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Updated on 14/06/24 by Shads_OVO

 

Update on RTS shutdown:

 

As part of the RTS Project development, we are really happy to share with you our progress:

 

As you may be aware, the RTS signal that instructs some of our meters when to move to the “Off Peak Period”  will be closing down soon and we need to arrange for all of our RTS customers to have a meter exchange so they don’t lose any of their meter functionality.

 

The RTS signal will end for our customers on 30 June 2025. The period between 1 July - 30 September 2025 will then be used to close-down the RTS signal and allow us to manage any unexpected customers impacted.

 

After a very successful pilot, from the 17th June 2024 we will begin writing to our Economy 10 RTS customers to invite them to call us to arrange for their meter exchange. 

 

We are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers and our aim is to begin writing to these customers in Aug 2024. 

 

We will continue to update you on our progress.

Multi-rate meters are also sometimes known as ‘complex’ or ‘exotic’ meters

 

These older types of meter are being phased out and support for them will be ending soon. If you have one of these meters, and think you’ll be affected, don’t worry- we’ll be in touch to arrange an upgrade to make sure your heating and hot water keeps working properly.

 

So, what is an ‘exotic meter type’ and why is support for some of these meters ending? Let’s find out more...

 

We’re saying goodbye to Radio Teleswitch Meters (RTS Meter) and Dynamically Teleswitched Meters (DTS Meter).

 

Support is ending for old electric meters that use Radio Teleswitches. The Radio Teleswitch System (or RTS) was created to help with electricity meters that had special tariffs (such as Economy 7) before smart meters came along. 

 

Even though it has a few features that are seen in today’s smart meters, such as automatically turning heating or hot water on or off, it isn’t quite as smart. It can’t send us your meter readings remotely to make sure your bills are correct.

 

RTS Meters (sometimes known as Dynamically Teleswitched Meters), are old meter types. A Radio Teleswitch device would also be installed, alongside the electricity meter, to pick up the RTS signals and control the time switching features on the meter.

 

The shutdown of the RTS service would mean that the teleswitching features, to allow electricity meters to be switched between tariff rates and to allow the switching of electrical loads such as heaters, would completely stop working. 

 

Older meter types aren’t being installed by suppliers anymore, and many of these meters are reaching their end (certifications). 

 

Here are some of the RTS/DTS tariffs:

 

  • Economy 7*
  • Economy 10*
  • Total Heat Total Control
  • Weathercall
  • HeatWise
  • WarmWise
  • Storage Heat Control
  • White Meter
  • Superdeal
  • Flexiheat
  • Comfort Plus
  • Comfort Plus Control
  • Twin Heat

 

*Economy 7 or 10 meters with controlled load. Controlled load is a special type of electricity rate, or tariff, for high-energy appliances. It's ideal for things that use a lot of energy, like underfloor heating or hot water systems.*

 

Want to find out more about this topic? Why not check out this helpful FAQ:

 

Don’t forget- If you have a meter that’s affected, we’ll be in touch to arrange a meter and tariff upgrade to keep your heating and hot water working.

 

Exotic Tariffs 

 

Storage heating control (SHC)

 

With Storage Heating Control you usually have two separate meters. One meter records energy used during the off-peak periods, and the other records all other electricity used.

 

Customers save the most if they have storage heating and hot water. These heat up during the off-peak times, on the cheaper rate, to last throughout the day. 

 

The standard meter records all the domestic usage (cooking, lights, electronic devices) in a home. There are no off-peak times for any domestic use, and these appliances can be used at any time. 

 

What about heating and hot water?

 

SHC was designed to work with storage heaters. To benefit from the off-peak price, the storage heating and hot water would need to be connected to the off-peak meter. If you have this type of meter and are unsure if yours is connected, an electrician can check this for you.

 

Out of off-peak times, any appliances connected to the off-peak meter won’t operate, so SHC isn’t suitable for direct acting heating, such as a towel rail or underfloor heating. 

 

As long as the storage heaters are connected to the off-peak meter, they’ll come on automatically during off-peak periods. 

 

SHC offers 8 hours per day for customers to charge their storage heaters and heat their hot water. At least 3 of these hours will be available from between 10pm and 10am. There’s also a minimum of 2 hours between 10am and 10pm.

