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dmacbrew
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March 29, 2022
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Does my off-peak rate apply only to my storage heaters, or all night time usage?

  • March 29, 2022
  • 13 replies
  • 3531 views

Engineer fitting new meter today told me that only the storage heaters are wired up to night time tariff. This is at odds to what I had been led to believe - that all electricity used during those hours is charged at the lower rate. Which is right?

Best answer by Lukepeniket_OVO

Updated on 18/08/28 by Ben_OVO

As Blastoise has already pointed out because of your 5 terminal set up then the whole property will switch over to the low rate during your off peak times.

 

There is only a select few areas and setups which don't swap the whole property over.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

As you’ve got Economy 7 on a Five-Terminal setup, the storage heaters are wired up in a way that means they only ever operate during the cheap rate unless you activate Boost Mode outside of those times. However, ALL your usage during the Off-Peak hours will be charged at the cheaper night rate regardless of what you’re doing, not just the storage heaters.

On the flip side, all usage during the Peak hours will be charged at the more expensive day rate.

 

 

13 replies

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
November 26, 2023

I’d also like to remind readers that there is another type of Boost Mode at play - please do not confuse them as they are totally different.

Five-Terminal Smart Meters with Economy 7 functionality enabled often have a Boost Mode feature to enable the secondary load i.e. storage heaters/immersion heaters to run during Peak hours for a certain amount of time - but this is charged at Peak rates. When activated, the secondary load is energised for a pre-set amount of time before being de-energised again until either Boost Mode is triggered, or the Off-Peak hours kick in.

This is not the same as what a heater has on it.

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    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    November 26, 2023

    I’d also like to remind readers that there is another type of Boost Mode at play - please do not confuse them as they are totally different.

    …

    Just to be clear, there is also a difference in wiring depending on what is used/required. 
    The Boost from the meter uses the 5th terminal and switches power on for the pre-determined additional time. 
    A boost switch on the heater requires a supply from the peak wiring circuit if used in that fashion but the result is similar in that power used is charged at peak rates 

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      geebs46
      Newcomer
      November 27, 2023

      Info all appreciated! I have a very early storage heater without fancy controls: so simple a child can operate. Only adults seek clarification about their operation! Rgds 

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