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What is the best day to give readings to avoid estimates being used on bills?

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
February 16, 2018
28 replies
6919 views

OVO sends me a text on the 7th February telling me it's time to submit our meter readings, and that this is best done on the 13th for accuracy and to avoid estimated readings.
So I hang around until the 13th then, on precisely that date I submit our readings.

Just checked our account today and am dumbfounded to see OVO has added one extra day's estimated reading to those I submitted on the 13th, now telling me that the best day to......etc, is the 14th.

What's THAT all about?? It's a blimmin' joke isn't it. Tells me to do one thing, does something else. All I want is an accurate bill NOT an estimated one. Seems OVO are not technically equipped to carry out this simplest of tasks. Maybe just one of the reasons why they are no longer 'top of the class' in Customer's experiences (see "Which" Review). Or maybe simply building the case for earliest 100% installation of the dreaded SMART METER. I'm hanging out until the last second before I press go on that. I've heard some crazy things about them.

ANY COMMENT FROM OVO PLEASE?

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 18/08/25 by Abby_OVO

Meter readings, usage and estimates

Sorry to hear about the confusion caused by the differing dates you were advised to give your meter readings. If you haven’t had smart meters installed, we’ll send you a meter reading reminder a few days before your monthly summary is created. The easiest way to submit these readings is on the ‘Meter readings’ page of your online account or through the OVO app (download for Android or iOS); click on the person icon at the top right, then into ‘Meter readings’.

When’s the best date to submit a reading for my monthly summary?

The best date to submit your reading is on or just before the date shown on your bill - the email or text reminder you receive may suggest you enter this the day before to make sure it’s received on time. If you do enter the reading slightly early we’ll only estimate your usage between the date you entered the reading and the date the statement was generated, so it should be fairly accurate - and if we do, it’ll always be updated when you submit the next reading.

When I enter my reading how long does it take to update my balance?

Every time you enter a meter reading on your online account, your account balance is recalculated to include your usage costs up-to-date. The balance will usually update instantly although it can take up to 24 hours. It’s worth checking the balance before submitting your readings, so you can easily check that the balance has updated. If the balance show on your monthly summary is estimated, you can always check the accurate balance by submitting another meter reading.

How are my estimated readings calculated?

If we ever use an estimated reading on your monthly summary, this is calculated based on the last actual reading you gave and your Estimated Annual Consumption (EAC) to give us an idea of what the reading is likely to be. You can always correct any over or under estimated readings by submitting an accurate reading.

What’s the best way to avoid estimated statements?

As a smart meter can be programmed to send us a reading half-hourly or daily, we can always be sure we’ve got a reading on the date your monthly summary is issued. This will mean no more worrying about reading the meter manually and more accurate billing and usage information on your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS.

One of our other users asked a similar question and our community members also left some helpful advice there too:

OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

stateofit

Rank 1

Updated 17/06/2020

If you're no longer seeing a statement, it's because you've been upgraded to our new online account platform. More info here

It sounds to me like your statement cycle is set to the 15th, so if you really don't want to see the word Estimated on your bills, just add the reads on the 14th of the month, and your statement will be up to and including that read...

If you submit reads on the 13th, OVO will estimate forward 1 day. If you add the reads on the 10th then OVO will estimate forward 4 days...

I'm not sure where that advice of giving reads on the 13th came from, but clearly the 14th is your best "readings day".

Of course, it almost doesn't matter. The next time you Do submit reads it all catches up with itself. But if you want to see Exactly what you've used, with no estimation, submit reads the day before your bill comes out

Or Yes, get smart meters. Had mine fitted a year ago, and they're Ace. No need to do readings, bills always exact, My OVO usage graph shows Where my money's going. Nothing Dreaded about it...

You can't have everything. Where would you put it...?

T

Tomwaitsfan1Author

Rank 1

Thank you for your kind and informative response "stateofit". I'll be taking your advice next month. Appreciated. BTW: regarding the 13th being my best time to provide readings, this came by OVO text. Cheers.

Bumblebee

Newcomer

https://smart.ovoenergy.com/credit

Hi Tomwaitsfan1

Thought the above link might come in handy should you wish to have an easier life and book a smart meter :)

Agree totally with stateofit, they are ace, I've had fun with the neighbours one, can't wait to get mine :)

Wishing both of you above a great weekend :)

Tris 🙂

100% renewable energy and 5 trees planted a year! £5 extra a month :-)

Lucy_OVO

Retired Moderator

Hey @Tomwaitsfan1,

Ideally we’ll need the readings the day the invoice is created so this sounds like it would fall on the 14th and your statement would be created on the 15th.

If we don't have any readings on the say the statement is created, we’ll need to use estimates. However, if readings have been provided a day or so before (or at any point in the bill period) then it's likely the estimates will be pretty accurate.

