Switching from two meters to one

I have a really awkward set up in my house - I only have electricity, no gas, so my heating and hot water are on a separate meter from everything else in the house. I would like to get my two meters switched to one - is this possible?

I want to switch supplier, but no-one will take me because of the two meters. I asked my current supplier to remove the two meters and replace with one, and they told me that it was not possible, and the 'only way' I could switch to one meter would be if I had gas central heating installed!

Is this really true? I could understand it if my supplier were saying that *they* wouldn't do it, or that there would be a charge, but they're telling me it's simply impossible, which is hard to believe given that most people I know have a single meter, albeit with gas central heating.

Thanks for any advice anyone can give.

Comments

Hi, You need to have a load

Hi, You need to have a load assessment carried out (or do one yourself) so you know what your total load is. If this is over 100Amps then there may be an issue of the supply not coping with your heating load. There are manys round this which will depend on your situation, budget, and on going needs. Things like removing some heaters, using differant heaters, installing timers or controlers,a single 3 phase supply etc, can help. There should be no single reason why it can not be done - the question is why they are saying no in this case.
Regards
Jim Goldfinch
www.rjgoldfinch.co.uk

Hi, I think you need insist

Hi, I think you need insist that someone of a technical ability needs to visit your house from your electricity supplier, how the hell do they know what you have down a phone line.

Also how big is your house and how many heaters do you have.

These guys are right. But

These guys are right. But I'll assume a couple of things. The heating tank is maybe a 2.5/3KW one, max current drawn from that would be a little over 13A. Then you need to look at ALL your appliance fittings. ie say you had 13 lights in total then that's 1300Watts Max(100 Watt per fitting) then that would draw a little under 6A Max. I think you get the picture, and I hope I'm not straying. So essentially if you could calculate all the current drawing appliances at their maximum use, (basically everything on), and it came to less than 100A then there most definately is no reason why you couldn't have the one meter, so long as it's got RCD's for the appropiate circuit, the cables are in good condition etc etc etc.
However if your house drew over the 100Amps then that would be a problem because I think that mostly all domestic premises only have 100Amps incoming to use, if you know what I mean. Then it would seem that you're going to be stuck with the two meters, probably each rated at 100A?? I'm just guessing now.
Anyway I hope that helps and that I haven't strayed too far off the ball.

Flying Sparkie

Sorry Jim, just read your

Sorry Jim, just read your post again, hopefully I've re-enforced what you said. oops.

Flying Sparkie

Hi It sounds to me (obviously

Hi
It sounds to me (obviously without seeing the installation) that you have an on peak meter (lights, sockets etc) and and off peak meter (immersion and storage heaters (assuming the heating is storage heaters)).
This is a relatively normal setup for electric heating and you should be on an economy 7 tariff (or economy 10 but this is unusual). An economy 7 tariff has two rates, on peak and off peak. The off peak reading is the meter that does your heating and this should be switched by a time clock, giving you power for 7 hours over night. The off peak meter rate is usually much lower than the on peak rate. That cheaper rate and the time clock is the reason for the separate meter. I would suggest you check you are on an economy 7 tariff or you will be paying a lot more for your electricity than you need to.
You can get it all on one meter (subject to the loading not being over 100A) but your heaters will A; be constantly on and B; be on the on peak meter on cost you a fortune to run.
If you really want it on one meter by all means get it done, but I would recommend looking into you tariff first, and no, I wouldn't suggest it unless you have another form of heating in place (gas or oil).
Hope that makes sense
If you need any more info let me know
Jon (Firstfield Electrical)

Hi, Thanks for all your

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies. I did a quick load calculation, and even overestimating a lot of things it comes to less than 100A. Having phoned the supplier and asked for an explanation, they have now changed their tune to 'you need to get a private electrician' - if only they had said this in the first place instead of telling me it was categorically not possible!

Anon - I don't have economy 7, but because I rarely use the electric underfloor heating (it's not very good) or the immersion heater (shower, washing machine etc. heat their own water; I live alone so no point heating a whole tank just for me!), it would actually work out much more expensive for me, as I'd get a higher rate on my lights/appliances and use hardly any units of the lower rate.

Thanks again for your help.