Changing supplier could stop storage heaters working

jake_jones99

Hi, I am in a new flat with storage heaters and a smets 2, economy 7, 2-rate smart meter. I am by default with E.ON, and called British Gas to switch to them. They told me they know of cases where customers switched suppliers (when they had smets 2, e7 smart meters) and the storage heaters stopped working, so they advise customers to not switch (they can at their own risk). I take this issue seriously as it wouldn't be in their advantage to say that. I called E.ON who minimised the issue and said that actually smets 2 is newer so less likely of a fault if I switch from them. 

So I am confused about what I should do. For safety, I could switch to a fixed tariff with E.ON, which would work out ~10% more expensive than with British gas, but still 33% cheaper than the current variable rate I am on. If I wanted to be adventurous, I could switch to British gas, but feels like the risk might not be worth the 10% discount. 

British gas said they're working on it and I should call in 2 weeks. But the issues apparently started in December. And those 2 weeks I would be on the expensive E.ON variable rate.

What are your views?

Alnat1

Are there any other suppliers that have a decent E7 tariff for your area? British Gas don't have very good customer service and have been historically bad with E7 and smart meters.

If you post which area of the country you are in, someone on here might be able to advise you on other options.

EssexHebridean

There used to be a major issue with BG, Smart Meters and E7, to the extent that during the time we were on E7 with smaller suppliers, I refused point blank to get SMs fitted in case the supplier failed and we ended up being SOLR'd to BG. Allowing that it sounds as though that issue is ongoing, I'm glad to hear that at least BG have started being honest about it. 

Personally I would be going for the safer option, although with priced set to fall in April, now "might" not be a good time to fix. have you had a look at what is being said on the main MSE site currently on that question? 

Scot_39

If you rely on your meter switching the off peak (restricted) suplly for nsh and hw immersion - you need to ensure you get a meter that supports internal (5 port with in built alcs) or 4 port with external alcs contactor to switch the 7 hour only off peak supply if say BG or another were to insist on new meter.

But that should be a simple enough like for like install for them to provide.

The meter itself controls the switching from a table of timings - but with smart meters there is I suppose a risk these tables could be changed via a new supplier update - but many just default to old DNO timings or supplier defaults these days like say 0030 to 0730 regardless of region according to sone suppliers blog posts.



British Gas - had a period when it had particular problems with E7 smets2 meter installations and switchers.

A while back there were dozens of populated posts here with disgruntled BG and SG customers re their E7 metering.

It iirc actually paused their role out in many areas - possibly more signal related.

And for many of it's bespoke time of use tariffs now insists on it's own particular model of meter being installed.

(Its not a strange concept - but it does fly in the face of the supposed open / easily transferrable promises for smets2 - kind of akin to perhaps say your ISP who may only fully support you if use their chosen model of router and sends you one out when you switch).

Others have reported issues with register order for peak and off peak rates on switching supplier - by choice or last year or so under supplier of last resort.

But provided you are willing to check meters and billing - that is fixable - if the deal warrants it. 

And in e7 it can be - if far from the nominal 42% split - one very high off peak user posted a serious of quotes - iirc the off peak rates varied 4-5p in his region - and although not posted - the opposite swings in peak rates to match Ofgem profile class2 overall cap.

Edf and Octopus publish their default e7 variable rate tariffs for all regions -openly - other suppliers you seem to need to ask for quotes e.g.

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/2023-12/DM1903_Standard (Variable), Deemed and Welcome - standard, E7 and prepayment meters_EPG rates.pdf


https://octopus.energy/blog/energy-price-cap-jan-2024/


Remember the new price cap is announced iirc tomorrow- and suppliers can vary the balance of peak / off peak rates  some dramatically (*) as part of that periodic review (* EDF Eastern quarter off peak rise was highlighted by many recently - from sub 10p to over 16p iirc - probably about the biggest swing reported by users here).

I'd wait a while until you see next quarter's rates before switching - it can however take weeks for them to update operator specific pricing balance peak vs off peak - after cap sets the total overall cap price though.

jake_jones99

EssexHebridean said:

There used to be a major issue with BG, Smart Meters and E7, to the extent that during the time we were on E7 with smaller suppliers, I refused point blank to get SMs fitted in case the supplier failed and we ended up being SOLR'd to BG. Allowing that it sounds as though that issue is ongoing, I'm glad to hear that at least BG have started being honest about it. 

Personally I would be going for the safer option, although with priced set to fall in April, now "might" not be a good time to fix. have you had a look at what is being said on the main MSE site currently on that question? 

Thanks, I looked at 
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/-are-there-any-cheap--fixed-energy-deals-currently-worth-it--/
and it says the cap is likely to drop 15%. However I would save around 33% with a fix. Are the new fix options also going to drop? 

It says "Based on current published predictions, it would be worth fixing for 17% less than the current (January to March 2024) Price Cap." I would fix it for 33% less, so it sounds like a good option unless I am missing something.

jake_jones99

Alnat1 said:

Are there any other suppliers that have a decent E7 tariff for your area? British Gas don't have very good customer service and have been historically bad with E7 and smart meters.

If you post which area of the country you are in, someone on here might be able to advise you on other options.

I am in the south west. I checked other suppliers and BG were the cheapest (even though not worth it after reading all comments). E.ON came close after. If you know of other good ones please suggest.

Swipe

Personally, I don't think switching to BG for a 10% saving is worth it. Wait until the 1st April rates are announced and look around at other suppliers.

jake_jones99

Swipe said:

Personally, I don't think switching to BG for a 10% saving is worth it. Wait until the 1st April rates are announced and look around at other suppliers.

It's actually 33% when switching to BG, and around 25% when fixing the tariff with EON. After 1 April even the fixed rates will go down?

jake_jones99

My projected monthly cost is around £200, with BG it's ~£110, with EON 1 year fix it's ~£130.

Swipe

It's up to you, but I'd advise you to look at all the BG complaints on here about their customer service. I don't handle energy company stress very well and I draw the line at E.On Next's incompetence levels.

EssexHebridean

jake_jones99 said:

My projected monthly cost is around £200, with BG it's ~£110, with EON 1 year fix it's ~£130.

Ignore those figures - you need to compare the actual unit rates and standing charges you are being offered to get a true picture of which is cheapest.