EDF have changed Economy 7 times

pattymac33

I have a property with Economy 7 as my only heating (since 1991!)
I'm on a standard variable E7 tariff with EDF.
A smart meter was installed in Feb 2024 anticipating the RTS switch off.
It has worked perfectly, with 5 night storage heaters receiving low rate electricity between 00.30 - 07.30 (GMT) for 16 months.
But, in June 2025 mysteriously my meter settings were remotely changed with off peak hours now 08.00-11.00, 17.00-18.00, 22.00-00.00 and 01.30-02.30 (BST)
My hard wired night storage heaters still adhere to the  'proper' overnight settings and are taking electricity from 01.30- 08.30 (BST) but of course I am now being charged for 1 hour off peak and 6 hours of 'full fat' electricity.
EDF metering have been involved since August and have mentioned that the  "local network dictates the off peak hours." The timings are difficult to rationalise for E7 as it is almost exclusively a tariff used for night storage heaters, requiring a solid 7 hour feed.
Surely if the hour settings were changed remotely by EDF in June they can just change them back?
This seems a challenging concept to them....they seem to keep suggesting that the network sets the hours not EDF.
Do others have any similar issues or useful suggestions for me in battling through this?

Swipe

Your smart meter's ALCS calendar (which switches your heaters' off peak circuit on and off) appears correct if your heaters are switching on at the correct times but EDF's E7 meter tariff pricing schedule needs correcting by them so it matches. The person who has been dealing with your issue has no real knowledge of economy 7 on smart meters or the problem would have been obvious to them. So tell them you want it escalating to someone who deals with e7 smart metering and fixing immediately now it's getting colder or you'll take your complaint immediately to the ombudsman if not resolved within 5 days since it's been open since August. Be firm with them and do not be fobbed off.

QrizB

There are (at least) two separate sets of timings in your smart meter. One set tells the meter which register to apply at what timekif day, while another set tells the meter when to energised the auxiliary load control switch (ALCS) which controls when your E7 circuit is live and therefore what times your storage heaters charge up.

Both sets are under the control of your supplier EDF, and for standard E7 both sets should be identical.

It sounds as though EDF have somehow sent different schedules to the two timings, resulting in your current problem.

EDF are the only people who can fix this, by sending the correct settings to your meter and then crediting your account with the excess charges you have incurred during the mismatched period.

If you don't already have an official complaint lodged, you should do so in accordance with EDF's process for such things.

If you do have a complaint and it's been open for at least eight weeks, you can escalate it to the Energy Ombudsman.

Ildhund

pattymac33 said:

... in June 2025 mysteriously my meter settings were remotely changed with off peak hours now 08.00-11.00, 17.00-18.00, 22.00-00.00 and 01.30-02.30 (BST)

That is an odd set of timings. On your most recent bill, what are the three entries in the top line of the 'S' panel that shows your MPAN? This chappie:



I'm asking because I can't find the timings you quoted in the documentation I have for these things. That most probably means my documentation is out of date, and I'm keen to get it right.

Of course 'traditional' Night Storage Heaters (NSH) won't work at all well with that offpeak schedule. Not only that, if the meter is switching them on and off  ("My hard wired night storage heaters still adhere to the  'proper' overnight settings and are taking electricity from 01.30- 08.30 (BST)"), then EDF haven't made the proper changes to it. It would help a lot to see photos of your meter: (a) a close-up clear enough for the display screen and all the markings on the meter to be legible (please touch a button to light up the display before taking the shot), and (b) an overview showing the whole backboard the meter's mounted on or the cupboard it's in, so all the cables to and from the meter are visible. 

We've heard a few horror stories about EDF and NSH - let's hope yours isn't another one!   

pattymac33

Many thanks for all your helpful comments.
For Ildhund the numbers are:
2. 38. 30
I will sort out a photo first thing in the morning and put it up for you to look at.