Background:
Laura (not her real name) had new electric storage heaters installed in her home through the Cosy Homes scheme. She was unaware that these heaters required an Economy 7 electricity tariff to be cost-effective, which led to some complications with her energy billing shortly after installation.
Housing Conditions and Challenges:
The lack of initial information about tariff requirements meant Laura remained on her existing standard electricity tariff, resulting in high bills for approximately four weeks. Her original supplier didn’t offer Economy 7, so she had to switch to EDF, which caused a delay. She formally complained and received a refund of £85.
Energy Usage and Resident Actions:
Laura is now on an Economy 7 tariff (active since 27 February) and monitors her usage using an app. Her heaters charge from 12 AM to 5 AM and release heat throughout the day. She’s been advised to leave them on and adjust via thermostat settings. She also uses a panel heater for her hallway and a towel rail in her bathroom.
Support and Advice Provided by Greener Homes:
- Clarified how Economy 7 works and how it benefits her system.
- Shared Elnur UK’s YouTube channel to help her adjust heater settings as needed.
- Encouraged her to continue monitoring usage via her app.
- Will pass her feedback to Cosy Homes for improved customer information in future installations.
Resident Soundbites:
“It would’ve helped to know about Economy 7 before the heaters went in.”
Impact and Next Steps:
Laura now understands her heating system and tariff much better and is saving on energy costs. Her feedback has been valuable in highlighting a communication gap that Greener Homes will work to address for future residents.