Two electricity meters

gj373

Hi

I wonder if anyone could advise. I have an outbuilding on my property that has its own electricity meter that has very low usage. In the past this was never a big deal but with the huge increase in daily standing change I'm looking at how to save some money.

So two questions...

Are there any no standing charge tariffs I could use in this scenario?

What would be steps / costs involved in merging the circuits and removing the redundant meter? Any thoughts on costs involved in that?

Thanks

QrizB

The only current tariff with a low or no standing charge that anyone has mentioned recently is through Utilita. This is likely to mean getting a smart meter and moving to prepayment.

Connecting the outbuilding to your domestic circuit will mean employing a qualified electrician to link the two up, most probably using armoured cable in a trench. How far apart are they, and so you also own all the land in-between?

gj373

Thanks for the reply.

the two meters are not far apart (maybe about 20 to 30 feet) and yes I own the land.

What about removing the meter physically and from "the system"? Is it the local carrier that would do that?

QrizB

The meter will need to be removed by your current supplier.

pochase

Probably connecting the outbuilding will be in the long term the cheaper solution.

Utilita doe snot charge a standing charge, but the first 2KWh per day are more expensive, so expensive that the difference makes up for the standing charge. So even if you use only a few times a month electricity, you will pay a standing charge on those days.

Also it seems Utilita will only accept you if you are already on prepaid.

SAC2334

QrizB said:

The meter will need to be removed by your current supplier.

Electric Meter removals are carried out by occupiers local DNO ,( District Network Operator  not the supplier .

Contacting the supplier would just slow down the process as they then have to contact the DNO . 
prices quoted at my local DNO , Northern Powergrid charge £600 for a disconnection, average £750 with a 25 day wait for a quote. 

pochase

SAC2334 said:

QrizB said:

The meter will need to be removed by your current supplier.

Electric Meter removals are carried out by occupiers local DNO ,( District Network Operator  not the supplier .

Contacting the supplier would just slow down the process as they then have to contact the DNO . 
prices quoted at my local DNO , Northern Powergrid charge £600 for a disconnection, average £750 with a 25 day wait for a quote. 

I thought the prices you were quoting were to high, but after checking they seem to be more on the low side.

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/disconnect/time-and-cost

gj373

pochase said:

SAC2334 said:

QrizB said:

The meter will need to be removed by your current supplier.

Electric Meter removals are carried out by occupiers local DNO ,( District Network Operator  not the supplier .

Contacting the supplier would just slow down the process as they then have to contact the DNO . 
prices quoted at my local DNO , Northern Powergrid charge £600 for a disconnection, average £750 with a 25 day wait for a quote. 

I thought the prices you were quoting were to high, but after checking they seem to be more on the low side.

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/disconnect/time-and-cost

Wow looks like it would be years until I'd get my money back. Will hold off for now in the hope that some no standing charge tariffs become available again over the next year or so

Alnat1

Would this work - get the trench dug and the supply to the outbuilding coming off the house supply. Switch the outbuilding meter to Utilita, they will only charge if you actually use  electric, which you won't because nothing is connected to that meter.

pochase

I think the chance for no standing charge tariffs will be zero for the next years. Starting in April the standing charge for electricity will be increased again by 11p for the next 5 years to pay back the £200 loan/no loan in October.

Anybody have a idea if the @gj373 will qualify for this for the second meter? 

SAC2334

pochase said:

SAC2334 said:

QrizB said:

The meter will need to be removed by your current supplier.

Electric Meter removals are carried out by occupiers local DNO ,( District Network Operator  not the supplier .

Contacting the supplier would just slow down the process as they then have to contact the DNO . 
prices quoted at my local DNO , Northern Powergrid charge £600 for a disconnection, average £750 with a 25 day wait for a quote. 

I thought the prices you were quoting were to high, but after checking they seem to be more on the low side.

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/disconnect/time-and-cost

That price I quoted is direct from Northern Powergrid website /  disconnections.
Connections are well over the £1000 .Maybe try another DNO website  .They should all be similar I would have thought . Going through a "middleman " like a supplier or UKpowernetwork may add costs 
It does not have to be done by the suppliers or DNO s.Private companies can do it. Crown Utilities advertise connections/disconnections .Maybe they re more competitive