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FClarke
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November 5, 2024
Solved

move from THTC to smart meter

  • November 5, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 438 views

OVO tell me that I have to chose either economy 7 or economy 10 before I can book a smart meter appointment as they need different smart meters?  Does this mean I won’t be able to move tariff once the smart meter is installed? 
 

Also they tell me they will fit a timer so that I can boost heating with convection heaters on the off peak rate or boost the hot water?  I am quite confused as at the moment all our heating, hot water, and electric shower operate on the off peak rate at any time of day. I understood that they had to offer the same set up but they tell me they will support this type of tariff?  Can some one explain how the hot water, shower and panel heaters will work or what tariff they will run on? Or will they only run at cheap rate during the economy 10 hours. How do my quantum storage heaters know when the cheap rate is?

I find the whole situation confusing and unfair when we have the THTC tariff and set up because we have no mains gas option and it is cold in the North East of Scotland!  I can see our electric bills rising hugely!

HELP!

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Best answer by Firedog

  

Does this mean I won’t be able to move tariff once the smart meter is installed? 
 

I’m afraid the answer to that is it depends who you ask. With the smart meter you will get, it ought to be possible. Sadly, though, just because it’s possible it doesn’t mean that they will do it. 
  

… they will fit a timer so that I can boost heating with convection heaters on the off peak rate or boost the hot water? 
… all our heating, hot water, and electric shower operate on the off peak rate at any time of day. … will they only run at cheap rate during the economy 10 hours.
  

The new system isn’t at all like your THTC arrangement. One big difference is that all usage in offpeak periods is charged at the offpeak rate, regardless of whether it’s for heating or hoovering. There are two timers involved; one of them determines whether current usage is recorded on the peak meter register or the offpeak one. The other switches power to a dedicated heating circuit on and off, usually at the same times as the first one.   
  

How do my quantum storage heaters know when the cheap rate is?
 

It depends on the type of heater, but in any case they will only normally get power for charging during the offpeak periods. They will be turned on and off by the second time switch I mentioned above.

Many storage heaters and water immersion heaters have two feeds: one on the dedicated offpeak circuit (the switched circuit) and the other on the ‘domestic’ 24-hour circuit (the constant circuit). Some storage heaters use this circuit out of offpeak hours to keep its own controls running, and to make it possible to boost the heater’s output by operating as an ordinary fan heater. This will be charged at peak rates except during offpeak periods. For water heating, the constant feed makes it possible to boost the water temperature if somebody used all the hot water. Again, if you use the boost function outside of offpeak periods, it will be charged at peak rates.

You should find that the Economy 10 tariff doesn’t cost you much more or less than your current arrangement, but you’ll have to do your sums. I hope you’ve been told what the available tariff rates are. 
 

 

3 replies

Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper UserSolved
Super User
November 5, 2024

  

Does this mean I won’t be able to move tariff once the smart meter is installed? 
 

I’m afraid the answer to that is it depends who you ask. With the smart meter you will get, it ought to be possible. Sadly, though, just because it’s possible it doesn’t mean that they will do it. 
  

… they will fit a timer so that I can boost heating with convection heaters on the off peak rate or boost the hot water? 
… all our heating, hot water, and electric shower operate on the off peak rate at any time of day. … will they only run at cheap rate during the economy 10 hours.
  

The new system isn’t at all like your THTC arrangement. One big difference is that all usage in offpeak periods is charged at the offpeak rate, regardless of whether it’s for heating or hoovering. There are two timers involved; one of them determines whether current usage is recorded on the peak meter register or the offpeak one. The other switches power to a dedicated heating circuit on and off, usually at the same times as the first one.   
  

How do my quantum storage heaters know when the cheap rate is?
 

It depends on the type of heater, but in any case they will only normally get power for charging during the offpeak periods. They will be turned on and off by the second time switch I mentioned above.

Many storage heaters and water immersion heaters have two feeds: one on the dedicated offpeak circuit (the switched circuit) and the other on the ‘domestic’ 24-hour circuit (the constant circuit). Some storage heaters use this circuit out of offpeak hours to keep its own controls running, and to make it possible to boost the heater’s output by operating as an ordinary fan heater. This will be charged at peak rates except during offpeak periods. For water heating, the constant feed makes it possible to boost the water temperature if somebody used all the hot water. Again, if you use the boost function outside of offpeak periods, it will be charged at peak rates.

You should find that the Economy 10 tariff doesn’t cost you much more or less than your current arrangement, but you’ll have to do your sums. I hope you’ve been told what the available tariff rates are. 
 

 

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. |
    A
    Newcomer
    amcf
    Newcomer
    January 16, 2025

    I live in Arbroath, North East Scotland. I am shortly switchjng to a smart meter from my THTC meters. I have Quantum storage heaters. What would be the best tariff?

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    January 16, 2025

    Unfortunately there are so many things to consider  making it very difficult to make any sort of informed suggestions. 
    This thread might be useful 

    There are other discussions elsewhere about choosing an appropriate tariff if you search the forum

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