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lyeuhm
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lyeuhm
Rank 1
February 27, 2023
Solved

THTC / Separate Radio Teleswitch and Meter- Can I get a smart meter?

  • February 27, 2023
  • 291 replies
  • 8052 views

Hoping someone here can help because this has been an on-going battle since before OVO took over SSE and it’s gotten progressively worse recently. 

I live in a house that’s meters haven’t been checked, inspected, whatever since at least 1993.  I have two meters - one for my storage heaters and water tank, and one for standard electricity.  I’ve been trying to get this changed to either a smart meter if available OR just a standard single meter with a day or night rate. 

I have email chain(s) going on with SSE/OVO (One email chain is using @sseenergyservices.com and the other is @ovo.com hence posting here) that I seem to just be going around in circles.  I finally got through to the Electric Heating Team (EHT) about two weeks ago who changed me onto a single rate THTC tarrif, so both my standard and heating meters are at the same rate - but based on the readings that I’ve been providing, it’s still nearly 500 a month just for two storage heaters and a water tank.

Has anyone else had problems being switched to a single meter?  It’s driving me insane and I can’t change providers even if I wanted to because I’m currently bent over a barrel with an old meter system that they won’t change that no one else supports.

 

Edit: Just to add, it’s Radio Teleswitch Total Heat Total Control (THTC) to be specific.

Best answer by Emmanuelle_OVO

Updated on 16/05/25 by Emmanuelle_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.

Hey @Noz1954,

 

I don’t know the exact figures, I’ll see if I can find out. I’d imagine a few thousand as Blastoise advised.

 

We’ve had a couple of customers on the Forum who’ve advised they have THTC set ups, would be interesting to get a conversation going. 

 

 

We’ve got an FAQ on exotic types which might have some useful information:

 

 

291 replies

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BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 26, 2024

  

There are details of Load Managed Networks available from SPNetworks - part of their information service seminars from a few years ago 

 

That’s an interesting document, that I quickly skimmed through. What I didn’t find was a map showing the area covered by each network. How is the average consumer to know whether he’s being supplied from Dunoon or Dungeness?

I started looking around for more about this load-management business. When I got to this page, I threw in the towel. 

That’s all good stuff … but did you mean something like this?

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    March 26, 2024

    There are plans for generation strengthening in the LMA but it looks like there remains a need for some load management in the near term 

    (Extract from SSEN strategy document - see P125/6)

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      S
      Rank 3
      Srd02601
      Rank 3
      March 28, 2024

      I too have at THTC meter and a standard one. So yes, there must be thousands out there with this set up. I got mine through Scottish Hydro many years ago. 

      I am however in the process of solving an 'erroneous transfer' and it is taking months to solve. My OVO Resolution Specialist contacts me to keep me posted on what is happening. 

      There must be flats up and down the country with old meters that were 'the best contract' at the time, but I don't know if they even honour this cheap rate THTC electricity anymore. I took mine out twenty years ago. 

      For the likes of OVO, they have inherited these older systems ,  I am not sure they know what to do with them. I just hope for the best. 

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        March 28, 2024

        There are a lot of them, yes. I’m afraid I can’t give you the exact number myself (sorry!) but the national database ECOES likely has the exact number squirreled away somewhere in one of its many reports that it can spit out.

        Certainly, if you have THTC right now, while you can go ahead and switch to suppliers other than OVO… I would strongly recommend that you stay with OVO - it’s one of only two suppliers known to have THTC support with the other being Scottish Power.

        I know some people in OVO who have tons of experience with this stuff - but that’s not necessarily true of any other supplier.

        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!
          S
          Rank 3
          Srd02601
          Rank 3
          March 29, 2024

          Thanks for the reply. I think I am committed to getting this sorted, and the OVO team are working on it. I think all these issues with utilities, has been a huge problem 'waiting to happen'!!!

          Technology has moved on but my standard meter must be thirty five years old. I suppose we all need to be updated with new kit, and have meters that are compliant with their systems. Unfortunately that is a huge task, and could take years. 

          Its really an ongoing issue with household utilities in older stock housing that will need to be addressed. 

          What a job that is!! 

            Blastoise186
            Super User
            Blastoise186Super User
            Super User
            March 29, 2024

            No worries. Being me has its privileges.

            THTC capable Smart Meters are something OVO is hard at work on developing. I’m one of the only customers who has ever been granted access to the Smart Meter Lab at OVO’s Bristol HQ. I’m not allowed to publicly talk about most of the stuff in there but it does have a wall (or a few!) full of Smart Meters that are constantly being tested.

            I’ve also seen progress being made on THTC capable Smart Meters. Unfortunately, that too is somewhat confidential right now and I’m forbidden from letting that info go beyond the walls of the lab - but they are coming.

            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!
              Firedog
              Super User
              FiredogSuper User
              Super User
              March 29, 2024

              I’m one of the only customers who has ever been granted access to the Smart Meter Lab at OVO’s Bristol HQ.

               

              See if you can wangle an invite to Smart Metering Test Lab | SMS (sms-plc.com) for next time you’re in Bolton. Right up your street!

              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. |
                Blastoise186
                Super User
                Blastoise186Super User
                Super User
                March 29, 2024

                Hehehe, I might just do that. :P

                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!
                  M
                  Newcomer
                  metalsman
                  Newcomer
                  April 3, 2024

                  No worries. Being me has its privileges.

                  THTC capable Smart Meters are something OVO is hard at work on developing. I’m one of the only customers who has ever been granted access to the Smart Meter Lab at OVO’s Bristol HQ. I’m not allowed to publicly talk about most of the stuff in there but it does have a wall (or a few!) full of Smart Meters that are constantly being tested.

                  I’ve also seen progress being made on THTC capable Smart Meters. Unfortunately, that too is somewhat confidential right now and I’m forbidden from letting that info go beyond the walls of the lab - but they are coming.

                  Much as I love the information you place on this site, you have been stating the above for more than a year now.  Just WHEN will OVO let us know what is going to happen with all customers on THTC. 

                  I have been wanting to install solar PV and battery for nearly 3 years but am put off by the uncertainty of which distribution board to hook up to - the heating board or the normal 24 hour supply board.  I just need this issue of 2 meters to be solved and have just one smart meter and one distribution board (I understand changing to one distribution board will be at my cost).

                    Blastoise186
                    Super User
                    Blastoise186Super User
                    Super User
                    April 4, 2024

                    OVO is working as fast as possible on this. However, OVO alone is not the only stakeholder - there’s others too who must remain involved the entire way through.

                    Chances are you’ll be migrated to Smart Meters within the next 12 months. However, I cannot give a more accurate estimate at this time.

                    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!
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