Change to Econ. 7 and new storage heaters (electrics question)

[dave]

Due to the latest hike in gas and electricity prices I've been looking at what's available from other suppliers. (Why it should be any cheaper for any other companies if the increase is due to global oil prices is another something I don't understand - but that's another matter).

All (most) of the online deals I could find from alternative suppliers offered up to £250 pa saving on my present bill (which I take with APOS) but only if I did both gas and electricity. I don't expect anything like that much but at least that's what's prompted this post.

It's the elec. side that needs sorting out.

We have 3 x 3kW storage heaters running on an ancient tariff called Tariff 19!. I think we may be the only ones in the UK still running this tariff :-) I has it's own meter which is used ONLY for the storage heaters. Not only is the tariff old, but so are the heaters and the 3 x 15 amp CU that feeds them. The T/E cable is in good condition and I've tested the insulation with a 1kV mega. These old heaters need 2 boosts per day unlike the newer Economy 7's with which I want to replace them with. Now the question is how best to organise the work so I can ask the electricity company to switch me over to E7 with minimum fuss/cost.

Presumably they would have to remove the existing Tariff 19 meter and timer box, fit a new E7 meter (or retain the existing one - which is only 1 year old) and jumper the existing feed to the heater CU into that meter (to still feed the heaters from it's own CU). I'd like to change that heaters' CU myself for a new one with MCB's and an RCB Any problems with any of the above so far?

Any idea how much I sould expect to pay for the elec. co. to do the changeover to E7? Any hidden surprises I could expect - like "we'd only do it if we rewire the whole house". Or even have to retest the whole installation?

If they should want (say) just to test the 3 heaters via the new CU, could I drop the heater feeds from the CU so it isn't feeding anything (and so nothing to test)? As I'm going to retest that myself anyway when the new heaters are in. Do the new regs affect whether I can - sorry, "am allowed" to do any of the above. Thanks

[fred]

In article , dave writes

After my mum had her second meter removed a couple of months ago I think you are right.

I had thought meter _type_ changes were free but then I've only made the conversion from E7 to single and from your Tariff 19 (or equiv) to single. Not an authoritative answer I'm afraid but I know that type changes are monitored as a performance indicator so your supplier should be quick off the mark with making the change, and (hopefully) giving you a price (if any).

I would get your new heaters in with new CU etc and connect to your old second meter before asking them to change, then the guy will come & see a bright & shiny new (but pre Apr2004) installation waiting to be changed over.

I'm assuming electricity is you only option?

[dave]

I take it Apr 2004 was the date of new regs coming into force then?

[fred]

[meow2222]

E7 is the very last type of heating to choose. You must have no other option, oil, tank gas, nothing. Block of flats in the country?

No you cant fool them with unconnected leads, get real.

NT

[dave]

tank gas - get real! I know the econonics of it but thought better than to type out pages of irrelevant circumstance here.

See the above

Wrong again! I'm not even *trying* to fool *anybody*. If I was I'd make a better job of it than than. The idea (try and concentrate) is than if there's nothing to test, then they probably don't want to test it. Eg If a test is to be done they generally don't ask me to put it 3 or 4 extra rings so they can test 'em just for fun. Sheesh! I was asking the more astute reader what the regs demanded in such circumstances. Get real.

If you can't offer something helpful, why post such a pointless reply? Does it make your ego swell even more or what? Go and start an OT somewhere else.

[fred]

In article , fred writes

Bugger, sorry Apr2004 was windows, Apr2005 was leccy (I think), so many projects, so little respect for unnecessary legislation . . .

[Richard Faulkner]

In message , dave writes

I think you have confused everybody because your original post mentions electric & gas, and then that it's the electric side which needs sorting out.

Somebody has asked if you have gas, and I'm not sure if you have answered.

I am guessing that you dont have gas, or the facility to have it installed. Is that the case?

If you do have gas, gas central heating is the answer - but you know that!

[meow2222]

ok. I dont do mind reading here, only know what you've typed, and that most people thinking of E7 heating need to know that.

I shall refrain from offering you any other info.

NT

[Hugo Nebula]

On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 16:08:25 GMT, a particular chimpanzee named fred randomly hit the keyboard and produced:

You're nicked, sonny! Electrics was 1st Jan 2005.

[Owain]

Wasn't there a 3 month grace period for work started before 1st Jan?

Owain

[Rob Morley]

January for starting new work, April for finishing old work.

[fred]

In article , Hugo Nebula writes

Thank god you're not my BCO, will fake it better next time :-)