Economy 7

JeanetteK

Hi Everyone, Economy 7 storage heaters were installed in 80's in my Council house  plus got a hot water tank and I submit dual readings monthly for an all electric house.

I have heard that by June 2025 the RTS type will be phased out.

I don't use the storage heaters to be honest (1 is not working) and rely on electric fire and oil radiators.

I am an OAP and just retired and scared to have a smart meter.  Can I ask British Gas to change to a single reading.

Sorry but not sure what to do and appreciate your help please.

QrizB

You are asking two separate questions:

• Can I switch from E7 to a single-rate tariff?
• Can I avoid having  smart meter?

JeanetteK said:

I don't use the storage heaters to be honest (1 is not working) and rely on electric fire and oil radiators.

The answer to the first question is yes. You can ask to be billed on a single-rate tariff and they can do that.

Over the past year, how much electricity have you used at cheap night rate and how much at full day rate? We can work out for you whether you'd be better off with E7 or not.

Do note that day-rate electiricty is one of the most expensive ways of heating. There are some example calculations here. Last winter, for example, a typical household might've spent an extra £1000 using daytime electricity for heating compared to the same household using E7.

JeanetteK said:

I am an OAP and just retired and scared to have a smart meter.

The answer to the second question is no. Your meter needs replacing and the only replacement meters being fitted are smart meters.

What specifically scares you about smart meters? Most households have them and they are helping some people save quite a lot of money on their energy bills.

Gerry1

Yes, BG will bill at single rate.  You should be on the Priority Services Register, so you could call the special  number.

However, using daytime electricity is just about the most expensive form of heating you can have.  You'd be better off using your storage heaters and fixing the one that doesn't work.  Storage heaters are usually  cheap and easy to repair.

GibbsRule_No3.

I am 70 and did not really want a Smart meter, mainly due to the stories about them not working (wrong type installed!) but they did install the correct type for my new Quantum Storage Heaters. E7 tariff and I love the Smart meter, it is making me think about lights, water heating but no compromise on my heating.  If it is a Council House, perhaps the OPs Council should be changing the old Storage Heaters.

Gerry1

BG will bill you at single rate without needing a meter change.  You'll submit the two readings in the usual way but they'll both be charged at the single rate.

BG will no doubt pressure you into having a smart meter.  Try insisting on a 5-terminal non-smart meter instead so that you can still have E7 in future.

Theoretically you can ask your supplier to fit an approved meter that you've bought, and permission should not be unreasonably withheld, but I'm not aware of any forumite having achieved this.

Scot_39

JeanetteK said:

Hi Everyone, Economy 7 storage heaters were installed in 80's in my Council house  plus got a hot water tank and I submit dual readings monthly for an all electric house.

I have heard that by June 2025 the RTS type will be phased out.

I don't use the storage heaters to be honest (1 is not working) and rely on electric fire and oil radiators.

I am an OAP and just retired and scared to have a smart meter.  Can I ask British Gas to change to a single reading.

Sorry but not sure what to do and appreciate your help please.

Firstly - the council should replace the faulty heater if old or at least repair it for free.  So do contact them.

With any luck - if they are very old - you will get a new modern one - one that actually controls your room temperature - and is more controllable as to when it releases most of its stored heat.

E7 and a well set up NSH would normally be cheaper.  

Normally on typical E7 rates publshed (like s of EDF do) that needs an annual off peak use - of around a third (30-40%) of total - to be cheaper than single rate which should be easy with NSH if can use them efficiently for your needs and HW tank - especially if keep the house at a reasonable temp - and in your case likely all day as retired.

I heat my house modestly and average around twice that - 75-80% annually on E10, so a bit easier than E7. 

But most of that is still HW (over 50% daily use in summer on HW tank and cold fed shower in my case ) - and NSH winter heating.

In a cold snap - over 90% of my daily / weekly energy is off peak to I think minimal temperatures (16/17 LR vs 14/15 elsewhere - below c18 min recommendations for elderly from NHS / Age UK etc).  

If you currently have an annual estimate on your bill for peak and off peak (on EOn bills it's in the tariff table on second page - or if BG issue you a new annual cost estimate every cap change) post here

Because your not using the NSH - it might be below the threshold right now - but possibly not be as much as you might think - and it really shouldn't be if were using the NSH even partially - to say keep a minimum temp of say 14-16 everywhere - and then boost as required - e.g. for 1/2 hr before bed / getting up in morning etc.

The risk though - as far as space heating - is potentially the current status quo - using day time plug in heaters - on day time economy 7 peak rates - especially if using them a lot of hours a day - potentially all day most days as retired.

If you really do want - you could ask for single rate billing.  This was available pre smart meters - they simply charged the 2 readings at one standard rate.

But if you have them post your current peak and off peak annual estimates - and if have access to a few months of bills - a typical summer month and a typical winter one.

And although a number of smart meter users have issues - the vast majority in most locations - operate well.

And may solve things that can get awkward - like taking readings - as mobility can suffer as age in future (if high or low mounted etc).  

I really like mine - if solely for the fact means I dont have to stand outside in winter to read my external meter - and the in home display lets me know when I am on cheap or expensive rates - in my case to time cooking or washing machine and showering when can.

JeanetteK

Thank you everyone for your responses back