Economy 7 Circuit

[MsHaveago]

At the moment I have inefficient storage heaters as I am all electric. I do intend to get rid of them, and only use two out of five, now.
As only the Heating and Hot water is linked to Eco 7 is it within regulations for me to change the Pole switches over to sockets after unwiring the unused heaters from them?
I can then use the replacement sockets for ironing, hoovering, etc., using the cheaper rate electricity before it times out. I do get up early so I could also use my mini cooker, too!
Anything to cut down the electric bill!
I have changed singles to doubles and wired in lights and light switches so I am confident!
Many thanks!

 

[pjcomp]

It's OK to do that, but may not be as economic as you think. As you have Economy 7 your "daytime" rate will be higher than would otherwise be the case. Check out the supplier tariffs that would be available if you didn't have the E7.

pj

 

[ericmark]

Although we call it Economy 7 there are many different systems with some the DNO switch the power with others the user switches the power and with latter it can be central or local switched. Economy 7 it the tariff name not system name. There are other tariffs now I think Economy 10 has a boost time as well as night supply.

The heaters can be 10kW although unlikely in your case they are normally central heat stores fitted at the time the home was built with hot air supplied when required to the rooms. There are also hot water systems again not in your case but may be an option for retro-fitting.

The small radiators are normally either designed to run from a 13A or 16A supply. With the former FCU can be used but with latter needs a bank of 16A MCB's in a consumer unit.

Although in theroy 13A can also be drawn from a plug when the plugs were redesigned with finger protection it also resulted in less heat being dissipated from the plug. In most cases drawing 13A for 1/2 hour is OK the plug gets hot but not over the limits. With a storage heater it would be drawing heat for well over 1/2 hour so standard 13A plugs are not suitable would need to be non fused plug.

As long as this is realised then yes a system where you have control over when the power is used is possible. So any item drawing power at the discounted times would use the power at the low rate. This may need a meter change and also you would need to ensure heaters did not draw power at the wrong time.

As will many electrical systems there is no easy answer. There are so many systems some no longer available to new customers so even looking on internet may not give you answers. Theory says yes can be done. But without knowing exactly way system and tariff you already have it's a bit of guess work. Likely answer is yes you can.

 

[Lectrician]

Lets have a photo of your metering, if you are on a true E7 tariff, ALL your power will be cheap during the off peak rate (and they will kindly switch your off peak heating for you).

Swapping the switches for sockets would only be sensible if there was 30mA RCD protection on them (unlikely).

 

[bernardgreen]

There is a hazard with the use of appliances plugged into remotely switched sockets. You use the iron and forget to unplug it. At the next period of off peak power it comes on. You may not be in the house and a fire hazard exists.

Storage heaters are designed with that hazard in mind. Most other appliances are not. Especially fan heaters which should never be used un-attended.

 

[ericmark]

you make a very good point one I had overlooked. Active RCD sockets I suppose would be the answer?

 

[kai]

Active RCD sockets are a great idea - solves both problems at once - unintentional energisation of supply AND 30mA RCD protection in one compact unit.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But look at how much they cost - the ROI time if you put them in so that you can use off-peak electricity would be extremely long.