Can I swap my RTS timer for a Time switch instead of using a smart meter?

[Polfers]

Hi

Not an electrician, so would have a pro in to do this if its possible to do.

I have economy 7 for my heating and have brand new Quantum wi-fi enabled heaters: 3 X 1.5 KW 1 X 1.0 KW. Hot water is from bottled gas using Rinnai 55KW instant hot water boiler. Heating in bedrooms (3) and bathrooms (2) are by panel heaters with one heated towel rail.

I have an old style rotating disc meter connected to an RTS timer. I don't want a smart meter. I believe that before RTS, mechanical (Venner) time switches were used, and some of these are still in use, so those folks won't HAVE to move to smart meter. Question: is there a modern day equivelent means of replacing the RTS time unit with a sufficiently rated mechanical or electronic timer (or timer and suitably rated contactor unit), instead of a smart meter?

Thanks

 

[mainline]

Hi

Not an electrician, so would have a pro in to do this if its possible to do.

I have economy 7 for my heating and have brand new Quantum wi-fi enabled heaters: 3 X 1.5 KW 1 X 1.0 KW. Hot water is from bottled gas using Rinnai 55KW instant hot water boiler. Heating in bedrooms (3) and bathrooms (2) are by panel heaters with one heated towel rail.

I have an old style rotating disc meter connected to an RTS timer. I don't want a smart meter. I believe that before RTS, mechanical (Venner) time switches were used, and some of these are still in use, so those folks won't HAVE to move to smart meter. Question: is there a modern day equivelent means of replacing the RTS time unit with a sufficiently rated mechanical or electronic timer (or timer and suitably rated contactor unit), instead of a smart meter?

Thanks

There are lots din rail timers that could be fitted in a small enclosure along with a contactor to do what you want.

Why are you averse to having a smart meter ?

 

[snowhead]

No you can't use your own timeswitch as it's used to switch the rate in the meter so would have to be supplier approved, provided and sealed to stop / deter tampering.
And current energy suppliers don't use mechanical or electronic time switches.

I'm on a dual rate meter with built in RTS as I used to be on E.7,
I'm no longer on E.7 as I didn't use enough off peak to justify the extra cost on day rate, so I'm on a single rate with both readings combined by the supplier (no help to the O.P tho.)

Despite what my supplier(s) have been saying for the last 3 years or so my heating / power supply won't be affected when RTS is turned off next year, if they stick to this date, as my meter will just stay on a single meter reading.

I've just been ignoring the suggestions and prebooked appointments they keep sending saying that I must change to a "Smart" meter.
If there actually was a "Smart" meter I'd have one, but the ones they are fitting are nowwhere near Smart.
If they constantly changed suppliers to get the best rate hour by hour then I'd call that Smart.

Having worked with electricity for almost all my 51 year working life, (which finished around 7 years ago) I can tell when I'm using more or less of it.
I don't need an in home display to tell me, which if it breaks / fails after 12 months you the customer have to pay for a new one.

And the "Smart" gas meters are battery powered, were designed to last 10 years but have been regularly failing in less time than that, turning the gas off when they do fail.
The batteries cannot be changed on site, a new / refurbed gas meter has to be fitted.