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Standing Charges & VAT not included in 'Usage' pages on App / online account?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
January 14, 2025
12 replies
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It would appear that the cost of energy used for the year on the usage page is just the cost of the units used not including the standing charges etc. This seems confusing if not disingenuous as standing charges make up nearly 30% of the overall billed amount.

Best answer by Ben_OVO

Updated on 26/08/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

Hi @ForumUserXE

Thanks for your comments, I hope I can shed some light on our Usage graphs for you.

Our live daily billing platform and app/web Usage graphs are designed to work with smart meters. If you don’t have smart meters currently, you can book an appointment via your online account or app.

If you have smart meters, they need to provide half-hourly meter readings for the Usage pages to show the most accurate data. You can contact our Support Team to check your meters are set up in this way. If not, they can reconfigure them remotely.

Your Usage graphs are there as a helpful tool to show Usage patterns and costs across the day, week, month and year. 5% VAT and Standing Charges aren't included in the comparison, as the graphs relate to your usage alone.

As @Blastoise186 mentioned, you can see your total costs by checking your bills. To do this, log into your online account or app. If you’re logging in on a web browser, click ‘Billing History’. On the app click ‘Bills’. You can then see a list of all statements. Click on the arrows on the right hand side of the screen to view the statement as a pdf. I’ve included a screenshot of my own online account below to help you navigate:

Blastoise186

Super User

Hi,

That’s actually intentional and my understanding is that’s it’s consistently that way across all suppliers. The usage pages are only a guide to help you know how much you’re using - please do not rely on them for billing purposes and they do also include a note about that as a reminder. If you’re after a running total that factors in absolutely everything, you want the Bills/Billing Details page instead!

OVO does Live Billing, so the Bills section will be updated daily with your actual costs - Standing Charges and VAT included.

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

OVO does Live Billing, so the Bills section will be updated daily with your actual costs - Standing Charges and VAT included.

That’s well and good, but in fairness to the OP, I’d point out that the figures (cost or kWh) shown on usage pages don’t necessarily appear anywhere on the billing page. I have to get my slide rule out to add them up to compare them:

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. |

Ben_OVOSolved

Community Manager

Updated on 26/08/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

Hi @ForumUserXE

Thanks for your comments, I hope I can shed some light on our Usage graphs for you.

Our live daily billing platform and app/web Usage graphs are designed to work with smart meters. If you don’t have smart meters currently, you can book an appointment via your online account or app.

If you have smart meters, they need to provide half-hourly meter readings for the Usage pages to show the most accurate data. You can contact our Support Team to check your meters are set up in this way. If not, they can reconfigure them remotely.

Your Usage graphs are there as a helpful tool to show Usage patterns and costs across the day, week, month and year. 5% VAT and Standing Charges aren't included in the comparison, as the graphs relate to your usage alone.

As @Blastoise186 mentioned, you can see your total costs by checking your bills. To do this, log into your online account or app. If you’re logging in on a web browser, click ‘Billing History’. On the app click ‘Bills’. You can then see a list of all statements. Click on the arrows on the right hand side of the screen to view the statement as a pdf. I’ve included a screenshot of my own online account below to help you navigate:

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agardin2

Newcomer

Hi,

My plan says my standing charger should be 47.03p per day. By Bill has charged 49.32 and then added VAT @ 5% on top of that.

Any idea why?

Thanks all

Firedog

Super User

My plan says my standing charger should be 47.03p per day. By Bill has charged 49.32 and then added VAT @ 5% on top of that. Any idea why?

No! The standing charge shown on the Plan page should be exactly the one shown on your bill. My guess is that you’re looking at an out-of-date version of the plan.

On the second page of your bill, you should see this identity:

These figures are exclusive of VAT. The right-hand panel may show more than one tariff if there was a change during the billing period, in which case there will be more than one Standing charge line in the left-hand panel.

If this doesn’t help, could you share a picture of (part of) the bill showing the anomaly? Be sure to obscure any personal details if you’re concerned about privacy.

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. |

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agardin2

Newcomer

Oh thanks ...I'll have a poke around and see what's going on

Ben_OVO

Community Manager

Good morning @agardin2 and a warm welcome to the OVO Forum 😁. I hope you had a good weekend.

I can see @Firedog has stepped in with some great advice here. Have you managed to have a further look into this? I’m wondering whether you might be looking at things from June to July, and you’re on the Simpler Energy (variable) plan? Bare in mind that the rates on the Simpler Energy plan changed on 01/07/2025, so this might explain things. If you could let us know that would be great.

Cheers!

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agardin2

Newcomer

Hi @Ben_OVO and @Firedog . Thanks to both of you for the guidance.

My latest bill (turned up today) has a split between the old rates and my new rates. So, yep...The perceived discrepancy was due to the plan change on 1/7/25 as you pointed out.

So, I can stop fretting and leave you both to get on with your lives :). Thanks for the support...I have to say it’s the first time using this forum and I'm impressed.

AndyG

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AishaT

Newcomer

From January 2025 to December 2025 i paid £885 on my electric, on my ovo app it says that i only used £736.

january 2026 to may 2026 i paid £465, on my ovo app it says i only used £282.

my account is £10 in debit. Can anyone explain this? Ive paid more than ive used and its never enough apparently i always owe money but doesnt make sense how.