Water heater booster v Economy 7

Enigmaman

amanda1024 said:

Have you got a smart meter? Otherwise, you could try reading the meters just before you leave and again as soon as you return and see what the actual usage is

I do not have smart meter atm. last time I checked it was not an option because I have storage heaters.

lohr500

Just a thought.
Is the Economy 7 supply to the water heater controlled by a timer/programmer or is it switched on and off directly when the meter switches between the day and night rates?

If it is on a timer, then you might be able to programme it to only switch on for the days when you are at home.
Not ideal if your trips away are of variable length, but if they are the same days on a regular basis, then it could be an option.  

Enigmaman

Its a basic on/off switch.  

Swipe

Enigmaman said:

amanda1024 said:

Have you got a smart meter? Otherwise, you could try reading the meters just before you leave and again as soon as you return and see what the actual usage is

I do not have smart meter atm. last time I checked it was not an option because I have storage heaters.

Are you with British Gas by any chance? They originally had an issue with smart meters and people on economy 7 but I believe that has now been resolved. E7 works fine with a smart meter and storage heaters, you just need to grill the installer and make sure they install the correct type with a 5 terminals which is what all suppliers will now install as standard. Do not let them install one with 4 ports and a seperate contactor as this was a dirty workaround during the post covid 5 port meter supply shortage.

Scot_39

Smart meters and at least e7 these days works fine with night storage heaters and off peak hw load switching.

(My e10 is on an old smets1 meter - it was the same physical model as EOn used for e7 at rhe time) but some ppsters appear to be struggling when upgrade to smets2 to maintain deal when on such legacy tariffs.)


Either via a 4 port meter wired to an auxiliary contactor or a 5 port meter (has the load switching contactor built in to meter and the 7 hour only feed comes out on the 5th port meter tail.)

As above if have an  off peak circuit make sure you pre-warn your supplier.  As some e7 4 port installs might force you to fit own timer(s) or auxiliary contactor.

Enigmaman

Swipe said:

Enigmaman said:

amanda1024 said:

Have you got a smart meter? Otherwise, you could try reading the meters just before you leave and again as soon as you return and see what the actual usage is

I do not have smart meter atm. last time I checked it was not an option because I have storage heaters.

Are you with British Gas by any chance? They originally had an issue with smart meters and people on economy 7 but I believe that has now been resolved. E7 works fine with a smart meter and storage heaters, you just need to grill the installer and make sure they install the correct type with a 5 terminals which is what all suppliers will now install as standard. Do not let them install one with 4 ports and a seperate contactor as this was a dirty workaround during the post covid 5 port meter supply shortage.

Yes, British Gas.

Enigmaman

Scot_39 said:

Smart meters and at least e7 these days works fine with night storage heaters and off peak hw load switching.

(My e10 is on an old smets1 meter - it was the same physical model as EOn used for e7 at rhe time) but some ppsters appear to be struggling when upgrade to smets2 to maintain deal when on such legacy tariffs.)


Either via a 4 port meter wired to an auxiliary contactor or a 5 port meter (has the load switching contactor built in to meter and the 7 hour only feed comes out on the 5th port meter tail.)

As above if have an  off peak circuit make sure you pre-warn your supplier.  As some e7 4 port installs might force you to fit own timer(s) or auxiliary contactor.

This is a slightly different question but are m\art meters really a good idea? How do they help save money?

My pub landlord (yes I know) claims he used to work with them in some way and advised me against...

Swipe

I definitely wouldn't risk one being installed under British Gas, I'd move supplier first. If something went wrong it would be hell on earth trying to get things resolved by them.

Scot_39

Are BG still really struggling with multirate.  Complaint posts seem to have dropped off dramatically.

But some of their new tariffs seem to be fussy about even the type of smets2 meter installed (EV timing issues, some applying for Dimplex special said wouldn't accept third party smets2 - just their own fitted model etc ?)

Wonder if they have decided only safe option is a standardised packaged solution they can work with (the same was some ISP's tech support say will only fully support their own supplied routers).