Electricity costs

[Hadalifeonce]

My FiL is on an economy 7 tariff, his costs seem to be very high. He doesn't stay up late enough to use the nighttime benefit. I have tried checking on line, but can't find anything about whether day time units are more expensive if attached to economy 7.
Does anyone know, please?

Yes there may be a standing charge, increased daytime rate, or both. May be better off on a different tariff.

The day rate is a lot higher on Economy 7.

Thank you. It just seemed ridiculous he is paying something like £300 per month, he lives on his own. I did manage to get it down from £500 per month.
I will try to get him onto a standard tariff.

Yes the day rate will be higher than the night rate. Does he have storage heaters as that would be the main reason to have economy 7 as they charge up overnight?

No storage heaters, he has gas central heating. Hardly ever uses his oven, washing machine about very 10 days and dishwasher a couple of times a week. I was struggling to understand the cost of his electricity, but the over charge on day units make sense now. Thanks.

If he doesn't use electricity for heating then I'd see about changing his tariff although that may involve changing the meter if he has 2 rates (not sure exactly how it works).

The day rate on Economy 7 is higher - it’s a rate that only makes sense if you have night storage heaters. Your electricity provider should be able to switch you - and change the meter if needed. There is quite a delay in getting new meters (I am trying at the mo) but if you point out his circumstances the provider may be more proactive.

He needs to use at least 50% of his electricity at the night rate for it to be cost effective.

Generally speaking that means heating space (storage heaters) and water (cylinder heated by electricity) at night.

If he's heating with gas then it's money down the drain as yes, day rate will be more expensive.

But also, £300 even if extortionate pricing, seems awfully steep for a house with gas.

Just to illustrate in an all-electric 3 bed property, family of 4 (and I'm on a pretty poor rate due to "complex metering" 🙄)

March (storage heaters on): 970KWh total (£278 bill)

April (storage heaters off for last 3 weeks of the month, so water the biggest cost): 550KWh total (£132 bill)

Next month's consumption will drop down to around 400KWh and the bill should be down below £100.

We use a lot of hot water, so if our water was being heated by gas it would be much, much lower.

I have just logged onto his account, he is £1100 in credit! I have changed his DD to £100 per month,and will be asking for a refund to be sent to his account.
I will then look at his tariff costs. My concern if they change his meter, is they will install a smart meter.

Why is he on economy 7 if he’s not got storage heaters? You need to change his tariff they may not change his meters but wouldn’t smart meters be easier as they provide meter readings so his bills will be more accurate

No idea why Economy 7. I assume he inherited it from previous owners.
He is more than happy to provide readings.
I will have to do more research on costs in a standard tariff to work out what the costs would be based on his past usage.