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Rank 2
March 29, 2024
Solved

I have a smart meter with Economy 7 will RTS affect my set up?

  • March 29, 2024
  • 14 replies
  • 1035 views

Reading about radio signal shutdown ending some economy 7 meters but struggling to find out how to get a new one as have a snart meter already but struggling as accidentally deleted some emails with ovo. Seem to be a delay on getting a new one. As have solar panels with FIT looking at VAT free battery storage to help with winter heating when limited solar. Cheers for time and help. 

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 21/05/25 by Ben_OVO

I see. In that case, you do NOT require a meter exchange - the current one is fine.

And unless you’re going for Storage Heaters, you DO NOT want Economy 7 or Economy 10. You’d be better off having some other form of electric heating and run it from the batteries where possible and top-up from the grid if needed. Storage Heaters aren’t the most effective option - there are others which cost a bit more but give vastly superior results.

@BPLightlog is really good at this, I’ll ask him to stop by.

14 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
March 29, 2024

Good afternoon @Disabled darlo ,

To help us give the best possible advice, we’ll need some more info from you:

  • Please post photos of your current meters and everything around them
  • Please tell us your current tariff

🛌 Please note that it’s Good Friday today and our responses may be slower than usual.

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 29, 2024

I have a smart meter, the smets2 from 2020 i think, motability ev charger, solar panels and solar feed in tariff meter linked to smart meter to give accurate readings on generated and exported. My current fix rate ends June. I am looking at making heating electric and do that through solar panel in sunshine and economy 7 in autumn/winter. I am just unsure if ovo are going to re start economy 7 or 10. 

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
March 29, 2024

Updated on 21/05/25 by Ben_OVO

I see. In that case, you do NOT require a meter exchange - the current one is fine.

And unless you’re going for Storage Heaters, you DO NOT want Economy 7 or Economy 10. You’d be better off having some other form of electric heating and run it from the batteries where possible and top-up from the grid if needed. Storage Heaters aren’t the most effective option - there are others which cost a bit more but give vastly superior results.

@BPLightlog is really good at this, I’ll ask him to stop by.

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!
BPLightlog
Super User
Super User
March 29, 2024

Hi @Disabled darlo , if you’re looking to make best use of your solar, then batteries are a good addition. Especially as you mention, with the reduced vat retrofit offer. 
During winter months, your solar panels will give lower generation of course and there is unlikely to be enough (even with batteries) to cover your typical usage. You will therefore need to understand your usage pattern and maximum kw draw to get the best set up. 
What some do is to charge batteries overnight (at a cheaper rate) but that might not be best for the rest of the year. So, take a complete look at your heating system and appliance usage if you want to look at options

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
Rank 2
March 29, 2024

I have looked and i have been recommend economy 7 but ovo don't seem to be doing new economy 7 at moment. Is anyone else.

I got smart multi plugs, halogen oven, slow cooker, air fryer, led bulbs, house c epc. Just is ovo, not doing economy 7 at moment an ovo thing or a general market thing. 

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
March 29, 2024

Don’t get so hooked on Economy 7. What heating system are you planning on anyway?

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 29, 2024

I see. In that case, you do NOT require a meter exchange - the current one is fine.

And unless you’re going for Storage Heaters, you DO NOT want Economy 7 or Economy 10. You’d be better off having some other form of electric heating and run it from the batteries where possible and top-up from the grid if needed. Storage Heaters aren’t the most effective option - there are others which cost a bit more but give vastly superior results.

@BPLightlog is really good at this, I’ll ask him to stop by.

Oh didn't see your reply there. Was looking at some infared panel radiators they seem very effcient. This is why for autumn and winter I had Economy 7 recommended to charge up infa red when solar not as good and reduce costs. Ovo don't seem to be doing economy 7 at mo.

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
March 29, 2024

Economy 7 is not suitable for Infrared Heaters. It’s designed for Storage Heaters that take all night to charge - not Infrared Heaters that charge up in under five minutes.

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 29, 2024

Don’t get so hooked on Economy 7. What heating system are you planning on anyway?

The suggestion I was given was solar battery working in spring and summer to help with household going electric, helping to significantly lower electric bills. Then use battery storage in autumn and winter powered by economy 7 to heat house with infared heaters as they seem quite efficient. As Economy 7 plus a little solar in autumn winter would lower bills rather then using all fully peak rates to heat electric radiators whivh be more than gas. Be cheaper not to bother going electric with heating if don't at same time get cheapest electricity would it not.

Is Economy 7 with infared radiators not best way to heat house with infared radiator in winter powered by off peak Economy 7. 

Is solar battery storage a good idea. 

If you going to do it, do you not need to go all the way.

Disabled household bills on average 20% higher then Non Disabled as in house all day.

Thanks for your replies and time. My disability is brain injury impacting on reasoning and judgement So I am aware I might be wrong on this. Any help most appreciated.

BPLightlog
Super User
Super User
March 29, 2024

If you have solar PV and FIT, then battery storage is a good extra step as most do not utilise all their solar generation, especially during summer months. 
You could use an off peak tariff to charge the batteries during winter months to help reduce peak costs but you need to be aware that you would probably still use some peak energy at times. 
I’m not sure who are offering Economy 7 currently - OVO have a problem with billing if you want to change from standard to E7 tariffs, but others do offer it once you’re convinced it will save money. 

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}