 

The times do vary which means we can’t give a customer the exact times their off-peak will operate. But, as long as the heating and hot water is connected to the off-peak meter, they should automatically come on when the cheaper rate is available. 

 

SHC doesn’t offer a cheaper rate for domestic appliances, which means regardless of the time these appliances are being used, they’ll always be charged at the standard rate. 

 

Dimplex Quantum storage heaters work in the same way as standard night storage heaters, by charging up during off-peak times at a cheaper rate. Quantum heaters have thermostats and a digital programmer, which means that operating them is much more ‘hands-free’.

 

You can choose the times of the day when the heat can be released, and you can also choose the temperature. The heater automatically works out how much to charge overnight. A fan helps to draw air through the heater and warm up the room when the thermostat senses that the temperature has dropped.

Quantum heaters are better insulated than older models, meaning that less heat escapes when it isn’t needed. This is better for both your wallet and the planet. 

 

Input/Output Dial Storage Heaters work by storing heat made by cheap off-peak electricity and releasing it during the day.

An input setting allows customers to control the amount of heat that the heater stores during off-peak hours. The higher the setting the more heat is stored, but this also means running costs will be higher.

An output setting allows a customer to control the amount of heat that the storage heater releases. The higher the setting, the quicker the heat is released into the room. The recommendation is to keep the output setting low when heat isn’t needed (like in the night or when the home is empty).
 

Total Heating Total Control (THTC)

 

How many meters? 

THTC is usually a two meter set up. Although pay as you go THTC meters normally only have one meter.

 

What does it do? 

With THTC you normally have two meters with one rate on each. One meter records all of the domestic usage at the property (lights, sockets etc) and the other records the usage from the heating and hot water in the home. 

 

On the heating control meter there is the stored circuit which gives a customer between 5 & 12 hours daily based on the weather forecast to store heat, and around 5 hours 45 minutes to heat water daily. Because the off peak times are determined in part by the weather forecast we are unable to tell a consumer exactly when the peak/off peak hours are. 

 

There is also the 24 hour off peak circuit, this is for any additional heating and hot water in the home, panel heaters, focal point fires, electric towel rails, electric showers, and to boost hot water. 

 

What about heating and hot water?

THTC was designed to work with storage heaters, and they should charge automatically during the off peak hours, along with the hot water. As long as any additional heating appliances are connected to the 24 hour circuit, they will be charged at the lower rate regardless of what time they are being used. This is not something we are able to check for a customer, they would need a private electrician to tell them what is wired where. 

 

To find out more about THTC and SHC please check out our helpful guide on the website.

 

Superdeal

 

Superdeal is usually a one meter set up. It is only available in the Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) 20 area. 

 

Unsure what your MPAN number is or who your Distribution Network Operator is? Check out our handy Tutorial below:

 

 

What does it do? 

With Superdeal you get one meter which has three rates of electricity; Day rate, Night rate,  and Off-peak rate. The Day rate records energy used between 7am and midnight, the night records domestic (lights, electrical appliances, sockets) energy between midnight and 7am, the stored records for 5 hours overnight and has a 2 hour afternoon boost. 

 

Superdeal provides 7 hours of off peak electricity over 2 periods  for heating and hot water appliances. It provides a 7 hour off peak period overnight for all domestic appliances. 

 

What about heating and hot water?

Superdeal was designed to work with storage heating, a customer receives 5 hours of charge over night for their storage heaters and hot water, and an additional 2 hours afternoon boost. During these 7 hours, the heating and hot water should automatically come on.

 

This meter is handy for customers who need to top up their heat during the day so they have enough for the evening, if they have older heaters or if they are at home and use their stored heat frequently throughout the day. 

 

Flexiheat

 

  • Flexiheat is designed to work with electric storage heating
  • The tariff offers 7 hours of cheaper, off-peak electricity for stored heat 
  • Energy used outside of the off-peak times costs more at the standard rate, so if you have this set up we’d encourage you to use more during the cheaper times
  • Usually not suitable for homes with Gas or Oil heating 

 

How does it work?

