Smart meters rocketing prices

Scot_39

Aartee said:

Thanks again Scot_39.

I have repeatedly tried telling EDF that I have no problem when the economy7 actually supplies the off-peak load and only asked for conformation this is charged off-peak rates at the same time.

Perhaps you can now see why I feel so frustrated.

As I said above - to many sitting in customer service E7 is just a tariff - the ALCS bit, home circuits etc - meaningless to many.

I had similar frustrations / problems with normal customer services - a relatively complex RTS swapover c10 years ago - before the days of smart. My heatwise setup and the replacement E10 - were just tariffs on a computer screen. 

To be fair in my case argaubly more understandable - as was basic wiring questions (their letters talked about potential home wiring changes - so wanted to be ready) - but not so basic that in end as job even spooked first 2 meter fitters - luckily at time EOn had a customer facing complex metering team - to speak with - engineer to engineer as it were.

And smart has only made it worse.  In old days a meter did what it was set to do - these days the same hardware needs to be carefully set - but once thats done - can support so much flexibility.  

Fine when works - often awful support responses when does not.

Phones4Chris

QrizB said:

Aartee said:

Yesterday EDF finally confirmed that 2 hours of my 'off-peak' supply is now charged at peak rate.

Your off-peak supply period is when your meter is recording usage on the off-peak register. No more, no less.

Aartee said:

For years now in this area, the economy7 operating times has been split into 2 periods totaling 7 hours,  22.30 to 00.30 and 02.30 to 07.30.  EDF now state only power used from 00.30 to 07.30 are counted at off-peak rates. ...  This means the majority of my consumption is in the first 2 hour period where it now charges at peak rate prices.

Your storage heaters should only be charging when the meter is recording at the off-peak rates. If that period is now 0030-0730, that's when your heaters should be charging. What makes you think that they aren't?

Aartee said:

The original meter was mechanically linked to switch and count power used by the off-peak load at the same time.

Your new meter should also be wired like this, by use of either a 5-terminal meter (with the E7 circuits powered via the fifth terminal) or a 4-terminal meter with an external contactor (and the E7 circuits powered via the contactor). Do you have one of these arrangements?

@Aartee There's a number of things that have been raised in some of the replies, some of which aren't directly relevant.
The title of the thread is a bit confusing because it's not the Smart meter causing rocketing prices, it's EDF attempting to charge you incorrectly for off-peak usage since you had the Smart meter fitted. As OP you can edit the title to make it more appropriate.

The points mentioned in the quoted post from @QrizB are highly relevant but I don't see any response to these points which will help confirm that your "system" is working "correctly" (as currently programmed).
If you can post photos of the meter and the connected switch gear, that would be a help.
Also photos (with time) of the meter switched to the off-peak rate (just after it switches, and again when it switches back to peak rate) will be further proof, which you can also give to the ombudsman.

Otherwise, what is the make and model of the meter? Does it have 5 cables connected to it? Are the cables all the same physical size or is one of them smaller? If one is smaller, what does it connect to?

Next, as you've been to the Ombudsman and EDF have not resolved the problem, you need to go back to the Ombudsman and tell them. Also as has been suggested by @WiserMiser, a email to the CEO might help.

EDF are responsible for the programming of the Smart meter which determines when your Off-peak supply, so if they have got it wrong that is their problem, they can only charge you for usage as recorded by each of the meter's registers, which is sounds like they got wrong initially and also got them reversed at one point when trying to resolve this.
Also the off-peak hours (generic time ranges) are usually determined by the DNO and AFAIK the "supplier" should programme the meter accordingly to be consistent. You haven't mentioned what region you are in, the first two digits on your supply MPAN identify the region.
Are the bills you are getting showing the R1 and R2 (ie peak & off-peak) register readings? If so, exactly how are EDF managing to bill you differently? A redacted copy of the relevant bills would be helpful.

As mentioned, the meter stores the half-hourly consumption (upto 13months worth) apart from which you mentioned the Energy Hub is showing the half hourly usage peaks when your off-peak is being switched on, so there shouldn't be an issue working out what you should have been charged and how much you could be out of pocket.