Economy 7

Phones4Chris

@diz79 One thing that is not clear is what times does that off-peak supply switch on? Does it in fact give and "afternoon" period as well as overnight (assuming the timeclock is keeping reasonably accurate time)?
But one thing I have spotted is that they are NOT allowed to charge you two Standing Charges just because you have what's called "complex" metering.

You have two meters which are not actually that old, it's the timeclock which is old and as pointed out may not be set accurately now. One meter gives you a 24/7 tariff for normal household lights, power etc., the other meter for off-peak - do you have an immersion heater on that as well as storage heaters?

I would contact EDF and complain about the fact that they are telling you that you'll be paying two standing charges, one for the off-peak (for which they are now going to charge peak rates - which you find unacceptable, especially as they gave you less than 30days notice!) and one standing charge for the normal peak rate meter.
IF they are "FUNNY" about this, then tell them you wish to make a FORMAL complaint and will go to the Ombudsman if need be.

If that off-peak supply is NOT providing an Afternoon boost and merely giving you overnight off-peak then I'd complain further IF they haven't previously offered a Smart Meter installation, (which as has been mentioned if what you really need to do to get the best choice of tariffs) as I really don't see the justification in charging you a peak rate whilst waiting for a Smart Meter install. AND ask them how long before they can come and install a 5-port Smart meter to provide for you straige heaters.

Scot_39

Day rates not peak rates on that letter iirc.  But showing another SC iirc which shouldn't be allowed surely under Ofgem RRMI rules.


That ein independent metering will typically change with modern smart e7  (there are only a few single phase - but with 2 element iirc the spec termimology / wording - meters that can independently measure port 4/5 supply output).
But even though some here do have them - sgm 1422 is iirc one such for instance - not sure how actually metered / billed in detail.

Qyburn

Phones4Chris said:

You have two meters which are not actually that old, it's the timeclock which is old and as pointed out may not be set accurately now. One meter gives you a 24/7 tariff for normal household lights, power etc., the other meter for off-peak - do you have an immersion heater on that as well as storage heaters?

Can you tell if those are multi rate meters, or will he be charged day rate 24/7 for service through the 24 hour meter?

Qyburn

diz79 said:

Hi thanks for such quick and thorough responses. I will add pics now, I think its more the meter is really old and offers a cheaper rate in the afternoon I think, I understand its old tech and want to phase out, but not sure. I will do more research on other companies.

Do you really only use 947kWh in a year, or is that just the night rate?

Scot_39

Qyburn said:

diz79 said:

Hi thanks for such quick and thorough responses. I will add pics now, I think its more the meter is really old and offers a cheaper rate in the afternoon I think, I understand its old tech and want to phase out, but not sure. I will do more research on other companies.

Do you really only use 947kWh in a year, or is that just the night rate?

Id push that 947kWh with hw tank and shower.  So if that includes heating the op is doing well.

Heating- in my case NSH - would be similar if not a few 100 kWh more in al, but harshest wjnters in a 2 bed modernish 90s terrace - but only kept that low by wearjng thermals and heating to only 14/16 in living room.

Its more like my peak rate use - which does include some showers that I cannot time for off peak - and only 14 hours normal peak - as on e10 - usage.

Phones4Chris

Qyburn said:

Phones4Chris said:

You have two meters which are not actually that old, it's the timeclock which is old and as pointed out may not be set accurately now. One meter gives you a 24/7 tariff for normal household lights, power etc., the other meter for off-peak - do you have an immersion heater on that as well as storage heaters?

Can you tell if those are multi rate meters, or will he be charged day rate 24/7 for service through the 24 hour meter?

They're single rate meters, they look identical to one that I had to replace one of my old certification expired analogue meters when I had complex E7 metering. They appear to be Type 5235A but the picture isn't clear enough to confirm that. (There's no control wire from the time switch to change the register even if they were dual rate.).

From what I can see of the timeswitch, it is giving a 3 hour afternoon boost, and if the photo was taken at 1030 am or there abouts, it's keeping time near enough!

The whole installation is single phase from what I can see of the cabling, so a bog standard Aclara SGM1416-B 5-port smart meter (or similar) would do the job.

QrizB

Qyburn said:

diz79 said:

Hi thanks for such quick and thorough responses. I will add pics now, I think its more the meter is really old and offers a cheaper rate in the afternoon I think, I understand its old tech and want to phase out, but not sure. I will do more research on other companies.

Do you really only use 947kWh in a year, or is that just the night rate?

Per OP's other threads, this might be / have been his grandma's house? So maybe hasn't been lived in recently?

Looking at the meters, they were replaced in February 2012. The peak meter has recorded 49799 kWh since then, and the off-peak meter has recorded 54240.

That's about 4000 kWh of peak usage per year over the period, and 4500 kWh of off-peak. If the house has been empty for a while, the real energy demand once it's reoccupied will be higher.

diz79

Hi thanks again everyone, sorry for the delay, ive been away.  Ill try to respond accordingly. The house was empty for a long time several years, I hardly used the 2 storage heater last year as had a log burner fitted and it was a milder winter, so was mainly log burner downstairs and plug in electric oil heaters upstairs. Previously I prob used them more. It is a small immersion heater I think that heats the water, like a kettle ive been told, but that will get replaced for a unvented type cyclinder heater so more efficient.

So from what I can see I should complain to edf about the neater and also look to get the smart meter fitted, if they upgrade everything is there a cost for this?

Is smart meter the only way to go these days or are there other options?

Thanks again for all your input.

QrizB

diz79 said:

So from what I can see I should complain to edf about the neater and also look to get the smart meter fitted, if they upgrade everything is there a cost for this?

Is smart meter the only way to go these days or are there other options?

I don't see any reason currently to complain to EDF.

Yes, contact them and request a smart meter. You'll then be able to get E7 again. You'll also be able to access various other smart tariffs.

No, there's no realistic alternative to a smart meter.

No, EDF won't charge you to replace your meters - as they're actually EDF's meters.

diz79

Sorry again for late responses but being the summer I am quite busy...I also only just recieved this....

Unfortunately I did, but looks like they are saying exactly what you were all saying anyway....

Dear Mr XXXXX

I am sorry that you are unhappy with the letter you have received which advises that your tariff charges are changing.

We posted the letter to you on 9th June 2025 to explain that we were simplifying our tariff range by retiring older ones that were from a very different time. All changes have been made within the the supply license condition 22d guidelines.

You may wish to consider having a smart meter fitted and opting for the Economy 7 tariff which During an overnight seven-hour period, a smart meter can be configured to give you access to cheaper ‘off peak rates’ for the energy you use.

Depending on your off-peak needs, there may be other options available to you, but this would need to be discussed with our exotic meters team,

Your totalised tariff took affect on 1 July 2025, I can confirm that you will only be charged one daily standing charge, and this should be shown on your bill,

We unfortunately cannot control the post once it leaves our office and any delay in delivering the post is the responsibility of the Royal Mail.

If you have any further questions or concerns over the change, please let us know.

Xxxxxxxx