Skip to main content
lyeuhm
Rank 1
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

Show previous replies
I
Rank 6
Infiltrator
Rank 6
March 7, 2024

Thanks for the reply - but I'm trying to find a way to get off THTC, OVO are telling me I need to wait for the THTC solution before I can change the existing meter to a single mpan, this is a ridiculous position to be in.

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    March 8, 2024

    For that purpose, you might not be able to ever leave THTC. It depends on an absolutely critical factor that even OVO can’t control. If you are in a Load Managed Area - which is determined by your DNO, then I’m afraid you must remain on THTC no matter what - even with Smart Meters.

    In those cases, there’s only one way to break out of THTC - which is to get rid of ALL Storage Heaters and Immersion Heaters, then switch to some other option for heating and hot water. If you do that, you’d be allowed to quit THTC and use another tariff. Whatever work that’d need doing would be at your own cost - OVO can’t help you pay for that outside of replacing the meter itself.

    Otherwise, I’m afraid your options are limited to Traditional THTC and Smart Meter THTC.

    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!
    J
    Newcomer
    JohnMcD
    Newcomer
    March 8, 2024

    Thanks for your reply. I was relieved to read your very recent posting on OVO's quest for a smartmeter-based solution for THTC. THTC is indeed the system we have, controlled by the RTS switch. So your post implies that I just have to wait - patiently. However, I am concerned that our THTC system is a bit complex: it controls storage heaters, panel heaters, hot water and even our living room fire. I attach photographs of our meters: the one below is  the RTS meter. Any tips you can give me, e.g. on the information I should give to OVO before they try to install a smart meter, would be most welcome. 

     

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    March 8, 2024

    That’s perfect, thanks.

    At this time, please DO NOT attempt a Smart Meter upgrade. Your setup isn’t currently supported with Smart Meters regardless of supplier.

    OVO is working on adding support but it requires extensive R&D which has produced some very fruitful results. They’ll be in touch with you once that’s all ready to rollout - and it will be prior to the RTS Shutdown.

    The new solution will be a drop-in replacement for what you have now, so everything will operate the same way as before.

    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!
      P
      Newcomer
      PedroB
      Newcomer
      March 8, 2024

      That’s perfect, thanks.

      At this time, please DO NOT attempt a Smart Meter upgrade. Your setup isn’t currently supported with Smart Meters regardless of supplier.

      OVO is working on adding support but it requires extensive R&D which has produced some very fruitful results. They’ll be in touch with you once that’s all ready to rollout - and it will be prior to the RTS Shutdown.

      The new solution will be a drop-in replacement for what you have now, so everything will operate the same way as before.

      @Blastoise186  I am in the same position with THTC ....but I actually want to stop using THTC and go to a 1 smart meter!

      It was supposed to be happening before migration but the appointment was cancelled.. also had another appointment with OVO but the engineer wouldn't remove RTS meter, something about meter numbers on the system!

      Any help? 🙏

       

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      March 8, 2024

      Have you already removed all Storage Heaters and Immersion Heaters?

      If so, OVO may be able to help with this, but you’ll need to contact Support to make the arrangements. Live Chat via https://ovoenergy.com/help is best for this.

      If you haven’t removed all those heaters yet, I strongly advise that you don’t go any further until you do.

      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!
      J
      Newcomer
      JohnMcD
      Newcomer
      March 8, 2024

      Thank you very much for your advice. It probably saved me from getting in a huge mess 

       

      P
      Newcomer
      PedroB
      Newcomer
      March 8, 2024

      @Blastoise186 

      Thanks for replying.

      Storage heaters bin'd 10 years ago... immersion still connected but not used much + shower....but got plans to change that to direct water set up, powered by wood burner and solar thermal!

      Would it be possible to use extra meter number for an export meter?

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      March 8, 2024

      Import MPANs can’t be converted to Export MPANs. You’ll get an Export MPAN created as part of the process of setting up Smart Export Guarantee for the purposes of exports.

      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!
      P
      Newcomer
      PedroB
      Newcomer
      March 8, 2024

      @Blastoise186 

      If all us THTC user's get this new smart meter setup that you say is in the works....will we continue being energy provider prisoners, unable to shop for different deals on the market?

      Show more replies
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

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

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd