[Marty66]

Hi

I recently had a problem with my current tariff sorted out but it has raised something I hadn't noticed before.

My current fixed tariff carried over from E.on is called Fix Online v45.

I have an economy 7 meter which has 3 readings, day, night and I believe the 3rd is a seperate heating reading, My bills show the same rate for day and night as here:

Electricity

2000027905795
Fix Online v45
Fixed term ends 09/07/2022
Day rate
18.83 p/kWh

Night rate
18.83 p/kWh


Off peak rate
18.83 p/kWh

Standing charge
19.19 p/day

Electricity

2000027905786
Fix Online v45
Fixed term ends 09/07/2022
Day rate
18.83 p/kWh

Night rate
18.83 p/kWh


Off peak rate
18.83 p/kWh

Standing charge
19.19 p/day


It looks like the same rate is charged regardless of day/night even though I give day/night readings so perhaps the tariff is a single rate tariff after all?

If so thats not a problem as I don't remember specifically choosing an economy 7 tariff, it's just to clarify as I decide whether my new tariff will work out best as single rate or economy 7.

Thanks.

[theunknowntech]

No worries. You are also affected by the Radio Teleswitching Service shutdown and your current meter is technically at the end of its service life anyway, so I would strongly recommended considering upgrading to smart meters or at very least have the meter replaced with a newer one.

[DebF_EONNext]

Hey @Marty66,

I hope you're having a lovely weekend. When I fixed your issue on Friday I just pooped you back on the tariff you were previously on which is indeed the Flat 3 rate tariff you migrated with I hope this helps 😊 If you need any help when it comes to renewal you can either pop a message over on social media or give us a call on 0808 501 5200, our lines are open from 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday (excluding bank holidays) and speak to one of our energy specialists.

Deb 🌻

[Marty66]

Hi @meldrewreborn

Yes, theres a lot to take into consideration so I have a bit of thinking over the next couple of weeks regarding my renewal 😵


And thanks again @ DebF_EONNext hope youre having a lovely weekend too.


BTW.. What is a flat 3 rate tariff.. Am I right to say I am paying the same rate per kWh regardless of time of day/night & Heating/hot water, so essentially a single rate tariff where night/day/heating readings are added together at the same rate to give the total usage and then billed accordingly?

Thanks.

[theunknowntech]

Hi @Marty66 ,

That doesn't sound like a regular Economy 7 tariff. Please could you show me photos of your meters, as I'll need to see them to figure this one out.

Thanks!

[Marty66]

Here are some pics, cycling through the 3 rates, the other one is rate 1 and 2 combined.

[theunknowntech]

Thanks!

As I suspected, this is an SSE installed Superdeal meter. It is NOT an Economy 7 meter and to be honest, shouldn't really be used with Economy 7 tariffs. It is only "officially" compatible with SSE Superdeal and no other supplier. I think I'd best ask @DebF_EONNext to check that your tariff is setup correctly as there's otherwise a possibility you aren't being charged correctly. The third reading is explicitly for heating and hot water, while the other two readings behave somewhat like E7. If you're not giving all three every time, your bills will almost certainly be inaccurate.

[meldrewreborn]

@theunknowntech

it also appears that two standing charges are being applied which is highly likely to resulting in overcharging.

[Marty66]

Thanks for the responses.

The meter does switch over to rate 2 between Midnight and 7am but looks like it charges the same rate anyway.

I do have storage heaters and again by looking at the price per kWh on my bills they are all the same, day, night and heating/hot water.

Regarding the two standing charges, looking at my bills only one is actually charged the other one is deducted from the total cost of my bills, but thanks for pointing that out.

So other than using the heating in the winter months I use very little energy in the off peak hours compared to daytime hours, so even if I was on economy 7 I dont think I would be getting the best out of it.

I will delve into this a little further though just for peace of mind.

Thanks.

[meldrewreborn]

You would need the economy 7 rates to work out the pro/cons. The price cap standard rate is circa 29p per kWh at present and likely to rise again in October. You are not paying that yet but all fixes come to an end eventually. Although economy 7 charges higher rates by day the cheaper night rates more than compensate and night storage heaters are ideal for the purpose. Without doing the maths it’s not possible to identify the proportions of day/night usage that make the deal worthwhile.