved in just 3 weeks before the first lockdown.  I'd totally gutted and remodeled the flat, with the help of builders, I'm a 60+ disabled person and when I moved in there was still work to do that was delayed by Covid, this took most of my energy.

When i moved in, I didn't know who the electricity supplier was and it took me a while to sort it out.  Whilst lockdown was in place, I found that I couldn't get a swap as my credit meter was listed as a pay as you go meter.  I didn't have a key so I kept on paying the monthly direct debits.

It was only when I tried to swap from the original supplier as they just didn't do anything and long phone calls had not moved the situation on that I finally got a swap by the look after my bills people.  It was then that I found out that I'm on an economy 7 meter.  As I don't have any night storage heaters this seems rather odd but it seems to be what I've inherited.

The problem is that I've been asking to be moved onto a single rate tariff but they just keep saying that I have to wait till they can put a smart meter in and they have a long backlog and they don't know when it will be.  In the meantime, I'm paying more for my electricity than I need to.  This is great for the energy co but not so great for me.

Does anyone have any insight or knowledge that may help me to speed up the process of getting to a single meter?

Thanks for bearing with me.

QrizB

You can definitely be on a single rate with an E7 meter, we regularly get people here saying that they are and want to swap to E7 instead!

Have you tried switching supplier? Give one or both of these sites a go:

https://energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk/

https://switch.which.co.uk/

QrizB

PS this is the "LPG and other fuels" section, electricity gets discussed more here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/energy

dunstonh

 It was then that I found out that I'm on an economy 7 meter.  As I don't have any night storage heaters this seems rather odd but it seems to be what I've inherited.

It's not a problem.  You can be on a single price tariff with an E7 meter.

The problem is that I've been asking to be moved onto a single rate tariff but they just keep saying that I have to wait till they can put a smart meter in

That is not required.   I wonder if they are trying to bump you into a smart meter.

If it's a digital meter (which it sounds like it would be if you only recently moved to it), then tell your supplier which tariff you want.  If they refuse then go elsewhere.   The only thing you do with an e7 meter on a single charge tariff is that you have to give both readings.   However, the supplier applies the same rate to both readings.   Easy.

moneypenny2k

QrizB said:

PS this is the "LPG and other fuels" section, electricity gets discussed more here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/energy

Thanks, appreciate it. Can I blame cabin fever after having isolated for 8 days despite being double jabbed?  Yep part of the pingdemic

J_B

QrizB said:

You can definitely be on a single rate with an E7 meter,.............

dunstonh said:

It's not a problem.  You can be on a single price tariff with an E7 meter.

Many years ago, we had an E7 meter. It was a digital one that scrolled round Day/Night/Total

I suggested to the company that I merely use the 'total' reading, but they said that was not possible and sent someone out to replace it with one of the 'old fashioned' spinning wheel types, which we still have today!

dunstonh

Many years ago, we had an E7 meter. It was a digital one that scrolled round Day/Night/Total
I suggested to the company that I merely use the 'total' reading, but they said that was not possible and sent someone out to replace it with one of the 'old fashioned' spinning wheel types, which we still have today!

It is correct that you cannot use the total reading.   However, it works fine if you use the Day & Night readings in their respective boxes and the supplier applies the same rate to both.      It wasn't necessary to replace the digital meter.

J_B

dunstonh said:

It is correct that you cannot use the total reading.   However, it works fine if you use the Day & Night readings in their respective boxes and the supplier applies the same rate to both.      It wasn't necessary to replace the digital meter.

Sadly, my supplier of the time didn't agree with you, so, a new meter it was!  🤷‍♂️

dunstonh

J_B said:

dunstonh said:

It is correct that you cannot use the total reading.   However, it works fine if you use the Day & Night readings in their respective boxes and the supplier applies the same rate to both.      It wasn't necessary to replace the digital meter.

Sadly, my supplier of the time didn't agree with you, so, a new meter it was!  🤷‍♂️

Ours had no issue and nor did the other suppliers used in the past.    Such as waste of resources to put you on a different meter like that when it wasn't necessary.