Economy 7 question.

SmithyST170

Gerry1 said:

They don't really have to do anything before switching to single rate: they can always switch back if they don't like it.  However, it's a good idea to check that it would be cheaper for them based on the proportion used at night, but as they have GCH that's pretty much a certainty now with the new E7 rates.

They might also be interested in having monthly billing so that it's easier to check consumption, and perhaps Variable Direct Debit where you pay for the amount you've used since the last reading, just like a petrol pump.  For example, bills are easier to understand with Variable Direct Debit and they won't end up with BG sitting on a pile of their money, but there will be big bills in the winter and smaller ones in the summer.

You might wish to consider setting up an online account for them so that you can phone them every month to get the readings and you then log in and enter those readings.  You can then do the sums to confirm that single rate is working out cheaper.

BTW, do make sure that they are on BG's Priority Services Register if they qualify.

Many thanks Gerry1, you've been very helpful. Yeah I'll sort out the online account and monthly billing. My Mum is going to call BG on Monday and sort it. 

When they've been switched for a while I'll post on this thread again to update how it's going. 

Thanks again 👍🏻

SmithyST170

Gerry1- these are their two latest bills. I can't get my head around the day and night usage. Night consumption is far more than in the day. 

Surely there is a mix up somewhere? 

EssexHebridean

That’s a lot of use for that six month period - far more than I would use in that time even allowing for my mostly-electric set up.  a quick bit of maths also suggests to me that if that use is genuine, and they are using that day/night split, then they would be very much better off staying on E7. 

The question is - what are they using so much electricity on? 

Officer_Dibble

11 units a day for those 6 months - not exactly over the top is it?

EssexHebridean

Officer_Dibble said:

11 units a day for those 6 months - not exactly over the top is it?

For a house with gas in place for heating and hot water, and with such a high use during the off peak period, it sounds fairly high to me? Those readings also really don’t tie in with the assertion in the OP that they use almost nothing overnight. 

Gerry1

Ideally you need a whole year's billing to see the full picture, but their electricity consumption is heading for about twice the average for a property with gas, so that doesn't look right unless they live in a mansion.  Similarly, the night / day ratio is crazy.

You need to check for two problems which are not rare.  Firstly, make sure that it really is their electricity meter (especially if it's not within their property, e.g. in an external cupboard or meter room); it's quite possible to be paying for another property's use, especially if the other property's bills are low and therefore they feel no need to cut down on their usage.  Secondly, the registers may be reversed (night register recording the day usage).  It would also be useful to see their gas usage: if it's low for the type of property and number of occupants that may suggest unwitting use of electric heating somewhere.

See whether the Meter Sanity Test reveals anything.  It's possible to have the meter tested or to buy a meter (they're quite cheap) and have electrician wire it in series, but this should be a last resort when all other checks have been made.

SmithyST170

EssexHebridean said:

That’s a lot of use for that six month period - far more than I would use in that time even allowing for my mostly-electric set up.  a quick bit of maths also suggests to me that if that use is genuine, and they are using that day/night split, then they would be very much better off staying on E7. 

The question is - what are they using so much electricity on? 

I know for a fact that the bulk of the electricity they use is during the daytime - washing machine, tumble dryer, oven, kettle etc. 

From around November until Spring a dehumidifier runs in one room through the night but even that is on a stat so is never running all the time.   

They live in a flat and never leave lights on or waste electricity so I'm baffled to be honest. 

EssexHebridean

Tumble drier - do they use that a lot? Also - do they have an electric shower, or one fed from their gas boiler? As mentioned, it might also be worth checking whether they use any secondary heating - a lot of people assume it’s cheaper to top up the temperature with electric heaters rather than just turning the GCH up a degree. 

Gerry’s advice re the meter is good -  it sounds to me as though their day/night readings could well be transposed as suggested. If that is the case, then flagging it to the supplier could see a high correction bill being raised so proceed with caution. It’s probably not going to be possible to let the situation carry on forever though. 

On the dehumidifier - mine running for a 7 hour period overnight shows about 1.2kWh consumption as a rule.

SmithyST170

Gerry1 said:

Ideally you need a whole year's billing to see the full picture, but their electricity consumption is heading for about twice the average for a property with gas, so that doesn't look right unless they live in a mansion.  Similarly, the night / day ratio is crazy.

You need to check for two problems which are not rare.  Firstly, make sure that it really is their electricity meter (especially if it's not within their property, e.g. in an external cupboard or meter room); it's quite possible to be paying for another property's use, especially if the other property's bills are low and therefore they feel no need to cut down on their usage.  Secondly, the registers may be reversed (night register recording the day usage).  It would also be useful to see their gas usage: if it's low for the type of property and number of occupants that may suggest unwitting use of electric heating somewhere.

See whether the Meter Sanity Test reveals anything.  It's possible to have the meter tested or to buy a meter (they're quite cheap) and have electrician wire it in series, but this should be a last resort when all other checks have been made.

Gerry - They live in a housing association rented flat with the meter being in a cupboard in the kitchen so only they have access to it. 

We've been thinking that the day / night readings are reversed. 

If the readings are reversed would they be liable to a huge amount of back payment to British Gas??

I'm going to download the British Gas app and have a look at all the bills. I'll screenshot a sample and post then here. 

I'll also do the Meter Sanity test 👍🏻

SmithyST170

EssexHebridean said:

Tumble drier - do they use that a lot? Also - do they have an electric shower, or one fed from their gas boiler? As mentioned, it might also be worth checking whether they use any secondary heating - a lot of people assume it’s cheaper to top up the temperature with electric heaters rather than just turning the GCH up a degree. 

Gerry’s advice re the meter is good -  it sounds to me as though their day/night readings could well be transposed as suggested. If that is the case, then flagging it to the supplier could see a high correction bill being raised so proceed with caution. It’s probably not going to be possible to let the situation carry on forever though. 

On the dehumidifier - mine running for a 7 hour period overnight shows about 1.2kWh consumption as a rule.

EssexHebridean- The tumble drier is used regularly at this time of year, obviously less so in the warmer months. 

There is no electric shower, only a bath and there is an electric fire in the living room which has been used only a handful of times since it was installed in 2008 but hasn't been used at all in the past year. 

I asked Gerry but have now seen what you've said regarding a high correction bill but as you say, it needs sorting.