Smart meter installed now the energy company want to charge more

FunFox1395

on a fixed tariff with EDF (ends Sep 26), Have been waiting over 5 months for a smart meter due to issues of non arrival and then an emergency by the installer I finally got it installed last week. Am wanting to add an EV tariff to my fixed tariff but now they are asking me to pay more standing charge/tariff change for this change - is this correct/allowed.

born_again

If you are moving to a EV tariff. Then it is more than possible that S/C will be different, as will peak time usage, given you are paying less for a period.

You have to balance it out.

Also that tariff will not fall under the cost cap.

I'm on IOG & paying the same a month in electric, as I did pre running 2 EV's

EssexHebridean

Do you mean they are asking for an exit fee for your old tariff? if so, check the original contract, if that was something you agreed to, and it is something that it is chargeable even if moving to a new tariff with the same supplier then yes, it's absolutely allowed.

Different tariffs carry different levels of unit charge/standing charge so what you were paying before isn't relevant to your new tariff. That said, if the increases mean that the new tariff is more expensive, then continue to look around.

Regardless - the fact that you now have a smart meter isn't relevant to you choosing a different tariff beyond the fact that a smart meter would be required for the EV tariff, and it certainly isn't relevant to you being charged at different rates allowing that you have requested the change!

Alnat1

Daily Mail thread title.

Behind the headlines, customer wants to change electricity tariff to one that is cheaper overnight and the new one has a higher standing charge. The old tariff has exit fees. They are blaming their new smart meter on the price increases.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656876/smart-meter-installed-now-the-energy-company-want-to-charge-more

whilst some companies have zero exit fee fixes and others allow internal but not external tariff transfers fee free not sure if EDF do.

And i am not sure ev tariffs work as simple bolt ons to existing tariffs at most suppliers - i know Ovo did it that way - but the rate was poorer cf best tied in deals.

so if your issue is exit fees - you may or not have to pay depending on company policy.

If your issue is rates - they will be as new tariff rates unless there is a bolt on.

You cannot expect say cheap ev rates and old standard day rates because your old fix was cheaper than say the new ev tariff day rate.

They might show some flexibility if push or threaten to leave - say if fix for a year as a retention measure if call and plead - but we are talking edf ….

If you do have to pay - maybe switch for a referral bonus for you and a friend / colleague etc. - to soften the blow.

FunFox1395

Ok so the tariff I am on is fixed, because I need to charge an electric car on a EV tariff, hence the smart meter. Because of this they are wanting me to change my fixed tariff to a dearer one where the day rate/standing charge are higher, which I do not agree with. Also, as the meter was delayed in being fitted surely I should be able to go on the rates that were there in October. They have not asked for an exit fees

Scot_39

You might be able to argue about delays from the date of the original appointment - not from you first requesting a smart meter - but I suspect their obligation limited to the Ofgem - is it now £40 - fixed - and I believe now automatic? - compensation for a missed appointment.

Anything else is likely to be a one off negotiation.

The potentially good news is that the rates should fall in Apr - so you might be able to get comparable rates to last year then - after electric rates went up c5% in Jan for instance.

So you might not have to wait for Sep to get back to those better rates.

As MSE articles - state should see at least the unit rates on any new fix entered now drop automatically for the budget changes - if believe the MSE / ML reports - and todays ML video on BBC site - it might work out better than the cut to SVT.

IOWJJBTM2025

My previous attempts have found that dual tariff have increased standing charges and increased day rates.

It may work out cheaper just to have a single rate. Don't forget you should get the government discount of 3.54p per kWh after April 1st.

If you are on a fix to September it will need some serious savings to make it worthwhile paying an exit fee.

QrizB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656876/smart-meter-installed-now-the-energy-company-want-to-charge-more

EDF's EV tariffs aren't add-ons; they replace your existing tariff.

https://www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariffs

If this means a higher standing charge and a higher tariff for non-EV uses than your current fix, then you'll need to decide which option will cost you less overall and make your tariff choice accordingly.

Or, of course, you could switch suppliers and move to one of the several other EV tariffs on offer.

Keep_pedalling

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899444#Comment_81899444

Whether you agree with it or not, that is what EV tariffs look like, unless you are doing very low mileage you current tariff is overall going to cost more than an EV one will do.

EssexHebridean

you don’t have to have a specific EV tariff just because you have an EV do you? Just stick with your current tariff if that works out cheaper for you!