Suitable tariff for electric wet central heating system

[pvsdb]

I bought a 60s flat in Glasgow which has only electricity, no gas. I wanted the flexibility of a gas-powered CH system through rads so installed a Heatrae Sadia Electromax electric boiler to power 7 radiators. All works well. But the flat had had a White Meter to accommodate the previous storage heater system which I had pulled out. I thought I could connect the boiler to the white meter system to get cheaper water heating. Instead, Scottish Power have put me on a tariff which bypasses the white meter. They say this will be just as economical.

So my question is - can anyone suggest what kind of tariff should be best for this setup? We are out all day Monday to Friday so need heat early mornings, evenings and weekends. Any advice appreciated to help me deal with Scottish Power or alternative suppliers. Thanks.

[Someone-Else]

Since you are looking for an alternative supplier have you tried Uswitch?

[kellys_eye]

Given your heating requirement times I'm surprised they put you onto the standard tariff.

In Scotland the E7 system is 'variable' in that they give you 6 hours overnight plus two additional hours during the day - the daytime hours vary according to the weather (I'm not entirely sure how they specify this though).

If you had the boiler wired to E7 and on a timer you could use two hours prior to the end of the overnight to get the mornign heat plus the two hours during the day to help with your evening requirement. You would need an over ride switch to allow use of standard rate electricity for heating requirements outside the E7 period and for boosting purposes.

I get the impression that the suppliers give you the service that suits THEM and not the user - what legalities exist to protect you from such underhand methods is questionable.

Make up your own timetable for when you expect the power to be required - then compare the cost based on the E7 rate and domestic (the E7 being, generally, HALF the domestic rate).

I suggest that they will claim that due to your hours of occupation and the differences between your consumption on-peak and off-peak, plus the vagaries of their 'standing charge' methods, you'll find there's not a lot in it. It's basically a con. If you use the domestic (higher rate) you'll not pay a high standing charge but if you use the E7 rate you WILL be charged the highest standing charge rate.

Like I said. It's a con.

[caravan72]

Electric wet is really only suitable for smaller well insulated homes the tariff usually associated with these systems is E10 and there are several suppliers that can offer this, E7 as stated in one of the replys is the English version of what they call up here in my area E8, E7 gives you 7 hours overnight from around midnight to 7am approx, E8 is the same but 8 hours overnight where it has been advised that you can get 6 hours overnight and 2 during the day will have several names for this depending which area you are in, my area Hydro, calls it Storage Heating Control, where you have been advised the times are weather controled again in my area it's called Total heating Total Control, this provides 3 charge up periods in 24hs again the colder it is the longer they leave the radio controlled switch on supplying power to the storage heaters, This may be called Comfort Control in Scottish powers area, E10 gives access to low rate power from 4.30am to 7.30am, then 1.30pm to 4.30pm and lastly 8.30pm to 12.30 midnight, all power used during these periods is on the low rate and outwith on the high rate. So you could have your heating on early untill 7.30am but have it on during the afternoon period, if the house stays warm until 8.30pm fine but you may have to boost it before this and it would be on the high rate. The domestic hot water controller can be set if you have that, a good one is a Horstman which can be set for 3 periods of heating in a day so it can be timed to pick up the cheap rate. Also a timer that has 6 events to work round the cheap rate periods.
You say there isn't gas in the building but it may be in the street, If I was u I would contact Scotland gas Networks for a price to connect if there is a supply in the street and you install an A rated condensing combi boiler you already have the distribution system. Hope this helps.

[pvsdb]

Thanks guys. All helpful. Need time to digest and decide. More later.

[caravan72]

Thanks guys. All helpful. Need time to digest and decide. More later.

Sorry, forgot to add, uswitch only has the facility to say if you have an E7 meter, thats a pain when doing comparisons for clients.

[cjd83]

as someone mentioned you can get a economy 10 and some companies also offer an economy 18 which gives 18 hours at a lower rate not sure what the tariff are like for these though if you are going with a e10 then ask for a split e10 as it may be cheaper due to the fact that it only has 2 rates not 3 and when the low rate comes on for heating your whole house will be on the lower rater so you can then put washing machines\tumble dryers ect... on

[big-all]

if you switch via money saving expert they give back half the money they get for getting your business usually £30
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilit ... lectricity

and check through more than one site as not all providers are on all sites