3 rates meter - SSE/OVO refuse to change

AngryArmadillo

Hi, is one here using OVO (ex-SSE) Superdeal 3-rates tariff (electric heating only: day rate, night rate, stored heat rate)? I find it being extremely expensive but they can't offer me a different tariff because I'm using very old type of meter (with 3 rates), and they can't replace the existing meter with a smart meter as well. They say different things every time I call them, the latest message was they couldn't replace my meter before Jan 2024, so no options at all until then. I also tried calling Octopus, and when they got to know that I was using 3-rates meter they said they couldn't help me and I should contact my existing supplier to replace the meter first. I feel myself running in circles... 

If somebody had the same issue, how did you solve it? How can I push them to do something? 

molerat

Unfortunately the only option you can force is onto a single rate tariff, they must offer you that under the restricted metering rules.  Have you calculated how much that would cost against your current tariff ?  It does seem there is a shortage of some types of smart meters.  Also do you know what, if anything, would need to be done to your wiring for a meter change ?

Scot_39

I am not sure how your rates would compare say to the equivalent E7 rates.

It would be interesting to know what - if anything SSE are working on for the Jan 2024 date.

But there are many other complex / RM (Restricted Meters) systems in place with other suppliers - like Scottish Power.  And many of those are RTS controlled (which sounds like SSE Flexiheat could be - as mentions day to day timing - so that may be their priority for any upgrades in near future) - which suppliers are under pressure to resolve - or at least replace - currently by end of March 24 target date (before BBC LW signalling is switched off - but that RTS meter day could yet slip - again).

The problem is that although in theory a smart meter could do the job - some suppliers have even had trouble getting E7 smart roll out working over last 12-18 months (iirc BG got many complaints posted here?) - and some of their customers were still trying to resolve the billing issues that caused months after.

And you need to worry not just about tariffs - but in many cases device power switching at the off peak rate for heating and hot water (to avoid running them at - in case of modern E7 - premium peak daytime rates)

Superdeal if anything is probably the simpler of SSE's 3 rate deals to find something vaguely close to compared to their flexiheat (which sounds a bit more like a RTS based system - giving flexible times and low cost weekends - iirc as does EDF2020 - but again the devil is in the detail)

https://sse.co.uk/help/electric-heating/three-rate-tariffs

There are past threads on this - and I have never seen a clear definition of how exactly the three rates apply - i.e. whether the heating rates only apply to a seperate switched heating output - only live for the 7 hours - which would be my default assumption - given the seond night rate (and my old 2 meter heatiwse RTS system )?

But the most common RM for NSH type installations is now E7 (about 3.5m of the 4m RM c2020 accorsing to Ofgem) and that is only a dual rate system - so day peak rate and off-peak overnight.  And a couple of posters have been forced off of E10 etc when put on a new smart meter - as that was configured for E7.

And whilst that normally operates split circuits for homes with electric heating - either with meter based load switching - providing a seprate switched supply to HW and NSH (typically) or feeding whole house - it can operate more simply - needing matched device timers on immersion and NSH if not.

Assuming you need a seperate switched "heating" supply - E7 could now be done using a 5 port smart meter with built in load switching - or a 4 port meter with external controlled contactor - to handle the heating circuits seperately at the off peak rate only.

But E7 rates are very variable by region and supplier - and the cheapest night rate offers - come with correspondingly more expensive day oops edit "rates".

EDF And Octopus both publish their rates for E7 so you might want to compare to see how those compare in your region to what you currently pay for your 3 rates

These are a link to EDF's October rates - so a bit cheaper than current

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/dm1903_standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_rate_card._for_customers_with_standard_e7_smart_payg_and_prepayment_meters.pdf

These are Octopus's July rates - more directly comparable perhaps.

https://octopus.energy/blog/energy-price-cap-july-2023/

Did SSE ever suggest E7 as an alternative ?

And the other obvious caveat is - do you ever plan in near future to say upgrade heating to say an ASHP based solution ?

Mytchett

There appears to be an industry directive that a superdeal meter can only by changed with a 5 port smart meter running Economy 7 tariff/switching times.  You are part of a large group of superdeal meter users who are being short changed as the Econ 7 gives you less off peal hours than your old meter..a backward step that will cost you money.

It will be interesting to see if this posting gets support as the real way forward is a class complaint to Ofgen.

Please note that there is no technical problem in installing a 5 port smart meter running the eco 10 times/billing as I have a fully functional smart meter running in my house which directly replicated my old dumb eco 10 meter.  So it can be done.