 

With Flexiheat you get one meter which has three rates. One rate records all the electricity you use during the day, another records all of the electricity you use during the evening and weekend period, and the third measures all the electricity you use during the 7 hours of stored heat. 

 

Flexiheat works by storing up heat and hot water using the lowest possible rate of electricity.

 

All the electricity you use during the off-peak times is charged at the cheaper rate, not just your heating and hot water.


 

When are the cheaper off-peak times?

 

A consumer is supplied with 7 hours at the cheapest rate for stored heat. At least two of those hours will be during the day - which tops up heating and hot water.

 

They would also benefit from cheaper electricity for all domestic appliances used on weekdays between 7:30pm to 7.30am, and weekends from Friday 7.30pm to Monday 7.30am. In addition to this, Flexiheat customers benefit from cheaper electricity for all domestic appliances used between 24 December and 1st January.

 

There is more information about Flexiheat and Superdeal here.

 

Heatwise 

 

Heatwise is designed to work with electric storage heating. It can be a 1 or 2 meter setup which is only found in MPAN 11. The meter(s) generally have a combined 3 or 4 rates and provide 10 hours of off peak electricity for hard wired heating and water appliances. It’s usually not suitable for homes with Gas or Oil heating

 

How does it work?


 

All the electricity used during the off-peak times is charged at the cheaper rate, not just heating and hot water. 

 

When are the cheaper off-peak times?


 

Afternoons Monday to Friday – 3 hours between 1pm and 4.30pm

Afternoons Saturday and Sunday – 3 hours between 1pm and 5.30pm

 

Evenings Monday to Sunday – 2 hours between 5.30pm and 10pm

 

Night’s Monday to Friday – 5 hours between midnight and 7am

Night’s Saturday and Sunday – 5 hours between midnight and 8am


 

Economy 10

 

Economy 10 provides 10 hours of off-peak electricity for everything in the home and can be suitable for a number of electric heating systems, including wet electric central heating and storage heaters. Storage heaters will automatically store at the off-peak times on the lower rate.

 

Electric immersion water heaters will also usually heat automatically during the off-peak hours and you may want to install an external timer to regulate when and for how long the water heats.  The off-peak hours offered with an Economy 10 plan add up to 10 hours during each 24-hour period – which is why this plan is known as Economy 10. 

 

(MPAN) 10,11,12, 14,15,16,19,20, 21, 22, 23

(Traditional, Pay as you go & Smart)

12.00am - 5.00am 1.00pm - 4.00pm 8.00pm - 10.00pm (GMT)

1.00am - 6.00am 2.00pm - 5.00pm 9.00pm - 11.00pm (BST)

 

18 & 13

(Traditional)

4:30am - 7:30am 1:00pm - 4:00pm 8:30pm - 12:30am

 

(Paygo & Smart)

4:30am - 7:30am 1:00pm - 4:00pm 8:30pm - 12:30am (GMT)

5:30am - 8:30am 2:00pm - 5:00pm 9:30pm - 01:30am (BST)

 

17

(Traditional)

4:30am - 7:30am 1:30pm - 4:30pm 8:30pm - 12:30am

 

(Pay as you go and Smart)

4:30am - 7:30am 1:30pm - 4:30pm 8:30pm - 12:30am (GMT)

5:30am - 8:30am 2:30pm - 5:30pm 9:30pm - 01:30am (BST)

 

I was told on this call billing will take 2-6 weeks to sort it self out. Why this long ? Why was my traiff not fully showing.  Todate I have not received a written notice of E10 tariff costs , only verbally via CS and this has not been 100% correct.

I am hoping that billing will adjust in time, but fearful if it not correct on setup/now it will take longer to untangle. So far I spent 3-4hrs dealing with this either on chat, a call or on hold. 

 

Hey @Kirrimove

 

When a meter is exchanged the national database needs to be informed so they can update their records. The removal reading & install readings are confirmed by a third party data collector & need to be loaded & updated onto our billing systems as well as the new serial number(s). So the industry timeframe is six weeks.

 

Keep us posted with how you get on once the timeframe has elapsed. 

  

I was told by CS when I arranged smart meter install my new E10 timings would BST 1-4 pm 8-10pm 12-5 am.

