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Rank 2
March 10, 2024
Solved

Faulty traditional meter

Hiya, went to take a meter reading as usual (non smart meter) but the display is flashing alternately 000 18 and 8888.8.8 and TOT with a sporadic red flash (assuming this is consuming?) and no actual reading!

 

I’ve emailed OVO but no chat till tomorrow…is there an easy fix like batteries/reset or something? (we’ve not long owned the house so not sure how it all works!)

Thanks.

 

waltyboy
waltyboyBest Answer
Rank 8
March 10, 2024

Updated on 02/07/25 by Chris_OVO:


Not got the answers you need? The following topics may be helpful:
 

 

Hi @zedzedhoney, can well understand how you must feel anxious about the whole meter thing on a remote island; but don’t worry, as @fancyabrew says, your smart meter when fitted will be no worse than your present meter even if its limited “smartness” MAY mean you still need to take manual readings. AND it will be better in the sense that a new smart meter can handle dual tariffs, so will be able to manage both your regular tariff and your Economy tariff, assuming there are no dreadful cabling issues or lack of room in a small cupboard or some other unsuitability issues. So the meter would automatically have you on the reduced off peak tariff (midnight to 0700? or whichever you are on at the moment). 
 

As @Blastoise186 says, the “05 02” sticker is wildly out of date now and you could maybe ask for a calibration check when it’s replaced, as some of your billing (less heating and hot water) for the past 9 months has been based on it…of course, such a check could work either way I suppose!
 

But I’m wondering if it’s the change from a 9999.99 reading to a 0000.00 reading which has prompted the current shenanigans from your meter?  You mention a previous reading of something like 9875.33…so usage over 3 or 4 winter months on that island of yours could well have made a difference of 124.67 kWh or so?

 

Good luck with it all, and as I say, don’t worry, you will at the very least be no worse off with a modern smart meter, and chances are it will actually prove to be easier in use for you, and who knows? its smart communications may well work, depending on where within your house its sited, and where your house itself is sited on the island. Maybe depending where the island itself is sited! Depending on how well known some of your neighbours are to you now after nine months, (and how close geographically they are!) one or two of them might have some interesting or relevant stories?! 

Walt. 2013: 3.2kW PV East/West + Fronius IG, as at 01 Sep 2026 30 MWh, of which 22 MWh exported. 2023: 2.4kWh LiFePo4 battery. 2024: Tadö wireless smart stat v3; Electriq split unit 2.6kW AAHP (“air conditioner”). 2026: Hyundai Inster 02 EV.

88 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
March 11, 2024

OVO does have a VERY limited stock of replacements for exotic meters. However, it’s definitely not an infinite supply in a bottomless vault so they will eventually run out. But I’m not sure how many are left or if I can query the stocks...

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
Rank 2
March 11, 2024

I have a similar set up with the two meters.  It was also my daytime meter which failed and it was replaced with another legacy meter so I think they can still source them, albeit maybe with difficulty now.  

 

Surely, they can retain a stock of meters that have been removed and replaced by smart meters for this eventuality until a reliable smart meter for THTC set ups is in place?

So just off phone, I think this is what they’ll try to do and send an engineer to replace broken standard meter like for like, the pickle being how quickly they can get over to us.

They WILL NOT remove/disconnect or replace the THTC meter even if I pay them.

They will not allow me to get an engineer of my own to disconnect/remove it and if I do it will be illegal tampering.

They will not install a smart meter as they say none exist currently that can serve an MPN17 Highlands/Islands area.

There is no cheaper tariff available.

I cannot switch supplier as nobody will have me due to the THTC being in place.

I am just to take their word for it what my usage is till the broken meter is replaced (the engineer will ‘read’ the broken meter when he comes…till then I will be accruing an unknown amount of debt)

Theres no definitive dates for any of this being resolved, but within the year all meters will be Smart, the signal will turn off and THTC meters will be removed. Apparently. 
Till then OVO have me trapped! I’m paying 30p per unit (700 units pcm) and 24p per unit (80 units pcm) plus 56p per day (dropping to 26 &20 on April first…at which point I assume the standing charge will simply go up!  

I can get a tracker tariff averaging 13p elsewhere if it weren’t for the THTC meter!

 

Thanks all for your help & insider info, at least I’ll get another old meter installed at some point…hopefully before it’s time to uninstall it all when the signal goes off!

 

waltyboy
Rank 8
Rank 8
March 11, 2024

Been a right old uphill battle for you, to replace a broken bit of kit that wasn’t even your fault…oh well, take care and hope it gets resolved quickly for you. 

Walt. 2013: 3.2kW PV East/West + Fronius IG, as at 01 Sep 2026 30 MWh, of which 22 MWh exported. 2023: 2.4kWh LiFePo4 battery. 2024: Tadö wireless smart stat v3; Electriq split unit 2.6kW AAHP (“air conditioner”). 2026: Hyundai Inster 02 EV.
Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Retired Moderator
March 12, 2024

Hey @zedzedhoney,

 

I’m sorry, it’s a very frustrating situation.

 

Please keep us posted with how the replacement for the non THTC meter goes. At least this means you’ll be billed accurately.

