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Bri4life
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July 24, 2023
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When is the best time to give my meter readings to avoid estimated bills?

  • July 24, 2023
  • 74 replies
  • 3896 views

Is it normal after submitting a meter reading on the 22/7/23 to be asked for another meter reading via the app and for it to be done ASAP?

New to Ovo after moving over from SSE

Best answer by Firedog

Updated on 23/07/26 by Ben_OVO

 

We’ve discovered (well @Firedog has) that if you send early on the day following it is used and not estimated

 

This ‘discovery’ was the result of one test on one day, so it’s hardly a recipe for guaranteed success. However, the thinking behind it was that a manual reading is recorded on the day it’s received, but when applied to bills, it’s treated as if it were entered at midnight. On the first day of the billing period, then, a reading submitted that day will be used both as the closing reading for the previous period and the opening reading for the current one.  If you try this for the next billing period, please come back and tell us whether it worked or not. 

[My experiment took place on a day when smart meter readings don’t make it - the first day of a quarter when tariffs change. There is just so much traffic on the smart meter network that day with every smart meter in the country having to be updated that there’s just not the bandwidth available for readings to get through to suppliers.] 

We’ll always bill you to a reading the day before the billing date. For example, if your billing date is the 25th of each month, we will bill from an opening read on the 25th of the month to a closing read on the 24th. In this case, the best time to give a read would be the 24th. if we don’t receive a reading that day, then an estimate will be generated based upon your previous actual readings.

 

We'd recommend having smart meters installed, as then you won’t need to submit reads, and won’t be billed to estimates.

 

 

74 replies

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L
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louise515
Rank 2
November 1, 2024

Just wondered why you use estimated readings on days that I submit actual readings?

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
November 1, 2024

We have found looking at various people feeding back that they should be asking for a reading on the day after your billing period finishes, not on the day itself.

That mimics a smart meter which sends its readings early after midnight on that date.

They will estimate from your reading to add further usage for that last day unfortunately if you’re providing a manual reading

A similar question 

 

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    L
    Rank 2
    louise515
    Rank 2
    November 1, 2024

    They could flag up the day I start to go through the procedure to submit a reading that it’s really due the next day. It probably doesn’t make any difference over time, but it would just be the right thing for OVO to do.

    Nukecad
    Super User
    NukecadSuper User
    Super User
    November 1, 2024

    Once you get into the habit of sending a reading the day after your billing period then you no longer see that ‘last day estimate’.

    Although as your bill is ‘pending’ for about a week after the period end  then a couple of days later would probably achieve the same result.

    I said, Hey - Watts going on.
      L
      Rank 2
      louise515
      Rank 2
      November 1, 2024

      I’m sure you’re right but I’m elderly and forgetful and really need a friendly prompt. I suppose OVO would like to push me to have a smart meter, but why should I have to have one of those?

      juliamc
      Rank 20
      juliamc
      Rank 20
      November 1, 2024

      I would say being elderly is a perfect reason for having a smart meter. I have one and I’m getting older… I haven’t had to get down on my knees with a torch to check the meter readings for years.

      L
      Rank 2
      louise515
      Rank 2
      November 1, 2024

      My electric meter is at eye level so no effort to read it.

        Firedog
        Super User
        FiredogSuper User
        Super User
        November 1, 2024

        I would say being elderly is a perfect reason for having a smart meter. 
         

        … not to mention forgetful! You don’t need prompting or reminding if the meter readings are being sent automatically every day. Since it’s at eye level, you’ll be able to have a peek every so often just to reassure yourself that it’s doing its job. No more estimated bills ...

         

        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. |
          L
          Rank 2
          louise515
          Rank 2
          November 2, 2024

          I would say being elderly is a perfect reason for having a smart meter. 
           

          … not to mention forgetful! You don’t need prompting or reminding if the meter readings are being sent automatically every day. Since it’s at eye level, you’ll be able to have a peek every so often just to reassure yourself that it’s doing its job. No more estimated bills ...

           

          I’m elderly, not decrepit!

            Blastoise186
            Super User
            Blastoise186Super User
            Super User
            November 2, 2024

            It’s worth mentioning that OVO’s billing platform is heavily designed with maximizing support for Smart Meters in mind, so has a sort of “Smart Meter First” approach to how it works. This in itself isn’t something to push you - it just makes sense given the direction the industry is going in.

            Please show us photos of your current meter(s). I’d like to check something about them.

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