Economy 7 worry

CJScat

dunstonh said:

I know the Economy 7 cost have not be given the same price protection as a the single rates. 

They have been given the same price protection.  However, due to the nature of E7 with its two rates its a bit like a see saw.  The middle point matches the protection of single rate but the dual pricing means as one rate goes up the other rate goes down (or vice versa).  i.e. if the supplier lowers their off peak rate, then the peak rate goes up but by a ratio that sees the median price match the protected price.

E.on tell me my 2 rate readings are not flexible and I have to continue with paying more in the day than at night. They can only help if I change my meter but warn that would mean me paying for a new meter. 

That is not correct.  And I know it as I used to be with E.on and would switch to single rate over summers and back to economy 7 in winter.  It didnt require a meter change each time.    However, I had a digital meter (not smart) and don't have circuit switching. It's all done by timers.  If you have circuit switching, they may argue the need for change.  Although in theory, they could just apply single pricing to both rates (which is what they did for us).

Switching suppliers with E7 is still possible.  And can make a big difference.   So suppliers have gone extremely cheap off peak and expensive peak whilst others have less of a difference.     You can potentially make big savings if you know what your ratio of offpeak and peak use is and switch to a provider that prices well for that ratio.

I will give them.a call again. I was badgered with phone calls to have smart meter and they cancelled in the day arranged to fit. A month later they phoned again to install,  we arranged a date but despite me taking a day off to wait I  they didn't show up. When I complained they told me it wasn't possible for me to have  smart meter installed yet. 
I have an old fashioned 2 figure non digital meter.

CJScat

CJScat said:

Hi I moved into our house a few days before lockdown. The house was on economy 7 with a 2 reading meter. The radiators are just normal and not storage heater. I have a combi boiler for heat,hot water. My electric usage is mainly in the day time hours in kitchen, lights ,TV and audio equipment, chargers etc.  I hate the fire risk of using a wahing machine,drier or dishwasher overnight but do end up using the washer to cut costs . The other devices I have stopped using since the New year die to cost. I know the Economy 7 cost have not be given the same price protection as a the single rates. I feel stuck with no help and rising bills since januray.
I read that the big companies can create a single payment option by combining figures which would be protected as single rates are.
E.on tell me my 2 rate readings are not flexible and I have to continue with paying more in the day than at night. They can only help if I change my meter but warn that would mean me paying for a new meter. 
I exist on just my minimum wage so feel stressed as I can't afford the rising bills and can't pay for a new meter to lessen my bills. 

Tha know so much for the advice . I an going to speak again with them, this time on the phone. 
I've had 2 failed attempts to get a smart meter fitted when they just don't show up to do the job. I will ask again what the options are and if they can help..
The only 2 options I was presented with by the online chat person was to purchase a brand  new meter, because I wasn't entitled to a free update. The other option was to get on with things as they are.  
Thank you all for the advise.

EssexHebridean

CJScat said:

dunstonh said:

I know the Economy 7 cost have not be given the same price protection as a the single rates. 

They have been given the same price protection.  However, due to the nature of E7 with its two rates its a bit like a see saw.  The middle point matches the protection of single rate but the dual pricing means as one rate goes up the other rate goes down (or vice versa).  i.e. if the supplier lowers their off peak rate, then the peak rate goes up but by a ratio that sees the median price match the protected price.

E.on tell me my 2 rate readings are not flexible and I have to continue with paying more in the day than at night. They can only help if I change my meter but warn that would mean me paying for a new meter. 

That is not correct.  And I know it as I used to be with E.on and would switch to single rate over summers and back to economy 7 in winter.  It didnt require a meter change each time.    However, I had a digital meter (not smart) and don't have circuit switching. It's all done by timers.  If you have circuit switching, they may argue the need for change.  Although in theory, they could just apply single pricing to both rates (which is what they did for us).

Switching suppliers with E7 is still possible.  And can make a big difference.   So suppliers have gone extremely cheap off peak and expensive peak whilst others have less of a difference.     You can potentially make big savings if you know what your ratio of offpeak and peak use is and switch to a provider that prices well for that ratio.

I will give them.a call again. I was badgered with phone calls to have smart meter and they cancelled in the day arranged to fit. A month later they phoned again to install,  we arranged a date but despite me taking a day off to wait I  they didn't show up. When I complained they told me it wasn't possible for me to have  smart meter installed yet. 
I have an old fashioned 2 figure non digital meter.

I believe I am correct I saying that you would have been due for some compensation for the failures to keep the appointments. Perhaps someone else can confirm but I seem to recall a figure of £30 which they are supposed to credit to you directly without needing prompting? 

And if your meter is that old, and there are no other barriers to your having a SM fitted, I will suggest that they are outright lying to you when telling you you're not able to have the meter changed. 

diystarter7

CJScat said:

CJScat said:

Hi I moved into our house a few days before lockdown. The house was on economy 7 with a 2 reading meter. The radiators are just normal and not storage heater. I have a combi boiler for heat,hot water. My electric usage is mainly in the day time hours in kitchen, lights ,TV and audio equipment, chargers etc.  I hate the fire risk of using a wahing machine,drier or dishwasher overnight but do end up using the washer to cut costs . The other devices I have stopped using since the New year die to cost. I know the Economy 7 cost have not be given the same price protection as a the single rates. I feel stuck with no help and rising bills since januray.
I read that the big companies can create a single payment option by combining figures which would be protected as single rates are.
E.on tell me my 2 rate readings are not flexible and I have to continue with paying more in the day than at night. They can only help if I change my meter but warn that would mean me paying for a new meter. 
I exist on just my minimum wage so feel stressed as I can't afford the rising bills and can't pay for a new meter to lessen my bills. 

Tha know so much for the advice . I an going to speak again with them, this time on the phone. 
I've had 2 failed attempts to get a smart meter fitted when they just don't show up to do the job. I will ask again what the options are and if they can help..
The only 2 options I was presented with by the online chat person was to purchase a brand  new meter, because I wasn't entitled to a free update. The other option was to get on with things as they are.  
Thank you all for the advise.

Hi
What?? Purchase a brand new meter? You are going to buy one a smart meter?

Never heard of this before!

I am really glad I did not go for a smart meter.

Good luck

Thanks