EDF and Economy 7 - HELP !!

jtb2412

Hi

In the process of trying to save money, I have decided to change my gas and electric supplier (currently EDF). We are on a pre-payment meter (inherited by the previous tenants) and I want them removed so that I can, when the time comes, change supplier without having the hassle of a pre-payment meter causing problems. So, i've rung EDF today to ask them to remove the meters (which they are happy to do) BUT I found out that since October last year (when we moved here) we've been on Economy 7 tariff !

Now I said to the chap on the phone (very politely I might add !), why was I on this tariff when I hadn't asked to be? He said that because the previous tenants were on it, then we had 'inherited' it. Firstly, does anyone know if this is right? Secondly, I feel I should have been asked what tariff I wanted to be on when I took over the supply back in October (I said this to the chap on the phone) and his exact words were "it's not up to us to tell you what tariff you're on, it's up to you to find out"!!! Is this also right? Is there any way I can recoup some of the money that i've been spending (and yes, i've been putting money in the prepayment meter like there's no tomorrow!)

Any help would be very much greatly appreciated !

jtb2412

Quick update - have rung Energy watch. Apparently it's up to the customer to ask/find out whether they have Economy 7 !! Obviously I asked how a customer is supposed to know that they have Economy 7 (especially since we moved house, took over the previous tenants meters and supplier and have not had a bill/statement to suggest any usage or tariffs) and I was told that the meters will have two readings (obviously I was supposed to find this out from my crystal ball!) Got put through to EDF and basically, it's up to you to check that you are on the correct tariff e.g. Economy 7 (when you move house/change supplier/have meters installed or removed). So, if anyone is concerned that they are spending a lot of money on their gas/electric and not sure why - check your tariff please !!

loneranger

Am I understanding you right -I thought economy 7 tariff was cheaper?

jtb2412

Economy 7 is cheaper for night usage but seeings as I use most of my appliances during the day, then no, it's not cheaper for me. It's not so much about price, more that I feel that customers should be aware of what tariff they are 'inheriting' from previous tenants.

Plushchris

You dont inherit a tariff from the previous occupier, the tariff automaticaly reverts back to the standard tariff (or standard with Eco 7 if you have an Eco 7 meter).

Did you not read the meters when you moved into the property?

Cardew

What you appear to have missed is that when the old occupant leaves, in the majority of cases, EDF(or whoever is supplying the property) has absolutely no idea who the new occupant will be - initial bills are sent to 'the occupier'.

The gas and electricity acts allow them to have the new and un-named occupier on a 'deemed contract to allow for continuous supply on the standard tariff. An immediate call to EDF will tell you the options.

Some people actually want to be on economy 7 and some on pre-pay meters. One can hardly expect EDF to discuss with an 'unknown' customer their appliance usage during the day, or if they should go on an internet tariff, etc etc

'Buyer Beware' seems to be reasonable to me.

Aluminium_2

Just got a bill for 23 Oct 07- 17 Jan 08 for £341.26

This is for a 2 bedroom flat with electric throughout. We're both students and in an attempt to save money have only been using a (storage) heater in our respective bedrooms. We are on Economy 7 but this seems ridiculously high, our first bill cost us £1.30 a day and now we're being charged £3.96 a day but our appliance use hasn't increased? Any ideas before I call them up?

Cardew

Aluminium wrote: »

Just got a bill for 23 Oct 07- 17 Jan 08 for £341.26

This is for a 2 bedroom flat with electric throughout. We're both students and in an attempt to save money have only been using a (storage) heater in our respective bedrooms. We are on Economy 7 but this seems ridiculously high, our first bill cost us £1.30 a day and now we're being charged £3.96 a day but our appliance use hasn't increased? Any ideas before I call them up?

What do you intend calling them about?

The reason why costs have increased for heating is that it is now winter!!!

Firstly check the meter meadings to see if they are correct and not estimated.

How many units have you used at cheap rate and how many at day rate? With storage heating you should aim to have 60%-70% of your total electricity on cheap rate.

Secondly check that you are operating the storage heaters correctly i.e. they are only being used(receiving electricity) on cheap rate.

Is your immersion heater set so that it only comes on during cheap rate?

Aluminium_2

Is £350 not a bit much for 2 heaters, an oven and a boiler that's on for about an hour and a half a day over 86 days?

That's sort of what I was going to call them about?

The Bill says that we've got £260 at day rate and £60 at night rate?

vickib128

Cardew wrote: »

What do you intend calling them about?

The reason why costs have increased for heating is that it is now winter!!!

Firstly check the meter meadings to see if they are correct and not estimated.

How many units have you used at cheap rate and how many at day rate? With storage heating you should aim to have 60%-70% of your total electricity on cheap rate.

Secondly check that you are operating the storage heaters correctly i.e. they are only being used(receiving electricity) on cheap rate.

Is your immersion heater set so that it only comes on during cheap rate?

Cardew, sounds like you work for them, or another Energy Supplier,

Vicki

Cardew

Aluminium wrote: »

Is £350 not a bit much for 2 heaters, an oven and a boiler that's on for about an hour and a half a day over 86 days?

That's sort of what I was going to call them about?

The Bill says that we've got £260 at day rate and £60 at night rate?

Yes of course it is far too much.

It is pretty obvious that the storage heaters are not being used correctly, or are faulty.

As I said above, with storage heaters on for 1.5 hours a day 60%-70% of your electricity consumption should be at cheap rate.

They, and the immersion heater, should only come on(to have electricty input) - in the cheap rate period which is for 7 hours during the night.

You are obviously boosting them during daytime hours; which would explain the huge consumption.