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Gillarms
Rank 4
Rank 4
August 7, 2023
Solved

Do OVO have tariffs with no standing charge for low gas usage?

  • August 7, 2023
  • 13 replies
  • 3275 views

I'm thinking of installing an Air Source Heating Pump which obviously will increase my electricity usage but massively decrease my gas usage. At the moment, I have a Farmhouse cooker (came with the house when I moved in) and I very rarely use the ovens or grill as I have an Air Fryer. I do, however use the gas hob, not much though as I live alone and tend to make curries, stews etc. in a huge pot and then freeze it so I'm probably lucky if I turn a gas ring on once a week.  Anyway, if I get a Heat Pump, I'm going to be forking out roughly £100 a year for a gas standing charge while probably only using about £50, or less, in gas. I could get rid of my cooker and buy a completely electric cooker but, A; that's an additional expense I don't need and B; unless I bought another Farmhouse cooker (much more expensive than the size of cooker I actually need), I'm going to have a huge space in my kitchen next to a smaller cooker. So, finally, my question is, do OVO have a tariff that charges more per gas unit but does away with the Standing Charge altogether? 

Best answer by Jeffus

Updated on 28/07/26 by Abby_OVO

 

Utilita is the most well know supplier with zero standing charges but as a result higher unit rates.

You could for example look into having your electricity from ovo and gas from utilita. 

You would need to phone up utilita for a quote as they won't quote for gas only on their website. The website tells people to phone up for gas only quotes. 

https://utilita.co.uk/

Obviously that adds complexity and it may not save you money due to the higher unit rates. 

 

OVO do not currently offer any tariffs that are free of standing charges, but we will always do our best to keep standing charges as low as we can based upon market prices. If you don’t use your gas or are thinking about having the gas supply removed, check out the topic below:

 

13 replies

Rank 2
January 15, 2024

I am going round in circles re 2 Ovo concerns.

  1. My cottage on Skye is vacant but for a few weeks every couple of years so I have been paying a ‘standing charge’ of £29 each month. That’s tough enough, but now Ovo has informed me that charges are going to be increased to £92 per month. A problem with communicating with Ovo is that I live in Canada. A kind Skye neighbour has tried telephoning Ovo on my behalf, but just gets recordings, and for some reason, when  I try to set up an on-line account with Ovo, they keep saying my information is awry. What can I do? Cancel my account and get a generator?
  2. My neighbour said that my meter reading is 18.609 and my estimate is 19,117 so I appear to be being overcharged by 508 units.

The cottage has been family-owned since the early 1950s and we have never been late paying a hydro account. I am prepared to give Ovo a deposit (rather than pay huge monthly payments) to prove that I will not run off without settling my account!

 

*edited by moderator*

 

Many thanks,

James

…………………………..

 

 

Jeffus
Rank 20
Rank 20
January 15, 2024

Hi @hydroskye 

I don't work for ovo, I am just a customer like you.

If you are struggling to submit a reading you can do it via the chat function. That may help

You don't need to phone up or access your account.

https://www.ovoenergy.com/help#contact_us_container

You could enquire about getting a smart meter if you haven't already. Obviously I don't know if that property is suitable. Then you won't get an issue with estimated readings.

I recommend submitting readings at least once a month.

It is best not to include personal information on the forum else you risk being spammed by other people. I have flagged the moderators to delete the personal information to protect you.

 

Rank 2
January 15, 2024

Jan. 15th 2024.

 

Hello Jeffus,

 

Very many thanks for the helpful and very speedy response! I am very grateful. I will try doing as you say;

the cottage’s location is remote, so ‘m not sure if smart meters are in use there.

Thank you again.

James.