I was told by CS my Tariff shown on smart screen would be ...

 

Sadly, Support don’t always get it 100% right. The timings should be pretty straightforward, but it’s easy to misread a line in a long table. Rates, on the other hand, are a jungle that it takes a native to navigate, because there are just so many variables:

  • Region
  • Name of tariff
  • Date tariff was released
  • Type of meter (single- or multi-rate)
  • Payment method (Direct Debit, On Demand or Prepayment)

OVO are required to publish their tariffs, so you can find them for your region on this page: Our prices | OVO Energy Note that these aren’t set in stone, with some of them changing weekly. These figures are all given ex VAT.

When your account is transferred to a different tariff, you should get a message (nowadays usually by email) giving the rates you’re signing up to - including VAT - and other T&Cs. This is the basis of your contract with OVO, and if there’s any difference between what the email contains and what you see on the Plans page, you’ll have to contact support to find out why.

It may take some time for all these details to be updated in your account, specifically on the Plan page and on bills. Your first bill should have the right rates, although even this can’t be guaranteed, because there are separate bits of the company that deal with all the various aspects of account management. Updates unfortunately don’t move between them at the same pace.

The timings are laid down for an individual multi-rate account by the Meter Timeswitch Code (MTC) which is part of the MPAN (the label in the graphic on that page isn’t quite right). 

  

I am hoping that billing will adjust in time, …

 

I’m sure it will. How long that might take is another question.

I previously had Superdeal on an RTS type meter.
Last year I had a smart meter fitted Aclara SGM1416B which was set up to ECO7 schedule
This year I asked if I could shift to an ECO10 patern as the storage heaters have releasedt all their heat by late evening.
I was told yes this had been effected.
The result was that the costing and timing period was adjusted but the Auxilliary Load Control Switch has not been successfully adjusted to the ECO10 schedule and continues to operate to ECO7 schedule.
So now I have the same cold heaters by evening and paying more for such.
Constant contact to support is getting no result in fact they went off at a tangent not reading my emails and have rendered my IHD inoperative.
Is there any easy way I can get this resolved?

Not sure the issue of the second MPAN from the RTS meter has been totally addressed either.

I may have shouted too soon.
Looking like the change might have been effected yesterday.
Can’t see timely data through OVO methods.
Third party apps are sowing the load to the ECO10 seemingly now but such graphs are supplied a day later.

It will be encouraging to many RTS migrants that you were able to be moved from Economy 7 to Economy 10. We have seen all sorts of claims that this can’t be done, or that it can only be done by a visiting engineer.

We have seen so often that the ALCS isn’t configured to match the ToU regime on the meter itself (or indeed configured at all). This can be done remotely, but there may be a delay - often a few days - between the request reaching the desk of a smart team member and the update being transmitted successfully to your meter. So yes, you may have shouted too soon.

If your IHD is now working again (it’s not clear what happened there), its orange or red traffic light may be your best indicator that the heaters are charging up. Otherwise, some storage heater owners have replaced the switch or socket supplying a heater in view with one fitted with a neon pilot that lights up when the circuit goes live.

My water heater is on the same circuit as the space heaters; its timer switch has a red lamp that lights up when the immersion heater is working.

It’s probably been almost a month since they said they had made the changes.

Last week I wrote saying the ALCS wasn’t operating to ECO10 and they seemed to go at a tangent saying they would do something to the IHD it lost connection and hasn’t recovered since.

OVO account portal and app both say they are not compatible with complex meter so I’m reliant on third party apps which have a delay.

Yes I had been fed they couldn’t change the ALCS through from when they first said they could but obviously something changed or finally clicked into place.

Hi @Colinyguard,

 

I can see our forum volunteer has already stopped by with some advice here.

 

Glad to hear that the ALCS issue has been sorted for you.

 

Have you tried resetting your IHD? Maybe turning it off and on again may help reset it. If you’re able to let us know which IHD you have we may be able to advise further.

 

 

Yes tried switching it off and moving it closer to the meter to no avail.

IHD3 Model CA3100002 Type 1

Don’t particularly need to use it as most times I know what I’m consuming.
Would have been handy for observing when the load was applied to the storage heaters during this schedule upgrade.

