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MT_OVO24
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May 27, 2024
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How do I get an unused 1980's off-peak meter removed?

  • May 27, 2024
  • 38 replies
  • 1557 views

I am trying to get a smart meter installed (and 2 very old meters removed) at my late father’s house which we are purchasing.

I have been told that it is impossible at the moment by an OVO reply to my email requesting this.

Currently there is a very old (1970s) mechanical off peak meter installed (pictures attached), this hasn't been used since the 1980s.

The property was built with the old underfloor electric wire heating which was too expensive to run so was converted to gas central heating in the 1980s.

As you can see in the attached pictures there are no fuses installed in the off peak side of the supply. We will never want to use the off peak again.

We will be installing a new consumer unit and electric car charger after the purchase has been completed.

Is there any way forward with this?

 

Electric box

 

Best answer by Firedog

Updated on 14/07/26 by Ben_OVO

 

I am just paying one standing charge for the 2 meters and am on the simpler energy tariff.

 

OK, that’s one less thing to worry about!

  

According to the DNO it is a simple matter for the energy supply company to request removal of a MPAN number from the database but for some reason the person I spoke to in squad 70 at OVO said it is impossible to remove a MPAN number once it has been assigned!
  

That’s a bit unlikely. Of course the MPAN can’t be removed from the database while the supply is still connected. As I understand it, you have to persuade OVO to request a ‘logical disconnection’ from the DNO. Then the question arises of whether this disconnection can be carried out while the meter is in place, so chickens and eggs come to mind. UKPN’s page suggests that removal of the meter has to precede the logical disconnection and subsequent deletion of the MPAN. National Grid only mention disconnection prior to demolition, so you may have to knock the house down. 

 

If you’re on a standard variable tariff with all consumption going through the one meter, and that meter is out of certification (one of the reasons why we ask for a photo of it; there’s usually a certification date stamp on it), then you should be able to persuade OVO to install a new one and (incidentally) take both the old meters away when they’re done. The second MPAN becomes an anomaly to be sorted out between OVO and NGED. 

 

If they still refuse to do anything, complain bitterly.   

 

If you have a disused meter that you’d like to be removed, contact our Support Team to discuss, and see this article for further info:

 

 

38 replies

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M
Rank 2
MT_OVO24Author
Rank 2
June 3, 2024

DNO were extremely helpful, rang up late on Friday and was told someone from the local office would ring in 48 hours.

Had a call this morning at 10am and a visit was arranged for 3pm today.

He took pictures of the meters and the unused off peak supply meter will be disconnected from the MPAN number tomorrow.

He suggested leaving it for a few days before contacting OVO again to arrange for a smart meter which shouldn’t be a problem as there will only be one MPAN number assigned to the property.

He was very helpful and said they are having lots of this sort of visit at the moment because of the installation of more car chargers and heat pumps.

The old black meters have certified 02/89 on them!

 

    Chris_OVO
    Community Manager
    Chris_OVO
    Community Manager
    June 4, 2024

    Hey @MT_OVO24,

     

    That’s fantastic news, as well as speedy service from the DNO! I feel that we see that more people are looking into alternative heating and power options but can face challenges regarding their meter type! I think what you’ve shared so far will be helpful to people with similar metering struggles. I’ll be keeping a close eye on your progress 🙂

    Renewable energy jokes never get old.
    Firedog
    Super User
    FiredogSuper User
    Super User
    June 4, 2024

    I’ll be keeping a close eye on your progress 🙂

     

    … and making sure that support staff etc. don’t say things like “it is impossible to remove a MPAN number once it has been assigned.”

    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. |
      Chris_OVO
      Community Manager
      Chris_OVO
      Community Manager
      June 4, 2024

      Hey @Firedog,

       

      Feedback is important, and we can relay this back to the team to ensure they’re providing the best information and advice! 
       

      Renewable energy jokes never get old.
        M
        Rank 2
        MT_OVO24Author
        Rank 2
        June 10, 2024

        Update on the meter problem

         

        The DNO engineer phoned this morning and apologised that the disconnection had failed as only the supplier can do this the DNO can’t.

        So back to square one with trying to get OVO to remove the meter without saying that they need a new meter that is in development!

        We don’t need the new off meter that can handle peak and off peak as we will not be using off peak at all.

        We need a normal smart meter installed after the old meters (which are certified to 02/1989) are removed and the MPAN for the off peak meter is disconnected by a logical disconnection request.

         

        According to the DNO’s reply this is the procedure needed to disconnect the old off peak supply.

         

        Your disconnection has failed because we can’t disconnect an mpan while it is in a relationship with another mpan, only the supplier can break the relationship…..

        I would advise the customer that  we can’t disconnect the mpan in advance.

        The supplier needs to remove the meter and send flows advising, break the relationship between the mpans and then send a D0132 logical disconnection request.

        Hope this helps you get the meter removed and mpan disconnected.

         

         

        Firedog
        Super User
        FiredogSuper User
        Super User
        June 10, 2024

        [DNO] can’t disconnect an mpan while it is in a relationship with another mpan, only the supplier can break the relationship…..

         

        OK, so now we have another piece to this jigsaw puzzle. It’s not just that there are two MPANs, but that they are linked. So it’s back to OVO support and tell them your DNO has asked for the link between your two MPANS to be broken, followed by a disconnect request for the redundant one. Good luck with that - nobody said it would be simple 🤷🏼

        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. |
          Shads_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          Shads_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          June 11, 2024

          Hi @MT_OVO24,

           

          I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing problems trying to get this meter removed.

           

          I’m going to have our Forum_Support team reach out to you so they can help you further with this. Look out for a private message here soon: https://forum.ovoenergy.com/inbox/overview.

           

           

          M
          Rank 2
          MT_OVO24Author
          Rank 2
          June 11, 2024

          Thank you

          I
          Rank 6
          Infiltrator
          Rank 6
          June 11, 2024

          OVO seem to have grouped all customers who have 2 mpan setups into a group and filed them under 'Do nothing till the newly developed smart meter solution is rolled out'.

          I'm wondering if there's a separate budget under their contract arrangement to resolve the whole 2 mpan/THTC mess so they're reluctant to do anything for these customers till the rollout project kicks off?

           

          Blastoise186
          Super User
          Blastoise186Super User
          Super User
          June 11, 2024

          Howdy!

          Please watch this space, some hot news is on the way regarding the future of THTC. So hot in fact, that I’ve not even had a chance to write the post yet - I literally just got told it today.

          All I can say for now… Is that I think you may want to hear this...

          Please allow me some time to get things written up and checked over, as well as getting permission to make it public (I need OVO’s permission for this one!). We don’t yet have an exact date as to when I can spill the beans, but please keep watching the Forum - feel free to check in anytime and we’ll try to tell you whatever can be made public at that point.

          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!
          Show more replies
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