Octopus Energy - Night Rate not matching storage heater switch on

SuffolkBear

I have just been checking my energy usage and have noted that Octopus Energy night rate is not switching at the same time as my storage heaters and immersion heater turn on. I am effectively being charged to heat at the day rate. I cannot change the time these appliances turn on as they are fixed to the night rate meter.  I have queried this with Octopus Energy and they said that they would look at it.  Has anyone else had this problem?  I am concerned that I have been overcharged for several months.

Swipe

Firstly, are you on an E7 smart meter or old style mechanical or digital E7 meter? How are you determining your night rate? Is that just the time Octopus Energy have told you? You can only be out of pocket if your peak rate register is being incremented when your storage heaters are drawing power. If that is the case, it needs addressing.

SuffolkBear

I have ab E7 smart meter.

As you will see my appliances are charging at midnight on the day rate.  I dont have the ability to change the time of the appliances.

Swipe

Yes, according to the chart it looks like you are being charged up to the first 30 mins at day rate. They should easily be able to resolve this for you and credit you with the extra you have been over-charged.

QrizB

SuffolkBear said:

I have ab E7 smart meter.

As you will see my appliances are charging at midnight on the day rate.  I dont have the ability to change the time of the appliances.

I'll ask the same question I asked in the Snug Octopus thread (link below) - are you certain that you're being billed as the chart in the app shows? It's entirely possible for the timings in the meter not to line up perfectly with the 30-minute slots, but so long as the meter registers switch simultaneously with the E7 supply it doesn't matter one jot.

Here's the thread where the big guns have gone down in the weeds on switching times and Ofgem rules:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6575726/snug-octopus-economy-7-problems

QrizB

You might be able to check your switching times via your IHD. Or you might just need to stay awake until midnight. See this thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6581185/using-aclara-sgm1416-b-smart-meter

SuffolkBear

QrizB said:

You might be able to check your switching times via your IHD. Or you might just need to stay awake until midnight. See this thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6581185/using-aclara-sgm1416-b-smart-meter

I have just downloaded a bill and it looks as though I have been charged the peak rate for the 30 mins at midnight.

QrizB

SuffolkBear said:

QrizB said:

You might be able to check your switching times via your IHD. Or you might just need to stay awake until midnight. See this thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6581185/using-aclara-sgm1416-b-smart-meter

I have just downloaded a bill and it looks as though I have been charged the peak rate for the 30 mins at midnight.

In which case, I think your next step should be to complain to Octopus.

https://octopus.energy/unhappy/

debitcardmayhem

Which region are you in, I believe there are different start time based on that.

Qyburn

debitcardmayhem said:

Which region are you in, I believe there are different start time based on that.

Irrespective of that, surely the circuit switch and tariff change should coincide.

QrizB

Qyburn said:

debitcardmayhem said:

Which region are you in, I believe there are different start time based on that.

Irrespective of that, surely the circuit switch and tariff change should coincide.

Yes, exactly that.

The only people who can fix it are Octopus, hence the need to submit a complaint. Octopus can investigate, fix the smart meter timings, correct the bills and maybe even add a little something for the inconvenience.