Skip to main content
D
Rank 4
dmacbrew
Rank 4
March 21, 2023
Solved

Overcharging for storage heaters - charged peak rates, at off peak times

  • March 21, 2023
  • 52 replies
  • 2661 views

I am on Economy 7 from 12 to 7.. At precisely 7.00 a.m. every day tariff changes to daily rate as verified by smart meter console (which readings tally exactly with my bill every month). However the storage heaters do not switch off until 7.06. This means that every day I am charged for 6 minutes at the daytime rate when there should be no charge at all. The smart meter was fitted new a year ago. When I realised what was happening I contacted Ovo thinking this was a timing issue which could be remotely adjusted. Ovo however decided to send an engineer to check the meter, After they had twice cancelled the appointment they then decided to try the remote method. This didn`t work however so they decided to fit a new meter. They then cancelled this latest appointment and made another. Then the contractor (SMS) rang to cancel this one and made another, an engineer finally turning up with new meter last week. He was adamant however that the meter was not at fault, saying that it had been set wrongly and after much work on his phone said that it was now done correctly and the heaters should go off at 7.00. Of course they didn`t so I am now waiting for another phone call from Ovo to doubtless make another appointment.

My question is - is this a common occurrence? Their reluctance to put this right makes me wonder if Ovo are deliberately setting the timers to run on after time? Perhaps others should check their heaters to see what time they actually go off.

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 20/07/26 by Ben_OVO

Hi @dmacbrew, I’ve got some updates advice on this:

 

@Blastoise186  we think that’s not quite right as you may have confused the switching of the ‘ALCS’ with the ‘Randomised Offset’ value on the meter.

 

To clarify, every meter must have a randomised offset applied to the registers when they switch. So every meter on 2 or more rates will have an offset of anything up to 10 minutes applied. There is a good reason for this and it's mandated in the obligations upon suppliers that this is there. It cannot be 'fixed' or removed. No amount of setting changes or jobs to replace will get rid of the meter behaving in this way, the only thing that will happen, if you change the meter is another offset value will be set. 


To explain, the meter has to generate a random number. That number is then multiplied by an amount of seconds and the outcome of that is applied to the register AND the billing rates too. If the meter has a 6 minute offset this applies to both the switching time (we can read how much is applied too as their Supplier) and the charging. So the 6 minutes is applied across the board..  there is no 6 minutes charged at a higher rate because of this. So it will be switching 07:06 to 00:06 and the costs of the energy will apply to the energy used in those times.

 

We have made a rather poor effort in informing our customers of how the meters and overall solution actually works but we’re working on it!

52 replies

Show previous replies
K
Newcomer
Kathleen1409
Newcomer
March 28, 2023

Can you not just switch your heaters off at the main switch at 7am or just before that to avoid any possible charges at peak rate i.e. after 7am

Is it really this simple or am I missing something!?

K
Newcomer
Kathleen1409
Newcomer
March 28, 2023

 

I have a reply to my question/comment, but don’t know how to access it!

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 28, 2023

 

I have a reply to my question/comment, but don’t know how to access it!

Is it a private message? If so try here 

https://forum.ovoenergy.com/inbox/overview

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 29, 2023

Morning @dmacbrew . Just thought you’d like to know that Chameleon who make the IHD7 have said that the IHD can not be relied on to show when the tariff changes. It therefore suggests that your meter, supplying the off peak circuit will still be using the other register up to the point of the switch and therefore you should not be overcharged for those extra minutes. 
Not helpful how it’s shown on the IHD, I agree but they also say that it’s meant to be a guide and not relied on for accurate costs. 
Hope that helps

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    D
    Rank 4
    dmacbrewAuthor
    Rank 4
    March 29, 2023

    Morning @dmacbrew . Just thought you’d like to know that Chameleon who make the IHD7 have said that the IHD can not be relied on to show when the tariff changes. It therefore suggests that your meter, supplying the off peak circuit will still be using the other register up to the point of the switch and therefore you should not be overcharged for those extra minutes. 
    Not helpful how it’s shown on the IHD, I agree but they also say that it’s meant to be a guide and not relied on for accurate costs. 
    Hope that helps

    Thanks BP I` had come to that conclusion but it`s good to have it confirmed. I know most people probably never check when their heaters go off (I didnt until prices went up) but if they hand out these devices they shouldn`t be surprised if people actually make use of them and they should have ready answers to such important questions.

    I did manage to check the meter as you requested, and took a photo (not very good as balanced on a box holding camera with one hand!). It does have

    five terminals.

    Thanks again for your help.

      D
      Rank 4
      dmacbrewAuthor
      Rank 4
      March 29, 2023

      Can you not just switch your heaters off at the main switch at 7am or just before that to avoid any possible charges at peak rate i.e. after 7am

      Is it really this simple or am I missing something!?

      It is that simple but the point is - at 75 y.o. should I really have to get up and troop downstairs at this time all through the winter? I don`t think so.

      K
      Newcomer
      Kathleen1409
      Newcomer
      March 29, 2023

      Sincere apologies and understand your situation.

      Not everyone lives in a flat like me.

       

      B
      Newcomer
      Bobstock
      Newcomer
      December 7, 2023

      I believe I’m being charged at peak rate for my storage heating. My off peak charges for summer and winter are approximately the same. My peak rate charge has increased 7 fold from summer to winter ? 

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      December 7, 2023

      Hi @Bobstock , it’s possible. 
      Have you noticed the difference on your bills? You should see meter readings for both and the charge per kWh which should be the same as on your plan. 
      What meter do you have? We’ve seen some swap rates over due to an update on their meter. 

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        B
        Newcomer
        Bobstock
        Newcomer
        December 7, 2023

        Hi, I’ve not got the latest bill with me. I’m try to help a friend, who a neighbour of my mother. I think the Charges for each are correct, but I don’t understand why peak hour charges are higher, when off peak charges should be higher in the winter. My mother and friend are in same block of flats with the same supplier, yet mother’s bill is less than half of the friends . 

        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