Hi,

My electricity supplier is currently billing me on a domestic Economy7 tariff. On my last bill my consumption was 132 night units and 827 day units. By my current understanding this pattern of comsumption would be cheaper on a single rate tariff. My electricity supplier informs me that they are not allowed to charge me a single rate tariff if I have a dual rate meter installed and I would have to pay to have the meter replaced.

Is it normal industry policy to insist on a change of meter and are my assumptions about my bill being cheaper if I switch away from Economy7 correct?

Many thanks,

Rob.

Our neighbour had the same problem with Southern Electricity. He had been on Economy 7 since he moved into his house 4 years ago, although he doesn't have storage heaters or any benefit from being on an Economy 7 tariff. We telephoned the supplier and they are coming to fit a new meter and remove him from this tariff next week.

Your assumption is correct, if you don't have storage heaters or appliances that predominently run at night and not during the day, it would be cheaper to be on a single tariff. Economy 7 rates during the day are much more expensive. Your consumption history demonstrates that you are not reaping any benefit from Economy 7.

Put pressure on the supplier.

Thanks for your response.

I think I will follow your advice and get back in touch with my supplier to ask them to change the meter.

rob01,

As a rule of thumb, consumers benefit from E7 if they use more than 20% of their energy during the E7 hours i.e. 1am - 8am. If this is not the case, and you don't have storage heaters, then you would be better off on a standard credit meter.

There shouldn't be a fee for having this done and it may be worth calling around a few providers to see if they are willing to take on your energy supply and change your meter for free.