off peak energy?

Dist · 23 Jul 2008 at 22:42

I havn't found much info online about it and i have read different things from different sources so i hope OcUK can help. Basicaly i would like to know if british gas charge less for electric at off peak times?

It was my brother who brought up the subject when suggesting that if british gas do offer cheaper electric off peak, then running our washing machine and our tumble dryer late at night could save a fair ammount of cash over the course of a year.

bsoltan · 23 Jul 2008 at 22:52

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_7

is the name of a tariff provided by United Kingdom electricity suppliers that uses base load generation to provide cheap night-time electricity.

Houses using the Economy 7 tariff require a special electricity meter which provides two different readings - one for the day period and one for the night period. The night (off-peak) period lasts for seven hours, hence the name.

me227 · 23 Jul 2008 at 22:54

I think they do have different rates (well they do with electric). But I don't think it makes that much of a difference to be honest.

2blue4u · 23 Jul 2008 at 23:47

only electric - not gas.

But you need an Economy 7 meter. If you already have one then your Supply Number (on the bill) begins with 02 instead of 01.

And it's hardly worth having Econ 7 unless you have storage heaters.

Energize · 24 Jul 2008 at 00:51

2blue4u said:
And it's hardly worth having Econ 7 unless you have storage heaters.

Or your nocturnal like me.

Dist · 24 Jul 2008 at 13:53

2blue4u said:
And it's hardly worth having Econ 7 unless you have storage heaters.

So it wont be much of a saving? I ask because i have a pc running 24/7 along with several other devices, a couple fridge/freezers and such, and with off peak electric, all of them will be cheaper during the offpeak period, and if i do my washing and drying off peak too, wouldnt that generate more saving then having to pay full peak price 24/7 ?

monkeyspank · 24 Jul 2008 at 14:05

I run these at night on timers: washing machine, dryer and dishwasher. PC downloading overnight but not on a timer

2blue4u · 24 Jul 2008 at 22:52

Dist said:
So it wont be much of a saving? I ask because i have a pc running 24/7 along with several other devices, a couple fridge/freezers and such, and with off peak electric, all of them will be cheaper during the offpeak period, and if i do my washing and drying off peak too, wouldnt that generate more saving then having to pay full peak price 24/7 ?

there won't be any saving at all. On an Economy 7 tariff, you have cheaper units at night (midnight to 6 I think) but all your daytime units cost far more than they otherwise would.

No matter how much leccy you think you use between midnight and 6, because of computers you run or because you operate a chinese laundry from your room, it will never be sufficient to make Econ 7 worthwhile unless you have night storage radiators.

GreenMint · 25 Jul 2008 at 02:09

2blue4u speaks the truth, I have the "honor"

of working for e-on at the minute, and see people racking up stupid bills on economy 7 cause they don't have storage heaters, and from that, and the limited nighttime usage, the day rates are higher and they get screwed over by that.

If you have storage heaters, or literally ARE out all day and only in and using power at midnight-7am, then economy 7 is for you!

if not, you're just increasing your bill by having normal daytime usage at a higher rate, and "normal" night time usage at a "low rate" which really makes you no saving,but loses you money.

Hope thats of some help?

YoungBlood · 25 Jul 2008 at 02:51

Im with British Gas, for me it's 15p per KwH 8am till 10pm.

10pm till 8am its 5p per KwH.