 

As soon as there are any changes on the THTC meter issue, I’ll update advice on all related topics. 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
Rank 2
March 12, 2024

Hey @zedzedhoney,

 

I’m sorry, it’s a very frustrating situation.

 

Please keep us posted with how the replacement for the non THTC meter goes. At least this means you’ll be billed accurately.

 

As soon as there are any changes on the THTC meter issue, I’ll update advice on all related topics. 

Thanks! I really hope so, it’s tricky as our ferry situation is catastrophic so I’m told by locals that it’s not straightforward like a mainland engineer would be and that Ovo may need to call a company called SMS via People’s Energy as they fit meters on island for any company…is there a way you could pass this on to the correct person please? 
 

My biggest frustration is that there’s no dates for any of this and I’m not going to be free to hunt for the best deal for my family’s needs (we have two kids with disabilities and need to run washer/dryers daily to keep them clean/safe).

waltyboy
Rank 8
Rank 8
March 12, 2024

And one thing I’ve noticed from your excellent photos @zedzedhoney is that your meter in your first photo showed Rate 1 000 18 (with a gap between digit 3 and 4) and then in a subsequent photo showed Rate 1 00036 (no gap)…maybe, with a bit of luck, the meter is  still allowing you to track your consumption till things get sorted?  Assuming rate 1 is your normal tariff, not sure why the gap, though!  
 

All the very best, please do let us know how things progress, you’ve got us rather on tenterhooks now and I’m rooting for you with all my fingers crossed!

Walt. 2013: 3.2kW PV East/West + Fronius IG, as at 01 Sep 2026 30 MWh, of which 22 MWh exported. 2023: 2.4kWh LiFePo4 battery. 2024: Tadö wireless smart stat v3; Electriq split unit 2.6kW AAHP (“air conditioner”). 2026: Hyundai Inster 02 EV.
Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Retired Moderator
March 13, 2024

And one thing I’ve noticed from your excellent photos @zedzedhoney is that your meter in your first photo showed Rate 1 000 18 (with a gap between digit 3 and 4) and then in a subsequent photo showed Rate 1 00036 (no gap)…maybe, with a bit of luck, the meter is  still allowing you to track your consumption till things get sorted?  Assuming rate 1 is your normal tariff, not sure why the gap, though!  
 

All the very best, please do let us know how things progress, you’ve got us rather on tenterhooks now and I’m rooting for you with all my fingers crossed!

 

Do the readings on the meter in your first photo line up with the previous reads on the account @zedzedhoney?

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
Rank 2
March 13, 2024

And one thing I’ve noticed from your excellent photos @zedzedhoney is that your meter in your first photo showed Rate 1 000 18 (with a gap between digit 3 and 4) and then in a subsequent photo showed Rate 1 00036 (no gap)…maybe, with a bit of luck, the meter is  still allowing you to track your consumption till things get sorted?  Assuming rate 1 is your normal tariff, not sure why the gap, though!  
 

All the very best, please do let us know how things progress, you’ve got us rather on tenterhooks now and I’m rooting for you with all my fingers crossed!

 

Do the readings on the meter in your first photo line up with the previous reads on the account @zedzedhoney?

Hi @Emmanuelle_OVO I’m not sure as the last few have been estimates, they definitely didn’t say 00018 though, but I do know that in November and December we manually read it and was in the late 9 thousands so it maybe tripped over to 99999 and that sent it back to zero and also loopy? 
 

Im so confused by this whole THTC situation as other people keep saying I can just get it disconnected and have a smart meter (albeit not fully smart in our area) installed by another supplier, but that seems to be exactly the opposite of what OVO and this forum know to be true!

Rank 2
March 13, 2024

And one thing I’ve noticed from your excellent photos @zedzedhoney is that your meter in your first photo showed Rate 1 000 18 (with a gap between digit 3 and 4) and then in a subsequent photo showed Rate 1 00036 (no gap)…maybe, with a bit of luck, the meter is  still allowing you to track your consumption till things get sorted?  Assuming rate 1 is your normal tariff, not sure why the gap, though!  
 

All the very best, please do let us know how things progress, you’ve got us rather on tenterhooks now and I’m rooting for you with all my fingers crossed!

 

Do the readings on the meter in your first photo line up with the previous reads on the account @zedzedhoney?

Hi @Emmanuelle_OVO I’m not sure as the last few have been estimates, they definitely didn’t say 00018 though, but I do know that in November and December we manually read it and was in the late 9 thousands so it maybe tripped over to 99999 and that sent it back to zero and also loopy? 
 

Im so confused by this whole THTC situation as other people keep saying I can just get it disconnected and have a smart meter (albeit not fully smart in our area) installed by another supplier, but that seems to be exactly the opposite of what OVO and this forum know to be true!

Just checked, 98278 was their last estimate in Feb, so bears no relation to the 00018 on the display.

Firedog
Super User
Super User
March 13, 2024

If you have actual readings from November and December (and January too?), it shouldn’t be too difficult to extrapolate to find out whether it’s likely the meter has tripped over 99999 and started again from 0. What are the latest readings you have?

 

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |