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Help - why can't I submit a meter reading?

K
Rank
I am a new ovo customer and I have to give a meter reading in the next 5 days. Simple yes? No! No matter how I try to submit the readings (app, mobile website, website website) I have a message pop up after I log on telling me my switch is on hold as there is a problem and I have been sent an enail explaining this. I have only recieved one email and it says “hooray your switched!” Kinda thing with a link to upload meter readings. I click on the link and end up at the same page saying there’s an issue and I’ve been emailed. Please save me!
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Best answer by Transparent 11 April 2018, 10:48

Updated on 18/11/20: You can now submit manual meter readings on your online account, if you don’t have a smart meter or if this meter doesn’t send us your readings remotely.  

If you’re not able to submit your opening meter readings, you’ll need to make sure to submit these within the 10 day window either side of your supply start date. 

See the video below (also in this guide) for how to submit a meter reading in your online account
 

 

 

Hi @Kai_asoka,

Sorry to hear of this problem as a new customer. However, a solution is actually quite simple.

Ultimately you should be able to submit these online via the app or MyOVO, however it sounds like there is an issue here that needs resolving.

Don't wait for OVO to initialise your Account web-page and sort out the hold-up: They’re on Facebook, Twitter and our Help centre has online chat!

OVO will acknowledge your email and send the readings to ECOES (The National Meter Database). They in turn will notify your old Supplier, who have a narrow window of opportunity to raise any objections. Such objections are constrained by Ofgem rules, so it is quite unusual for one to be upheld. If your meter readings are within a reasonable estimate and you are not in substantial payment arrears, then I expect this process to be automatic.

After another fortnight, the old Supplier will raise your Final Bill. This delay is due to the statutory 14-day cooling off period for new Financial Contracts within the UK.

You do not need to contact your original Supplier at all. It is the responsibility of the Receiving Company to handle the switch administration.

Whatever "issue" OVO claim to have contacted you about cannot have been related to a Formal Objection because this could only be raised after ECOES have received your meter readings. At this stage they clearly have not!

Please post back here if you need any more help.

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32 replies

Transparent
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +2

Updated on 18/11/20: You can now submit manual meter readings on your online account, if you don’t have a smart meter or if this meter doesn’t send us your readings remotely.  

If you’re not able to submit your opening meter readings, you’ll need to make sure to submit these within the 10 day window either side of your supply start date. 

See the video below (also in this guide) for how to submit a meter reading in your online account
 

 

 

Hi @Kai_asoka,

Sorry to hear of this problem as a new customer. However, a solution is actually quite simple.

Ultimately you should be able to submit these online via the app or MyOVO, however it sounds like there is an issue here that needs resolving.

Don't wait for OVO to initialise your Account web-page and sort out the hold-up: They’re on Facebook, Twitter and our Help centre has online chat!

OVO will acknowledge your email and send the readings to ECOES (The National Meter Database). They in turn will notify your old Supplier, who have a narrow window of opportunity to raise any objections. Such objections are constrained by Ofgem rules, so it is quite unusual for one to be upheld. If your meter readings are within a reasonable estimate and you are not in substantial payment arrears, then I expect this process to be automatic.

After another fortnight, the old Supplier will raise your Final Bill. This delay is due to the statutory 14-day cooling off period for new Financial Contracts within the UK.

You do not need to contact your original Supplier at all. It is the responsibility of the Receiving Company to handle the switch administration.

Whatever "issue" OVO claim to have contacted you about cannot have been related to a Formal Objection because this could only be raised after ECOES have received your meter readings. At this stage they clearly have not!

Please post back here if you need any more help.

Save energy... recycle electrons!
K
Rank
Thank you! Very very helpful
K
Rank
I've just switched over to Ovo electric, and have been asjed to provide meter readings, however, even though the switch went live today, I cant seem to submit a reading, all text is greyed out. Anyone else have this or am I missing something??
Darran_OVO
Userlevel 7
@KateMS I have moved your question here as someone else had already asked about this previously!!

Hope the above helps!

Darran
Did a reply solve your question? Then mark it as the correct answer!
J
Rank
Trying to update a reading via https://paym.ovoenergy.com/meter-readings

But the previous reading is not showing for electricity (is working fine for gas). When I try to put in my current electricity reading, it returns an error that the reading "looks too high".

I'm reluctant to update by phone because, as I understand, that would lose me a discount.

Thanks
Amy_OVO
Rank
Userlevel 6
I've moved your post here, @Jacob903, there is lots of helpful info above, please check out @Transparent's answer.

If you would rather contact us on Facebook you can do so https://m.me/ovoenergy .

Hope this helps!
OVO-Joyed to help!
P
Rank
I was erroneously switched away to Bulb just for gas last month. You've now switched me back and asked for meter readings, but I can't enter them. My account on your website just says 'Welcome to Ovo' and none of the buttons do anything.

Ovo ID is ** edited by moderator **
Transparent
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +2
@Paul99F - the timetable for switching gas accounts is governed by Xoserve who are the National Database for gas meters. They operate within the regulatory framework agreed with Ofgem.

There is a system of Notifications which pass between all parties in order to protect the customer and ensure that your account is not being hijacked by a third party etc. This process includes timescales when objections can be raised for matters such as a mismatch of Meter Numbers or incomplete meter readings.

Whilst this process occurs, OVO will only allow partial access to your online account pages. This is for your own protection. They cannot and must not attempt to speed up the process.
Save energy... recycle electrons!
Amy_OVO
Rank
Userlevel 6
I've moved your post here, @Paul99F, the above thread will give you the info you need.

Pop our team on Facebook a message with your readings, they'll add them on.

Thanks!
OVO-Joyed to help!
P
Rank
OK, but then why ask me to submit opening meter readings ( which you have done) if you know I can't access my online account?
Nancy_OVO
Userlevel 6
Hi @Paul99F - we'd ask all customers switching over to us to provide their opening reading as part of the automatic switching process. Most customers will have access to their online accounts in order to do this, but we wouldn't be able to identify tech issues ahead of this email being send in order to exempt you from it.
Your guiding light(bulb)
P
Rank
Yes, but I was already a customer of yours for both gas and electricity. I was erroneously switched to Bulb for gas only and now I can no longer submit any electricity readings.

I tried your Facebook link, but that doesn't work as I don't use the Facebook Messenger website.

How do you suggest I get my readings to you?
Transparent
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +2

Hi @Paul99F I normally recommend sending readings by email. That way you retain a record of what you submitted with a time/date stamp on it!

Save energy... recycle electrons!
P
Rank
OK, will do. Thanks
P
Rank
Well, I sent my readings as you suggested and I have now received an email notifying me that I have a statement available. Trouble is, I still can't log into my Ovo account, just get a 'server error' mesage when I try to do anything.
Eva_OVO
Rank
Userlevel 6
There's a few things you can try to get this sorted, @Paul99F.

  1. Log out of the account
  2. Delete your internet history, cookies and cache - this step is really important
  3. Reset your password, you can don this here
  4. Log in using your OVO ID as your username and your new password
Let us know how you get on, if you're still seeing the same page send us a message on Facebook or Twitter with your name, DoB and account number.
My friend told me how electricity is measured and I was like Watt!
P
Rank
Changing the password allowed me to get in instead of getting "Internal Server Error". However I now just get the pre-registering screen:

1 Attachment
Amy_OVO
Rank
Userlevel 6
I think there may be a tech issue, @Paul99F, please send us a message on Facebook or Twitter with your name, DoB and account number, our team will be able to help.

Thanks!
OVO-Joyed to help!
P
Rank
I did as you suggested six days ago via FB message. Have had no response and still cannot log into my Ovo account to see the statement that you've notified me about.
Amy_OVO
Rank
Userlevel 6
Our team responded, @Paul99F, there was a DPA issue potentially due to your Facebook settings, it might be easier giving our team a call.

You can reach us on: 0330 303 5063. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.

Hope this helps!
OVO-Joyed to help!
P
Rank
Think I'll just switch providers. Somehow you transferred me to Bulb without my knowledge, or even checking with me, now I can't get into my Ovo account, have to jump through hoops just to get back to where I was, despite following a link you supplied. Not sure I can be bothered any more.
Eva_OVO
Rank
Userlevel 6

It sounds like this was an erroneous transfer, @Paul99F, this is quite common in the energy industry - there's more information about this here.

We don't expect you to jump through hoops to get this sorted, you'll just need to get in touch with our Customer Care team on 0330 303 5063 or send them a message on Facebook, Twitter and our Help Centre has online chat, so they can get the ball rolling and get your supply returned to us. The team are available Monday-Friday 8am-8pm.

My friend told me how electricity is measured and I was like Watt!
P
Rank
Hmmm, if erroneous transfers are 'quite common' in the industry then the industry needs to do something about this absurd situation. How about checking with the customer first, before switching them away? This would then avoid all the hassle of transferring back plus all the time your admin staff spend on the task etc. I can't think of many industries that willingly give away customers on the word of an unconnected third-party like this.

As it is, you have let my account be switched away, with no checking whether I agreed to this, then suspended access to my Ovo account that I've had for years, and now want me to prove my identity in order to reactivate my account. Ridiculous.

I will raise this with Ofgem, I think, as a simple check with the customer before switching could save a lot of money.
Eva_OVO
Rank
Userlevel 6
We send a "Sorry you're leaving" letter/email before you're due to switch away from us, @Paul99F, at this point if the customer hasn't initiated a switch this would prompt them to get in touch and we can cancel the switch.

You'll need to work with us and our team to see if we can resolve this before you're able to discuss this with Ofgem, take a look at our complaints procedure.
My friend told me how electricity is measured and I was like Watt!
P
Rank
You did send a email, but because Gmail considers your emails as 'unsafe' (an IT configuration issue you need to rectify at your end), the emails are marked as spam, meaning I didn't see it

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