Been offered a smart meter , on economy 7

Rosie1001

So not getting anywhere .. they won’t ring me .. and I don’t get complex metering team people when I call in 

its ridiculous 

inspectorperez

Rosie1001 said:

So not getting anywhere .. they won’t ring me .. and I don’t get complex metering team people when I call in 

its ridiculous 

Very sorry to hear of your dilemma.

Thought I would post on this thread because there appear to be a number of similarities between your circumstances and my own.

I am also with EDF E7 tariff (2 year essentials deal ending April 2026) and have been in dialogue with them for over 2 years, initially due to the constant nagging for smart meter installation on the back of RTS switch off.

Because my night storage heater and hot water timings are dependant on the RTS switch arrangement, and because the meter is installed in a remote location under a concrete stairwell some distance away from the property, I was not convinced that a new smart meter installation would work because of connectivity issues.

To cut a long story short and not digressing into a number of "no show" appointments and difficulties in communicating with EDF staff where English may not have been their first language, I eventually came into contact with a charming lady staff person by means of Whatsapp messaging. This lady was very technically knowledgeable and fully understood my concerns. She eventually arranged an appointment with an EDF installer (from outside the NW area where the property is located), who was fully briefed on the meter set up.

The installation was subsequently completed without much further ado, and to my delight is doing exactly what it should do in switching on night storage heaters and water tank heatings at the appropriate times so far as the E7 tariff is concerned.

What the meter is not doing however, is communicating at the EDF end and they cannot see the 30 minute readings for night and day. TBH, this doesn't really bother me as I have now learned how to navigate through the various menus to obtain the relevant meter readings and submit to EDF each month.

Perhaps this tale might provide you with some small degree of comfort to the extent that you should not be any worse off than you are merely by having a smart meter installed so long as you can access the meter easily to take readings.

In my own case, EDF still want to revisit the property to have another go at commissioning the meter, but I am reluctant to let them have a second bite of the cherry in case they mess the thing up completely!

Rosie1001

Can I ask what type of storage heaters you have , do they have one or two supplies to them ??

do you still get your afternoon boost on your new meter ?? 

Language barrier has been my issue as well , I can’t understand them and they don’t know what I’m trying to say 

what type / series meter do you have … I’ll ask if I can have it installed if I can keep my tarrif or similar to it 

can you pass on the what’s app number please , In box me on here please if you can 

thank you much for your post . That will give me and others hope it can be sorted 

inspectorperez

@Rosie1001 Here is an image of my new meter. I think these meters are rolled out by a few suppliers which I discovered when searching for an instruction manual on how to navigate the various menus.

I actually don't get an afternoon boost. What I do get is 3 time ranges starting at 10.30pm through to 7.30 am from memory. This is probably the norm for NW region I imagine with EDF.

My storage heaters are the old fashioned Dimplex heaters which aren't exactly stylish, but they are extremely reliable and effective. I think they only have one supply to them.


I will try and pm you the Whatsapp number.

The water tank is dependent on the overnight switch which produces a full tank of hot water. If family go to town on shower usage, there is a separate mechanical clock which allows you to heat more water (at daytime rates of course).

Hope this helps

Rosie1001

My heaters are the same as yours ..so are they warm enough with the times  you got now by tea time ??

inspectorperez

Rosie1001 said:

My heaters are the same as yours ..so are they warm enough with the times  you got now by tea time ??

Yes they are. Property is well insulated which helps of course.

Rosie1001

My home is 1900 solid brick with high ceilings … it’s lovely and warm now , but the afternoon  boost does help with that 

Phones4Chris

Rosie1001 said:

My home is 1900 solid brick with high ceilings … it’s lovely and warm now , but the afternoon  boost does help with that 

That type of property and similarly one which doesn't have optimal insulation it likely to suffer somewhat, later on, without the afternoon boost.

Rosie1001

Just spoken to octopus 

they said I am on a economy 10 meter , (even thou I only get 7 hour with edf , 5 hours overnight , 2 hour boost ) that how my meter is listed on the national database she said 

they said I can go on their fix 14 tariff with 7 hours overnight and then get a smart meter installed and change to the SNUG tariff, would need to check cost of changing this 

they were very helpful  ,and the prices work out over £50 a month less than I’m paying now on EDF tariff ..but no afternoon boost to start with …

at least I know I have options , but definitely not doing anything until the warmer weather , maybe May  time as I need the 2 hour boost I got now 

My complaint I put in with  EDF last week is still waiting on a reply …so will update when I get one 
 

EssexHebridean

Not sure what your question is here Rosie - can you clarify?