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Viv1966
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April 17, 2026
Solved

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 19, 2026

​@BPLightlog  this is what underneath the cables a grey plastic encasement saying  "Earthing terminal PME system does this help?

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
April 19, 2026

Hmm - not sure 

PME refers to the type of earthing but it does look a little restricted for the cables etc.

We might need some help here so will ask the mods to take a look and suggest

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

​@BPLightlog ok will wait for your reply. Thank you so much all of you for your help

    V
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    Viv1966Author
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    April 19, 2026

    Sorry that includes ​@juliamc  and ​@Firedog  as well

      juliamc
      Rank 20
      juliamc
      Rank 20
      April 19, 2026

      What is the problem with the meter cupboard door? I know you said you can’t open it, has it been screwed shut ?

      Great to hear you have solar panels now. How many panels and do you also have battery storage? Are you getting the SEG payment?

      V
      Rank 5
      Viv1966Author
      Rank 5
      April 19, 2026

      The door seems very stiff, i have a key but it doesn't seem to open very well almost like it keeps slipping. Yes we have 9 Solar Panels but no battery i thought i was joining this other company so have registered SEG with them but they have told me it can be unregistered if i stay with Ovo.  My next question is will my SEG payment help me pay off my debt with Ovo?

      V
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      Viv1966Author
      Rank 5
      April 19, 2026

      No i think the key keeps slipping so very difficult to open.  We have 9 Solar Panels, and SEG registered with other company which  they said could be unregistered if i have to stay with Ovo. Will SEG payment help me pay off debt with Ovo? I meant to say no battery ​@juliamc 

      V
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      Viv1966Author
      Rank 5
      April 19, 2026

      Sorry for repitition didnt realise i was on another page!

      juliamc
      Rank 20
      juliamc
      Rank 20
      April 19, 2026

      As far as I'm aware you can have the SEG registered with any company, it doesn’t have to be the one you buy your electricity from. I don’t know what OVO’s rates are but, unless you are on a special EV tariff like one of the Octopus ones, generally the export rate is less than the import rate. 

      eg. If you’re exporting at 5p a unit, say, and paying at 25p a unit it’ll be more advantageous to use as much solar as possible while it's available. Run the washing machine and have the longer showers on sunny days !!

        Ben_OVO
        Community Manager
        Ben_OVO
        Community Manager
        April 20, 2026

        Morning ​@Viv1966, I hope you’re well.

         

        Are you 100% certain that the new heaters are storage heaters? If so, we aren’t generally able to change a single rate smart meter to work as dual rate, however this is a strange situation in that the heaters have been changed in a way that doesn’t suit the current meter set up. I’d like to look into this further for you.

         

        I’m going to send you a private message now. I can’t access your account personally, however I have some contacts within Squad 70 that I’ll be able to speak to to get a clearer idea of the next steps. I hope we can get this sorted for you. Check your inbox and get back to me when you can.

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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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