Dimplex and British Gas create new tariff for Dimplex Quantum Storage heaters

TheElectricCow

Thanks to QrizB’s link this is what I’ve got for Eastern:

A two year (ish) fix, interestingly with no exit fees. Day rate isn’t bad either. Edf SVTs included below for comparison. I’d say on the whole this one easily rivals EDF Eastern, which as far as I’m aware is still the lowest E7 night rate around (notably being cheaper than gas last winter).

Scot_39

Thanks @QrizB for that day rate price info.

The first time I read the BG info - I couldn't see day or night rates quoted.

That 35p is definitely more typical E7 day than standard single rate - but not as high as some with near or sub 10p - pushing nearer to 40p these days. It certainly clarifies the line from one of above (edit) "linked articles"

"Heavily discounted night-time rate for the whole property from British Gas, with day-rate in line with the standard tariff"

I suppose that would be versus the BG standard tariff E7 day rate - not the single rate.

10p vs 35p beats many a c14-16p off peak vs c34-36p split E7 deals elsewhere -  and 4-5p over a couple of 1000+ off peak - not just NSH heat consumption - could mount - say 2000 @ 5p = £100 pa.

And potentially solves another quandry that some might face - those with EVs and NSH - regarding best tariff question.

So yes - non trivial in £s savings - so should be welcomed - but on down side dwarfed by the likely premium price of kit - cf other cheaper - if not fully equivalent options - for those not already invested in right kit.

This tariff still - at least currently - suggests fixed E7 hours (12.30am - 7.30am) - and makes no mention of GMT / DST (neither does BG 5 hr EV deal iirc).  But I guess they would be optimising the quantum charge within that period - as many likely only needing a fraction of E7s 7 hours available - for many of the "heating" months. 

I am not convinced the in my case likely savings (even over my 18p E10 rate - let alone my suppliers 14p E7 rate here ) from tariff itself would make me rush out and buy new premium priced Quantum RF and the now essential hub (itself another £165). Or equally move to BG (given past issues with billing accuracy and debt with mums account - and their more recent E7 issues (which I guess are hopefully in the past for current installs - seem to see a lot less complaints here of late).

But it's certainly another major development to watch with interest for those (and it's likely to be an increasing number over time) likely to be reliant on non mains gas options - including electric heating.

And hope other electric suppliers and NSH manufacturers might come to similar deals.  

Others like Octopus may/could say design something to sit on top of say a variant of agile - not only rate - but meter ALCS or or more likely - smart heater charge switching - given their day ahead pricing model - picking the optimal hours.  (The smart meter spec at one stage allowed meters to remotely control - over HAN - upto iirc 5 auxilliary devices)

In the same way EV and in case of Octopus - even intelligent variable time EV charging - tariff deals are now spreading more widely.

I know will certainly look at what options like this may be around - if and when forced to consider the upgrade (my current next hurdle / fear is potential loss of E10 at next meter upgrade).

My last quote for upgrade c2019/20 - was not the RF - but cheaper standard model - the smart hub features themselves at time were not that appealing. Only see RFs for sale now - and the large model near  £1000 retail not fitted - and so had been thinking of perhaps cheaper lot 20 options - non HHR - like the slimline / XLE or sister co. Creda TSRE to help cut future costs - at least for halls if not living room.

Cynically this may in part just be a clever - and perhaps again worryingly potentially short term (*) - upselling marketing move by Dimplex - forcing more to go to their premium range. 

 (*) As above post previous supplier tie in's with iirc Ovo (**?) and EDF tariff trials - just seemed to fizzle out - and fixed / installed domestic heating is a long term investment / decision.

(** Ovo iirc even offered a packaged installation of tariff and kit - so heaters, hub and router/modem iirc for centralised control).

Spoonie_Turtle

Scot_39 said:

It certainly clarifies the line from above

"Heavily discounted night-time rate for the whole property from British Gas, with day-rate in line with the standard tariff"

I suppose that would be versus the BG standard tariff E7 day rate - not the single rate.

In which case I revise my previous statement and retract 'amazing'; it just sounds like a decent deal for people with the right kit.

For reference the Eastern rates quoted to me are

Day unit rate	35.319p per kWh
Night unit rate	9.999p per kWh
Standing charge	48.591p per day

Standard E7:

Day unit rate	35.541p per kWh
Night unit rate	14.611p per kWh
Standing charge	44.028p per day

And out of curiosity, the single rate SVT here for BG is  27.932p per kWh 44.020p per day

Scot_39

Sorry @Spoonie_Turtle

That line wasn't quoted from your post direct - but one of the linked articles.

It wasn't meant as an attack - just a comment.

It's still a pretty good deal - for those with the kit - in the same way a cheaper E7 deal night rate can be good for those even with batteries - or good export rates are good for those with solar panels.

It's just I fear many with expensive electric heating - are not in the premium product arena - or even in control of their own heating methods (council, HA and private tennants etc). And whilst some of those bodies upgrade old NSH for new - others are sadly replacing old NSH with day rate radiator / convection panels just based on capital cost (they themselves after all don't pay the bills - and would only pass the additional capital costs on to tennants in rent anyway).

Spoonie_Turtle

Scot_39 said:

Sorry @Spoonie_Turtle

That line wasn't quoted from your post direct - but one of the linked articles.

It wasn't meant as an attack - just a comment.

Oh goodness no I didn't think it was at all! No I was just responding to the new information that clarified what the tariff actually was.  All good!

Kid_Icarus

TheElectricCow said:

That’s a very competitive tariff, it certainly rivals some of the Octo offerings at the moment. Anyone with Quantums currently on SVT/E7 should definitely give it a look, I’d personally be jumping on it if in a position to do so.

In fact with an off-peak of 9.9p that’s at least comparable to gas heating prices and possibly even beats gas in some regions when accounting for efficiency loss. If the on-peak really is SVT too then there’s not much to lose either by the sound of it.

My only reservation would be that it’s being offered by BG, who have a bit of a reputation around here for  struggling with E7 smart meters. The potential billing issues may not be worth it for some unless they’ve finally got over their problems.

Agreed - I’m going to give it a go.  I did consider the Octopus tarrifs and also another BG EV tariff, however that BG tariff only gives 5hrs off peak, whereas this Dimplex one gives 7hrs.  With the BST offset I should be able to get off peak upto ~08:30 in the summer/BST period which means cheap showers in the mornings.

The problem with Octopus I feel is that their very cheap periods seem to be, from what I’ve read on the boards, variable - on day X it could be between say 02:30 > 07:30 and the next day 01:00 > 07:00This would mean reprogramming the quantum’s every day with the correct off-peak period and the only way to do this is going into Settings on each Quantum, and then setting the off-peak time for that day.  I’ve not seen anywhere in the Dimplex app the ability to do this (in this particular property, each heater has only a single supply cable rather than off-peak and 24hr supply.  It was far easier and much less messy to move each quantum onto the 24hr side CU, and do away with the night board rather than chase out plasterboard walls and run a new cable.  One heater in particular has a very long cable run back to the CU and would make a hell of a mess.

So let’s see what happens.  Either way, it is really great to see new tarrifs like this come along & see technology like the Dimplex hub/quantums being used for demand side management & reducing customer bills.  Hopefully we’ll see more innovative stuff like this coming soon.

ccaasjf

Has anyone else had any problems registering for this tariff? I have used BG web site, input my HUB ID and PIN to check eligibility and get referred to a phone number. We have 4@G8 Dimplex Quantums installed last December and have the hub as well.

Our experience of these RADS has been great, we had a few installation issues caused by our installer which were noise related issues, GD sent there engineers out to fix them, since then they have been great. Looks like we are saving about 25% compared to the previous Creda Units, can control the heat as and when we want it and they are just a pleasure to use, I also installed some instant heat panel heaters Rointe wall mounted which are also very good but we are hardly having to use them. 

Overall they were well worth the money.

Matt3424

It’s a bit of a con only G9 quantum heaters work, to upgrade G6-G8 heaters requires a new control panel at £160 each and that’s not fitted, also if you already have a smart meter you can’t join 

Scot_39

Do you know why they wont accept existing meters ?

Is it technical ?


Perhaps BG just a little wary about taking on non standard e7 meters given past problems.

There were many adversely  impacted with e7 metering issues at BGas judging by past threads here and few specialty press articles.

Others have reported inconsistent operation around time slots on BG EV tariffs with legacy cf BGs own meter installs etc.

Taff76

Matt3424 said:

It’s a bit of a con only G9 quantum heaters work, to upgrade G6-G8 heaters requires a new control panel at £160 each and that’s not fitted, also if you already have a smart meter you can’t join 

This is my dilemma: I purchased 2 x Quantum qm150rf's from TLC Direct on December 8th with the intention of joining the BG/Dimplex tariff. I didn't realize they sold me Series G7 Quantums that are 15 months outdated compared to the latest Series G12 and are not compatible with this tariff.  Currently paying £0.15 off peak so will make a huge difference if/when I can join This tariff.

 I've spoken to Dimplex, who don't have the control panels in stock. Also waiting to hear from TLC to see what they have to say about selling me outdated heaters. 🤷‍♂️

On a positive note, the Quantums are great, and the 2 heaters heat my whole flat, which is what I hoped they would do.