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Rank 2
July 29, 2023
Solved

How can I get my Economy 7 times changed so my underfloor heating comes on earlier?

  • July 29, 2023
  • 15 replies
  • 1758 views

I have underfloor heating in my flat which had night rate settings on the old meter. Which means the heating comes on between 12 midnight to 7.30 am. I have a smart meter now but being 63 and feeling the cold i need the underfloor heating coming on during the day. I need OVO to change my settings or explain to me the situation, do i need a new tariff etc

BUT after 2 long conversations with OVO staff who couldn't help at the time but promised to get back to me(they haven't) with information.

Anybody else had the same problems as i need to sort this out before winter

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 25/03/25 by Ben_OVO

Howdy!

This is an easy fix. Please ask the Support Team to configure the ECAUL and ALCS configs for your meter via SMETS Commands. That’ll sort things out for you. :)

Economy 7 (E7) is a plan devised to use electricity at a cheaper rate during seven hours at night when demand is lowest. When combined with night storage heaters, it can be an effective way of heating a house; these are basically just ordinary heating elements running through a load of special bricks. The bricks absorb heat while the elements are on, then release it slowly during the day. It’s likely that there were once storage heaters in your flat, which were later replaced by underfloor heating.

It’s the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that lays down the times when they’re prepared to sell electricity at a discount, so not even your supplier can change this.

As you’ve discovered, E7 isn’t the right sort of tariff for houses with underfloor heating, or indeed any other sort of electric heating unless there are also batteries that could store the cheaper electricity for use during the day. You’ll have a nice warm house during the night, but it will be cold during the day. Batteries are still very expensive, though. If your underfloor heating is wired such that it only turns on during E7 hours, you’re better off without E7. On a standard tariff, you would pay the same price per unit all day; it will be more than you’re currently paying during the night, but less during the day. You should be able to see the difference on the Plans page. 

It should be possible to have this changed remotely by the support staff.

 

15 replies

BPLightlog
Super User
Super User
October 13, 2023

@Dusty60 an economy 7 tariff gives lower off peak (over night) electricity but the peak (day rate) is higher than standard. As the supplier sets these rates, that’s why no one else can adjust the timer. 
You could change to a standard rate but that wouldn’t give any off peak price as all times are priced at standard rate. 
The rates vary by region so you would need to check for yourself. 
https://plans.ovoenergy.com/

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Dusty60Author
Rank 2
October 13, 2023

So basically if i change my tariff my underfloor heating will work 24 hours a day if need rather than just on the night rate ??

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
October 13, 2023

So basically if i change my tariff my underfloor heating will work 24 hours a day if need rather than just on the night rate ??

 

Yes

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Dusty60Author
Rank 2
October 13, 2023

Thank you so much

I am looking into this as we speak

Cheers

Firedog
Super User
Super User
October 13, 2023

 

Why am i on economy 7 tariff anyway, what does it mean and what are the alternatives.

 

Economy 7 (E7) is a plan devised to use electricity at a cheaper rate during seven hours at night when demand is lowest. When combined with night storage heaters, it can be an effective way of heating a house; these are basically just ordinary heating elements running through a load of special bricks. The bricks absorb heat while the elements are on, then release it slowly during the day. It’s likely that there were once storage heaters in your flat, which were later replaced by underfloor heating.

It’s the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that lays down the times when they’re prepared to sell electricity at a discount, so not even your supplier can change this.

As you’ve discovered, E7 isn’t the right sort of tariff for houses with underfloor heating, or indeed any other sort of electric heating unless there are also batteries that could store the cheaper electricity for use during the day. You’ll have a nice warm house during the night, but it will be cold during the day. Batteries are still very expensive, though. If your underfloor heating is wired such that it only turns on during E7 hours, you’re better off without E7. On a standard tariff, you would pay the same price per unit all day; it will be more than you’re currently paying during the night, but less during the day. You should be able to see the difference on the Plans page. 

It should be possible to have this changed remotely by the support staff.

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |