Economy 7 Clock

[Famous5]

The mechanical clock on my Economy 7 has the wrong time. Who do I contact to get repair or replacement, as the unit is sealed to prevent tampering. Supplier is EDF

[factor-fiction]

Is it out by an hour because of the clock change?

I have economy 7 too and I'd be interested to know the exact timings of cheap rates.

Out of interest what proportion of your electricity is billed at the night rate? The average is supposed to be 55% but despite me doing all washing/dishwasher and tumble drying at night rates I can't get above 50%

[hc4361]

factor, do you use storage heaters, or an electric immersion heater for hot water?
If not, you won't achieve your goal.

Famous5, contact EDF first.

[factor-fiction]

Sorry yes, I heat the water on Economy 7 before breakfast, although we need to heat it again (by gas) for a bath at night

[hc4361]

It MAY be cheaper for you to switch to single rate, then, Factor.

[Famous5]

Thanks for your answers. It's not the clock change (I'm used to taking account of that as I've had E7 for over 20 years) - it's about 6 hours out. I'll get on to EDF

[factor-fiction]

When I last did the calculations I worked out Economy 7 was still cheaper provided I could exceed 40%, but I need to revisit that. I'm just curious as to how some people get to 60+% .

[factor-fiction]

Hi famous5- yes I realised my Economy 7 dial had stopped and everything was going through at higher rate, although it was sorted out eventually.

[Maydup]

Contact EDF Famous5 and ask for a meter check just to be sure, but your economy 7 will be telemetry controlled and possibly unrelated to the time set on the meter.

[Maydup]

Factor 30 - Economy 7 is either 11.00pm to 6.00am, 12.00am to 7.00am or 1.00am to 8.00am - varies according to where you live and your energy supplier.

And if you wash and dry clothes at nigt and heat water etc, I can't think what else you have left for the day except cooking and TV? If you do not have storage heaters then switch back to a normal tariff, E7 is of no benefit otherwise..

[hc4361]

Maidup, I don't have storage heaters but benefit from Economy 7.
It heats all my hot water for 8 months of the year; I use the washing machine, tumble drier and dishwasher on cheap electricity all year round.

[Maydup]

That's good to hear HC, I just can't think what else Factor can do to maximise the E7 and wonder if it is the best option.

[hc4361]

Use the oven as a slow cooker and cook casseroles overnight. Put the electric blankets on. Shower early in the morning or late at night.

But really, its the immersion heater, washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher - and the shower if it's electric and convenient.

[factor-fiction]

>Factor 30 - Economy 7 is either 11.00pm to 6.00am, 12.00am to 7.00am or 1.00am to 8.00am

Thanks Maidup, but I know it's not quite a straightforward as that. When my night rate meter was replaced about 15 years ago the fitter mentioned to me there were two periods of night rate. It was something like 11:30- 2:30 and then 4:00- 7:00 (in winter). Unfortunately I didn't really care about the details at the time so long as the key period of 5:00-7:00 was covered. I have also checked my meter and it seems to continue on E7 until around 7:20 in winter. I would however now like to make sure I'm heating water at the right time.

I have changed supplier about 10 times since then and am just changing over again now. Once my changeover is finished I'll ask my supplier but I have a feeling they won't have precise records for my meter and why should they bother to come out and test it for me?