Economy 7 Smart Meter problems switching suppliers, no functioning heating system

Northern_Wanderer

I know you said you tried Citizen's Advice. I think they should have referred you on to the Extra Help Unit, this is an arm of CAB that deals with complicated energy issues.

See www.ehu.org.uk for further info, you have to be referred to this via CAB but the phone number for CAB is on this website. Good luck. 

NB, is the add links/ url broken? It was directing back to this thread.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

that link not working, (Link null), try THIS.

Scot_39

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

couple of points,

E7 is not complex, it's E10,

BG now have you as single rate, so when trying to switch new supplier will pick that up.

You will need to explain to new supplier the mess you're in.

Good luck.

E7 like other multirate meters are lumped into Ofgems RMI restricted metering class.

But there is certainly a distinction made between E7 (was c85% RM at one stage) and non E7 RM (e10, eco 2020, whitemeter, comfortplus, flexiheat, RTS or fixed times etc etc) users - due to the lower support offered to non E7 customers by regulations - like the fact new suppliers didn't have to support non E7 RMI customers.

E7 with ALCS is certainly a different beast to E7 without. 

But I though E7 was meant to be fully supported by all major suppliers. 


EOn ( not EOnNext) used to use the same smart meter model for E7 alcs as my E10 alcs. Does that really make one complex and one not ?

The heatwise 2 meter rts, was replaced by a single digital then a single smart.  The heatwise was definitely "complex" - so much so 2 meter fitters opener meter cabinet, saw it and left.

And I suspect that would be enough to spook a BGas customer service operative - who probably wouldn't have much of a clue about physical wiring / connectivity.

I had some nonsensical conversations with normal EOn customer service staff - but at the time EOn - and I mean EOn not EOnNext - had a complex metering team.

I am dreading my next meter upgrade - as at least one user posting here with them seems to have lost e10 as part of process.

There were several threads here re problems with BG and smart metering - over last year or so.

This is the first time from memory they seem to have left a customer with no heating output though.

Suggesting they haven't parameterised the alcs 5th port control - assuming its even been wired correctly.

Its not very good for them to argue but it's a SR tariff meter.  If it has a 5th port it's not the meter restricting it.  It's designed for e7 type load switching.


But its equally depressing they will not resolve, and another supplier appears unable to help.  Perhaps those are not part of the over the air updated parameters set.

If can get e7 tariff switching back, even if not the 5th port activated, the OP might be able to get his own timer / contactor fitted to drive nsh consumer unit - akin to the one my 4 port meter drives - but really  - why should they have to pay ?

And if gets nowhere - will another supplier fit a proper e7 alcs meter properly configured for a fee ? Again don't see why OP should have to pay - but they might save it back in unit rates vs SR.

My e10 off peak is c20p vs SR 30p - 10p cheaper - and I am a low heat user - so 75-80% annual off peak.  At 75% that saves on average a lower c5p vs SR.  A cheaper e7 split say edf c15p night - might save 8-9p at 75% 

EssexHebridean

The very worst thing about this is that BG know full well they have issues with E7 and smart meters - why on earth are they still taking on new customers who will be affected by this?! 

Gerry1

Although it's generally a good idea to keep everything in writing it might be worth calling the Priority Services Register on 0800 072 8625.

Tell them that BG have left you with no heating and that if it's not fixed PDQ you'll be contacting your MP.  Mention the MP's name and state that you know they are very effective in getting prompt action in cases such as this !

oldcyclist

Can a smart EDMI ES-12B 5 port E7 meter be remotely converted so that the switched output becomes a permanently ON  supply? My storage heating and hotwater is fed from this via separate consumer unit . I've recently shifted to Octopus E7 but want to move to their Intelligent Go system. ( i do have an ev) I'm aware that I would need individual timers on any devices that don't already have them but the alternative would involve quite a lot of rewiring.

QrizB

oldcyclist said:

Can a smart EDMI ES-12B 5 port E7 meter be remotely converted so that the switched output becomes a permanently ON  supply? My storage heating and hotwater is fed from this via separate consumer unit . I've recently shifted to Octopus E7 but want to move to their Intelligent Go system. ( i do have an ev) I'm aware that I would need individual timers on any devices that don't already have them but the alternative would involve quite a lot of rewiring.

Can it? Almost certainly.

Will Octopus set it up that way for you? No idea, you'll have to ask them.

Not sure how much rewiring you think it'll need, it should jut be (disconnect switched tail from E7 CU) and (connect E7 CU to 24h CU). Of course if your two CUs are in different places, it might get trickier!

Swipe

@LunarViolet What was the outcome of this in the end?