I’ve advise double checking what date is on your statements to show when they were created and then providing your readings the day before.

Lucy

You guys know what’s watt

T

Tomwaitsfan1Author

Rank 1

Thanks for taking the trouble to respond Lucy. Just to clarify my issue : Why did OVO send me a text telling me my best date for submitting readings was the 13th Feb, when really it should have been the 14th. I now see my statement date was 15th? It's the misleading text that's my issue.
Dennis

Tim_OVOSolved

OVO Forum Legend

Updated on 18/08/25 by Abby_OVO

Meter readings, usage and estimates

Sorry to hear about the confusion caused by the differing dates you were advised to give your meter readings. If you haven’t had smart meters installed, we’ll send you a meter reading reminder a few days before your monthly summary is created. The easiest way to submit these readings is on the ‘Meter readings’ page of your online account or through the OVO app (download for Android or iOS); click on the person icon at the top right, then into ‘Meter readings’.

When’s the best date to submit a reading for my monthly summary?

The best date to submit your reading is on or just before the date shown on your bill - the email or text reminder you receive may suggest you enter this the day before to make sure it’s received on time. If you do enter the reading slightly early we’ll only estimate your usage between the date you entered the reading and the date the statement was generated, so it should be fairly accurate - and if we do, it’ll always be updated when you submit the next reading.

When I enter my reading how long does it take to update my balance?

Every time you enter a meter reading on your online account, your account balance is recalculated to include your usage costs up-to-date. The balance will usually update instantly although it can take up to 24 hours. It’s worth checking the balance before submitting your readings, so you can easily check that the balance has updated. If the balance show on your monthly summary is estimated, you can always check the accurate balance by submitting another meter reading.

How are my estimated readings calculated?

If we ever use an estimated reading on your monthly summary, this is calculated based on the last actual reading you gave and your Estimated Annual Consumption (EAC) to give us an idea of what the reading is likely to be. You can always correct any over or under estimated readings by submitting an accurate reading.

What’s the best way to avoid estimated statements?

As a smart meter can be programmed to send us a reading half-hourly or daily, we can always be sure we’ve got a reading on the date your monthly summary is issued. This will mean no more worrying about reading the meter manually and more accurate billing and usage information on your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS.

One of our other users asked a similar question and our community members also left some helpful advice there too:

OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6

M

mharcpg

Newcomer

Ovo Always remind when to give meter reading. My question is, why OVO add additional 3kwh every time they send bill? They always remind to send your meter reading on the 9th of the month which I do. Then I tried also sending on the 12th because this is the reading closing date and they still add 3kwh on my gas bill. I’m not using smart meter.
Actual reading on the 12th= 55348

Estimated readin/ 12th = 55351

And when I send on the 9th they still add 3kwh same with electricity. They always do this…

Pleas help,thanks.

Blastoise186

Super User

Howdy @mharcpg ,

This isn’t actually as bad as it sounds. It gets automatically corrected the next time you submit a meter reading after that bill is generated. So you don’t need to worry. :)

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!

Emmanuelle_OVO

Retired Moderator

Hey @mharcpg,

Sorry for the issues you’re having.

@Blastoise186 is correct, as we have a live billing system whenever you submit a meter reading your account balance will update accordingly. We have a great guide about this topic here:

But I appreciate it must be frustrating if you are submitting a meter reading but the bill is estimated.

Can you send a screenshot of your monthly statement where it shows the reads you’ve been billed to. Also- a screenshot of your monthly statements page which will show your statement dates.

Let’s get to the bottom of this!

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.

J

JBenson

Newcomer

Is it something I’m doing wrong. I pay my account online on receipt of my bill. I am asked to send a meter reading on the 7th of the month which I do and then OVO estimate my bill until the 10th. It then takes a week to actually see how much I have to pay. All other companies you put in your meter reading and pay immediately it takes less than a minute, OVO endless checking.

Show more replies

What is the best day to give readings to avoid estimates being used on bills?

Meter readings, usage and estimates

When’s the best date to submit a reading for my monthly summary?

When I enter my reading how long does it take to update my balance?

How are my estimated readings calculated?

What’s the best way to avoid estimated statements?

28 replies

Meter readings, usage and estimates

When’s the best date to submit a reading for my monthly summary?

When I enter my reading how long does it take to update my balance?

How are my estimated readings calculated?

What’s the best way to avoid estimated statements?

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Meter readings, usage and estimates

When’s the best date to submit a reading for my monthly summary?

When I enter my reading how long does it take to update my balance?

How are my estimated readings calculated?

What’s the best way to avoid estimated statements?

Meter readings, usage and estimates

When’s the best date to submit a reading for my monthly summary?

When I enter my reading how long does it take to update my balance?

How are my estimated readings calculated?

What’s the best way to avoid estimated statements?

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