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Switching from THTC to standard tariff?

R
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I live in a fairly remote Scottish locality and am currently on THTC powering storage heaters and hot water. Looking at my most recent bill, I have paid noticeably more than if I had simply been on a single meter with everything running on a standard tariff instead of THTC.

To me this begs the question - what is the point of THTC if I am actually paying more?

Also, I assume SSE are obliged to replace the meter with a standard one if I request them to do so (I realise this may take some months)?

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Best answer by Blastoise186 21 May 2023, 16:24

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Blastoise186
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Hi @Rivlins ,

This might be possible but it’s not guaranteed. I’d say it’s best to see what the Electric Heating Team say on 0345 071 7972. They can figure this out with you. :)

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R
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I realised after posting that I don’t necessarily need to get the meters replaced - just changing both of them over to standard tariff would immediately start saving me money.

I’d like to speak to the Electrical Heating Team, but their hours are only Monday to Friday 9 to 5, which is why I’m asking on this forum rather than waiting until next time I have a weekday off to call them.

 

Blastoise186
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It’s a little complicated I will admit. But I’m not really sure that doing a Standard Flat-Rate Tariff on a THTC setup is ideal unless you’re absolutely sure you’ll save money.

One of the main purposes is for load control and load balancing. Many THTC Meters are installed in Load Managed Areas because the DNO requires it to prevent storage heaters etc from draining the entire grid. If you’re in one, THTC has to stay. If you’re not, then you can choose to come off of it.

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J
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My account number is *edited by moderator* and I was expecting to have a smart meter fitted today at 2pm. No one turned up. What has happened.?

Blastoise186
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Hi @Jane Lovell ,

Please avoid posting your account number here as this forum is public. I’d suggest trying Live Chat via https://help.ovoenergy.com and the team can help with that.

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L
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Hi

I inherited a THTC system which controlled old storage heaters and hot water immersion. I never liked this arrangement and was sure it was costing me more than a modern setup would. I had a conversation with the SSE team some time ago regarding changing the storage heaters to IR panel heating and rewiring these to the standard supply, as well as replacing the main hot water immersion tank with under sink units, which effectively isolates the THTC supply. SSE seemed happy with this and I understood that when I told them had done this they would remove/disable the THTC system. I have now had my electric works completed (very happy with the IR heating by the way). On contacting OVO, I have been told that either I pay for them to remove/disable the THTC sysyem or I continue with it and have to continue to pay the associated standing charge. I’m feeling this is a bit unreasonable given that I’ve already laid out a considerable sum which in part helps fix their problem. Presumably when the system does get switched off, OVO will have to give me what I want anyway??

Blastoise186
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Nope. The Smart Meter solution for THTC is basically THTC with Smart Meters once they’re ready. The money you pay elsewhere to installers is never seen by OVO and ultimately OVO has to incur costs to swap the equipment over. It’s only fair in some cases that the customer chips in too.

If you want to come off of THTC, you may have to pay more than just the OVO fee - but also call in an electrician to do some re-wiring too.

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L
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Thanks for reply. Ive already paid for the rewiring, The THTC supply is no longer connected to my consumer unit, and all heaters etc are wired to normal supply. I dont want a smart meter “solution”. I doubt a smart meter will work where I live (no mobile signal), I dont want off peak electricity, and yet I’m stuck with a standing charge or a decommisioning charge.for a meter I dont use  and I dont own. I dont think that is “only fair”. Can I just just try to get a standard contract from another supplier?

Blastoise186
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Not easily. Most suppliers choke on THTC and only a few can handle it at all.

The only way off it is Smart Meters and using the Arqiva WAN to bypass phone signal issues.

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L
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But I dont want THTC, or any other off peak option. My house is now wired such that it does not use any THTC electricity. I should not have to pay THTC standing charges. What if I’m one of 0.5% that wont be covered by Arquiva WAN (very possible given my location and relative isolation). How do I get onto standard supply only?

Blastoise186
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2 meters + 2 MPANs = 2 Standing Charges. You'll have to pay them forever until you change the meter setup. Even if you change supplier, you’ll pay 2 Standing Charges because THTC Meters are a 2 meter setup unless you’re on PAYG.

The only migration path is to a Smart Meter. 

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Tim_OVO
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I empathise, @Leaver, but I do this as a novice with this type of meter set up. 

 

We have made a guide on multi meter multi rate set ups:

 

 

If you call OVO from the number registered on your account, you should get through to someone who is a specialist in these THTC meter set ups and they can explain all of your options:  0330 303 5063. 

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L
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Thanks Tim-OVO-I have, now after going round the the OVO houses, been assured I am on a single standard standing charge. I also know that I am not consuming any off peak THTC electricity, so I’m satisfied at the moment. Lets hope the promised “solution” will make sense for me when it comes.

S

Good luck with OVO Energy sorting this out. 

Supplier was SSE Hydro and I’ve been trying since March 2021 to get off THTC after having an Air Source Heat Pump fitted.  Had a Smart Meter installed when the guy had been sent out to replace the standard meter, exactly 1 year ago and my account is still showing THTC.  Been migrated to OVO Energy and had an email telling me that THTC was an “exotic” tariff.  You can’t move as nobody else wants THTC. I can’t move as they don’t recognise the SMART Meter.  With almost 3 year of estimated bill and an OFGEM determination, I still can’t a resolution.

I’m a wee bit frustrated.  I’m giving OVO Energy till the end of the year to sort it out (hint: they won’t) and  I’ll be going to The Guardian consumer champion to see if they can sort it out.

S

2 meters + 2 MPANs = 2 Standing Charges. You'll have to pay them forever until you change the meter setup. Even if you change supplier, you’ll pay 2 Standing Charges because THTC Meters are a 2 meter setup unless you’re on PAYG.

The only migration path is to a Smart Meter. 

Actually SSE Hydro / OVO Energy only charge for 1 MPAN on a THTC Tariff. It’s a “discount”.  When I was using THTC I tried to move to Octopus and was told that they would charge me for both meters.

Blastoise186
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I should warn you that Octopus can’t support THTC setups anyway - I’ve heard reports they choke on them. Use caution if you still move despite this heads up.

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S

I can believe that.  The Radio Telemetry is supposed to be discontinued in April 2024, but I suspect it’ll get delayed again. I don’t have a THTC Meter now anyway.  Just the THTC Tariff.

Blastoise186
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If it does get delayed again, I cannot foresee it being delayed beyond April 2025 and that’d probably end up being the absolute final extension.

BIG DISCLAIMER WARNING!

These are just my personal thoughts. Anyone reading this comment should not consider it to be the official word of anyone and please don’t use this as a crystal ball - I’m not that good!

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