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Viv1966
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April 17, 2026
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New heating system but struggling to get the right tariff

  • April 17, 2026
  • 131 replies
  • 1024 views

Hi Everyone,

Thank you to all those who helped last year regarding Air Source heat pump as my oil boiler went down and i was having trouble with my housing association about when it was going to be installed etc. That was in May last year.

 

Fast forward to this year we now have a heating system ....its Storage heating and I spoke to OVO regarding all this being changed in January this year apparently yes then at the last hour it was no. Ok so I tried to look for a different company that do Economy 7 tariff.

 

Found one but now OVO don't want to let me go due to a huge bill which I have due to it being wintertime and having to use electric heaters due to no heating system can anyone advise  me what to do obviously I didn't really want to leave but ....its a case of having to but then if OVO did Economy 7 or something similar I wouldn't have to.

Best answer by BPLightlog

​... will Viv1966 be able to get a duel tariff like Economy 7 with the meter setup they have ?
  

If you’ve been advised that we can’t switch you to Economy 7 (which is generally the case) 
 

We can’t tell whether this meter is capable of switching an offpeak circuit on and off. Even if it did have the internal switch necessary, there would have to be an external contactor to do the actual power control.

…

It seems that the magic use-excess-solar-generation-to-charge-heaters system only works if the heaters are wired to a constant circuit (i.e. not having the charging bit separate from the control bit so charging only happens during offpeak hours). Again, we can’t tell whether this is Viv’s arrangement. It involves installing some extra bits and bobs including a CT clamp, all included in the optional Solar Box.

 

 

As ​@Firedog suggests, a separate supply is not needed for these 

So that should mean that a traditional 4 terminal smart meter should work with these heaters.

The balance would then be how much energy is needed during the day for other appliances and how the units are connected 

 

131 replies

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Viv1966Author
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April 18, 2026

 

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Viv1966Author
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April 18, 2026

Yes it looks like it. Do you want me to see if i can get a better photo ​@BPLightlog?

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
April 18, 2026

Don’t worry if it’s a problem - we can see the meter (Kaifa MA120) - and if there’s 4, not 5 cables, that’s useful to know.

The larger box (last photo) looks a lot larger than the meter. Is there something below the cables and the meter?

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
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Viv1966Author
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April 18, 2026

​@BPLightlog  thats just the cupboard that houses the meter. I will take another photo tomorrow to see if i can get a better idea of whats underneath it. Would that be helpful?

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    April 18, 2026

    Yes - it’s looking at the area around the meter (as well as what cables are connected at the moment).

    That helps to see if/how a replacement could be fitted if needed 

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
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    Viv1966Author
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    April 19, 2026

    Yes but the problem i have is Ovo have said that they won't fit another meter unfortunately.

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    April 19, 2026

    You said earlier 

     … Ovo said it wouldn't be possible as i don't have enough "tails" on my meter. 

     

    that’s why it will be interesting to see the whole situation. Perhaps there’s something else stopping the swap

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    Firedog
    Super User
    FiredogSuper User
    Super User
    April 19, 2026

    You said earlier 

     … Ovo said it wouldn't be possible as i don't have enough "tails" on my meter. 

     

    that’s why it will be interesting to see the whole situation. Perhaps there’s something else stopping the swap
     

    Frustration afoot again because of Kaifa’s reluctance to share user manuals for their products, saying it’s the supplier’s responsibility to do so.

    All that I’ve managed to find out is that the ability to control an external contactor (e.g., I assume, for storage- and water heaters) is or was ‘optional’ on the MA120 meter. Whether that means it’s an optional extra for the supplier to order or that it’s the supplier’s choice whether to use it or not just isn’t clear. It would just be so much simpler all round if the meter could be exchanged for a 5-port one to be used with an Economy 7 tariff. I would say OVO have a moral obligation to do this so that the customer can have full benefit of the equipment installed to replace a faulty boiler. Any charge should be for the property owner’s account - they were the ones to install the equipment.

     

    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. |
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    Viv1966Author
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    April 19, 2026

    Well sadly in an ideal world that would be lovely! But we have had such a fight regarding the fact that the Air Source would be no good as it is....i don't think our housing association would entertain the idea and to be honest we are weary from that already.  This is probably why the person i spoke to at Ovo has reffered me to Squad 70.  We have also had Solar Panels put in and new windows, which is great, however i am not sure what they can do.  Do you think my meter does have enough tails is this what you are saying? 

    V
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    Viv1966Author
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    April 19, 2026

     

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    OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

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