EDF and Economy 7 - HELP !!

Be_Happy

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?

Just a thought, sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but you mention storage heaters in bedrooms. Are you sure these are storage heaters and not the more usual bedroom heaters which are panel heaters? Storage heaters are large and bulky, panel ones are small slimline and don't 'store' heat, so are much more expensive if kept on for long periods of time.

Aluminium_2

Cardew wrote: »

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.

This is the first place that I've lived aside from my parental home so I'm a bit green to say the least, my flatmate's rented before but he's worse than useless so it's all down to me really.

When we moved in we didn't really know what the deal with storage heaters were (cheers Be Happy but yeah, they're definitely storage heaters) and I'm a bit confused by "You are obviously boosting them during daytime hours; which would explain the huge consumption" there are only two controls on the heater, both rotary one labeled input and one labeled output. I've currently got mine set at 9/10 and 5/10 input and output. Is that good? Bad? My flatmate has his normally set at maximum on both controls.

The one in my room outputs significantly less heat than my flatmate's heater no matter how it's set, even if the controls are matched and left for days. I'm not sure if that's relevant but I thought I'd throw it in since you seem to know a bit more than me about it.

Any info much appreciated.

Be_Happy

Hi Aluminium

Glad to hear they're both storage heaters.

As far as controls go, the higher the input setting is, the more heat it takes in and the more expensive it will be. It does make a big difference, I try to keep mine no higher than the mid point (the number varies between styles of heater, my new ones don't even have numbers, just dots around the dial) but sometimes have to give in and turn it up, so cost increases significantly.

With the output (or boost) control, this works like a vent that lets the stored heat out and opens up wider the higher the setting is. This means that if the setting is high, all your stored heat comes out early in the day, leaving little for the evening. It depends when you are at home to need the heat, but the lower your output setting is the longer your stored heat will last.

jtb2412

Cardew,
When we moved into this house, we rang EDF to say that we were the new occupants and that we wanted for them to remain as the supplier. I asked them how to provide meter readings (wasn't sure how to get them off the meter) and they said there was no need as the outgoing tenants had already provided them and as there are prepayment meters in the property, then it was just a case of changing names and issuing us with new prepayment cards (which they did).

My argument here is that at no point did they say to me that we were on Economy 7 tariff (I now understand that they do not have a duty to tell us) but since moving, I have had no statement/bill/tariff information of any kind sent to me so how could I possibly know that I was on Economy 7 ?? I was told that I would know if I was Economy 7 due to the fact that I would have two meter readings, instead of one (but how was I supposed to know that ! - that's my gripe !) If they hadn't have told me that Economy 7 meters will show two readings, then how could I possibly have known? Sorry if i'm waffling - just trying to get my point across. Incidentally, it does work out cheaper for us (a call earlier to EDF confirmed it was, contrary to my calculations (we all make mistakes ! lol) BUT what if it hadn't? I'd have been paying more money for something I had no knowledge of. Just trying to make people aware that when you change address, just check that you're on the correct tariff and that it suits your needs !

Cardew

Aluminium

Be Happy has given the explanation of how they work.

However there are a couple of other things you need to check.

Firstly ensure that the input is during the cheap(off peak) period. Most storage heaters are wired so that they switch on during the off peak period. However not all do - some are on timers.

Secondly, storage heaters can run of of heat if they are used during the day e.g. the output is on; and in any case they tend to 'leak' during the day.

To overcome this there is a top up facility wher you can switch them on and use very expensive daytime electricity.

Could you be topping up at daytime rates - daytime is up to past midnight. These heaters use huge amounts of electricity - about £1 an hour each when used during the day on an Economy 7 tariff.

Check also your immersion heater is on in the cheap rate period. I can' understand why you say you use it for 1.5 hours a day. It should be warm enough from the overnight heting to last all day.

One thing is certain, you are using too much daytime electricity and not enough cheap rate electricity.

Terrylw1

jtb2412 wrote: »

Cardew,
When we moved into this house, we rang EDF to say that we were the new occupants and that we wanted for them to remain as the supplier. I asked them how to provide meter readings (wasn't sure how to get them off the meter) and they said there was no need as the outgoing tenants had already provided them and as there are prepayment meters in the property, then it was just a case of changing names and issuing us with new prepayment cards (which they did).

My argument here is that at no point did they say to me that we were on Economy 7 tariff (I now understand that they do not have a duty to tell us) but since moving, I have had no statement/bill/tariff information of any kind sent to me so how could I possibly know that I was on Economy 7 ?? I was told that I would know if I was Economy 7 due to the fact that I would have two meter readings, instead of one (but how was I supposed to know that ! - that's my gripe !) If they hadn't have told me that Economy 7 meters will show two readings, then how could I possibly have known? Sorry if i'm waffling - just trying to get my point across. Incidentally, it does work out cheaper for us (a call earlier to EDF confirmed it was, contrary to my calculations (we all make mistakes ! lol) BUT what if it hadn't? I'd have been paying more money for something I had no knowledge of. Just trying to make people aware that when you change address, just check that you're on the correct tariff and that it suits your needs !

As part of Best Practice when setting an account up they should tell you what tariff you will be but it's the classic call centre issue, just trying to get rid of you for the next customer.

You would receive a statement showing your readings, units used and payments made. Usually this happens quarterly. This would detail the tariff.

Agree with your point though, the Supplier should tell you.

They do have an oblgation to ensure that customers are on an appropriate tariff. They do not have to tell you but if you are say querying high consumption, they should suggest alternatives.

There is also an obligation not to put consumers into debt that came in a few years back.

Terrylw1

Plushchris wrote: »

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?

Your tariff is determined primarily in terms of the meter type (not counting all these tariff versions for certain deals) so they would automatically go onto what the previous consumer had arranged. This in turn is also linked to your supply number.

The Supplier does not have to change it or in many cases has no reason to anyway e.g. new tariff versions usually take over from other so they do not revert back or consumers would all be charged different rates due to change of tenancies rather than a consumer decision.

The Utilities Act allows for this in it's Deemed Contract terms.

daz501

I am in the exact same position. I recently found out I was on Economy 7. I tried to change after I called them up and said I want a standard tarriff. Apparently, my meter type is Economy 7 - hence the two sets of digits.

To change to a standard tarriff (an online saver type would do fine) I need to have my meter modified by enginners from the energy companies. Shall I let EDF do this, and should there be a charge as they have stated there will be.

If there is a charge, should my landlord be accountable for the expense?