I remain confused by some of the OVO help guidance as it implies the supplier fetches the meter reads from the IHD and the operative also believed her doing something to the IHD would resolve the ALCS issue.
Whereas I thought the IHD was just a slave readout device from meter held data.

Whatever ALCS issue has been resolved whilst IHD defunct.

You are absolutely correct in that the IHD is simply a remote display. It has no part in any billing, circuit switching or otherwise.
If you are not concerned about its use then fine as it doesn’t affect anything else but I’ll just mention that those devices (IHD’s) can retain settings for quite a while after power down. It’s recommended to remove power for some 2-3 minutes before reconnecting to reset - you may have tried that but just in case. 

 Just putting my pedant hat on for a moment …
    

… the IHD is simply a remote display. It has no part in any billing, circuit switching or otherwise.
 

Some IHDs (including, I think, ones commonly provided by OVO) are also PPMIDs - Pre-Payment Meter Interface Devices. They can be used to top up the meter without having to wrestle with the meter itself - a function that might be classified under billing.

There are also allegedly IHDs capable of switching auxiliary loads (typically EV chargers) on and off, so-called HCALCS. I’ve never spotted one in the wild, though. 

This is not likely to be of much interest to @Colinyguard, though, so I’ve only added it for completeness.

However, Colin might try running this little utility which - if it works - will reveal any problem with the Home-Area Network (HAN). Any warnings about expired security certification can safely be ignored, but any others may be of interest. Visit this page: n3rgy data Smart Meter check, enter the 13-digit MPAN and tick the tiny confirmation box.  

The one thing that i see that puzzles is:

For the meter

Security Expiry Date: 2023-08-30 00:00:00 - Warning: Security Certification will expire in less than 3 months or has already expiredWhich is a date prior to installationThe communications hub on the other hand is dated through to 2029

Thanks. Perhaps you didn’t notice where I wrote Any warnings about expired security certification can safely be ignored …

I’m assuming that you see a section about the IHD that doesn’t show any warnings at all. If on the other hand the IHD section is missing, I think that means that it’s been un-paired (disconnected from the meter), which may have been what the support agent did. @Blastoise186 should know …

For reference, this is what I see:
  

In-Home-Display (Energy Supplier responsibility)Device Type: PPMIDManufacturer: CHAMELEON r10E0]Model: unknown M00220001]Installed: 2023-09-27Firmware Certified: 01/12/2022Firmware Age: 2 i00010102] (number of newer versions available)Security Expiry Date: None

 

Full output below.
Yes would probably guess they have unpaired it.
Third party apps that rely on the GUID can still view the data.

 

 

Communications Device (Smart DCC responsibility)Device Type: CHFManufacturer: WNC C1072]Model: unknown n57310102]GUID: 00-0B-6B-01-20-08-52-BBInstalled: 2023-11-28Firmware Certified: 09/11/2023Firmware Age: 0 005000007] (number of newer versions available)Security Expiry Date: 2029-11-30 00:00:00Electricity Meter (Energy Supplier responsibility)Device Type: ESMEManufacturer: ACLARA A118F]Model:  SGM1416B 100000401]GUID: 00-1D-24-02-01-25-01-DCInstalled: 2023-11-28Firmware Certified: 18/07/2023Firmware Age: 1 :0007080E] (number of newer versions available) - No Export MPAN configured - Import MPAN configured r2000011425495]Security Expiry Date: 2023-08-30 00:00:00 - Warning: Security Certification will expire in less than 3 months or has already expiredGas Proxy Function (Part of the Communications Device)Device Type: GPFManufacturer: WNC W1072]Model: unknown o57310102]GUID: 00-0B-6B-AA-20-08-52-BBFirmware Certified: 09/11/2023Firmware Age: 0 :05000007] (number of newer versions available) - Warning: Device Configuration has not been completed tINSTALLED_NOT_COMMISSIONED] - OK if no Gas Meter is installedHOMECache: 2024-11-08 19:21:32.198385 3no cache]

That’s what it looks like. Try Support again and hope to get someone who knows what they’re doing.

Please keep us posted with how you get on @Colinyguard, your advice might be helpful for other community members in a similar scenario. 

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