On the 18^th Jan 2008 it was announced by BBC: “British Gas, the UK's biggest power provider, is to raise the amount it charges for gas and electricity by 15%”.

From British Gas Bill (britishgas.co.uk): Price Changes FAQ –The 15% increase in gas and 15% increase in electricity prices will take effect from 18th January 2008.

I have noticed that my bill certainly does not reflect a 15% increase on Electricity but instead reflects 94% increase in the night-time rate—which is either 22.30 -00.30 and 02.30-07.30, OR 23.00 to 06.30, or so I've been told by British Gas . It all greatly matters when trying to save, thus I was surprised to find out that British Gas doesn’t know for my area and post code (Kent) which of the times are valid. Interesting, they can bill me for ££ night time rate, double the rate; but not know how to advise me so that I can take full advantage of the Economy 7 hours. How does one go about getting the original tariff for ‘Elec: Two Rate (7hr) to check this?

I am on a “Elec: Two Rate (7hr)” tariff or what is referred to Economy 7. This means that I have 7 hours (but perhaps not consecutive) of lower night rate. As I live on a ‘strict’ budget (kind understatement), I have limited my use of dishwasher, dryer & washing machine to the night period. I also utilize the night rate, sometimes using the night storage heaters, and this accounts to approx. 57% Night Rate versus day rate. Maybe, I should become nocturnal. This is the increase as per my February '08 bill.

Formerly up to 17 Jan 2008
Night Rate (Economy 7): 2.234 pence per kilowatt.

After 18 Jan 2008-05-02

Night Rate (Economy 7): 4.350 pence per kWh

Maybe it seems I'm quibbling, but it means another 5-6 pounds on the bill on top of the day rates. I am wondering too why it's so hard to find the British Gas product: 'Elec: Two Rate (7hr) on comparison sites. I would be curious to see how it compares. Keep fighting the good fight!

Addendum to above: E-mail dated 4/5/08: 3. "As it is not British Gas that actually owns and maintains the meters we do not know exactly what times the time bandings are for every individual customer. The reason we know how to charge you the correct number of units on day and night rates is your meter records this information based on how many units are used in each time banding. If you would like further information you can contact your regional Electricity distributor who is EDF Energy on 0845 601 5467"

Great so British Gas can supply my electricity, happily take my money yet not give me distinct information if the time band is: 22.30 -00.30 and 02.30-07.30, OR 23.00 to 06.30 . Obviously, I need to know in order that I set the timer, or get up in the middle of the night to set the dryer, dishwasher after 0230 just to be safe. Also, told that if the appliance is on from 0030 to 0230 (if that is the time banding) then I will be charged at the expensive Tier 1 Day rate, which is 28.758 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh), instead of Night time at 4.350 pence per kWh. I might not be a great mathmematician but it appears to be 6 times as much!

The night rate should be for 7 hours but the times will depend on your property's timer. If you listen for a clunk around the time you expect the switch, you should find out the exact time. Sometimes the timers go wrong.

I have known British Gas to sell their flat rate tariff to economy 7 properties. I've also dealt with them on a business property. Personally I do not trust them.

Personally, I do not trust them and hopefully the facts speak for themselves. By not informing the customer clearly when the time bands are, I can't help believe it is intended that way, to keep the information from the customer.

They probably don't know. They will know what the times should be (starting 12:30 or 1:30, in most areas, depending on whether the clocks have gone back) but, because each property has its own timer and the timers do go wrong and gain/lose a few seconds each year, they wont know the exact times for your property. One property that I know had the timer changed (because the old one was due for replacement) and then the cheap rate went on for about 21 hours, then off for about 51 hours (instead of 7 & 17 hours). It took the supplier six months and many visits to put things right.

Suppliers do not have to know what time the night rate kicks in. That's down to your local Electric Distributor. And the price increases are never anything to do with the price per KWh. It's the damage inflicted on the average bill.

Economy 7 is worthless if you don't have storage heaters or have insomnia!