Skip to main content
Answer

I'm PAYG- OVO want to change my meter read schedule? Why?

  • April 4, 2023
  • 11 replies
  • 274 views
H
Carbon Cutter*****

Hello,

I  am on a Pay as you Go Smart Meter.  I just received an email to say they wanted to switch me from monthly readings. It said to give me more accurate bills.  I don't get bills on payg. They had my name and account number.  There was a link to a form to fill in my preferences myself so I said I wanted daily/ half hourly readings.  I noticed an icon in the top right hand corner which said My Account.  When I pressed it it took me to a page which is for credit meter accounts.  I phoned and the lady said they might have sent it to wrong person.  She said she could change my readings to daily/ half hourly there while on the phone.  I am anxious that they are going to change my meter from PAYG to credit mode.  She said no it will still be PAYG as they still take meter readings.  Have I done the wrong thing filling in the form?  They had my correct account number. I want to stay on PAYG. I am worried I did the wrong thing with the form as I was half asleep.  I had something like this from SSE once but didn't reply so was left on monthly readings.

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 29/07/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:
​​​​​

If you’re on PAYG, realistically the only thing that setting does is helps your supplier know how much energy you used, so they can make sure they buy in enough juice to cover your usage, balance the grid and do other background tasks.

It won’t affect your billing if you’re on PAYG because you’ve already paid for your energy before you spent anything.
 

 Got questions about your smart meter? This topic might be helpful:
 


How to get in contact about my OVO Pay As You Go account:
 

 

11 replies

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Blastoise186Plan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • April 4, 2023

I think you can probably just ignore it if you’re PAYG. It won’t do much in your case.

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!
Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Blastoise186Plan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • Answer
  • April 4, 2023

Updated on 29/07/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:
​​​​​

If you’re on PAYG, realistically the only thing that setting does is helps your supplier know how much energy you used, so they can make sure they buy in enough juice to cover your usage, balance the grid and do other background tasks.

It won’t affect your billing if you’re on PAYG because you’ve already paid for your energy before you spent anything.
 

 Got questions about your smart meter? This topic might be helpful:
 


How to get in contact about my OVO Pay As You Go account:
 

 

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!
H
Carbon Cutter*****
  • hallj12345
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 4, 2023

Hello, 

Ok thank you.  I know sometimes with the traditional meters they occasionally send someone round to take a reading.  Even on PAYG I used to think that was strange but thanks for your reply.

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Blastoise186Plan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • April 4, 2023

No worries.

You’ll still get the odd meter reader visit regardless of meter type/tariff combo, mostly just to verify everything is in order and working as intended.

By the way, with traditional prepayment meters, the meter readings were submitted semi-automatically via the key/card as there was no direct link to the meter. Whenever you put the “Top-Up Device” (the fancy name for those things!) into the meter, the current meter reading and credit/debit balance would be written to the key/card immediately, and when you put the same key/card into the top-up terminal at the shop, it’d read the meter reading and balance from the key/card and submit that to your supplier as part of the top-up request.

Pretty clever huh?

It’s also one of the reasons why you have to insert the key/card into the meter to activate Emergency Credit. :)

Smart Meters just make the whole job a lot easier.

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
H
Carbon Cutter*****
  • hallj12345
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 4, 2023

Also can I ask I got an email last month on the 17th March saying my new Top up card was on its way haven't received anything.  Can you just give the Paypoint your card number if I chose to pay this way as I know it.  It's the same as with SSE.

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Blastoise186Plan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • April 4, 2023

I can’t access your account as a forum volunteer, and no-one here can do so via the forum.

You’ll need to contact Support. Try 0330 175 9669

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!
H
Carbon Cutter*****
  • hallj12345
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 4, 2023

When I phone  0330 175 9669 I get told they are credit meters and I looked online and found 0330 303 5063 is the PAYG number.  I call it and get straight through.  I mentioned this once before and Tim said he would get it flagged.  

Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager

Hey @hallj12345,

 

That’s very unusual, 0330 303 5063 is the pay monthly number? But as long as you’ve managed to get through.

 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
H
Carbon Cutter*****
  • hallj12345
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 5, 2023

Hello,

I just called 0330 175 9669 to enquire whether they were paying.  She said yes.  Only when I joined OVO from SSE I phoned this number and was told it was credit meter customers.  When I phone 0330 303 5063 they get my account up.  Have I done something wrong?

Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager

Hey @hallj12345,

 

If your meters have accidentally been changed to pay monthly, and they should be pay as you go. You can flag this with Support who will raise this to be reversed. If you’re contacting 0330 303 5063 who are successfully able to get your account up, I’d reach out to them. 

 

Keep us posted with how you get on.

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
H
Carbon Cutter*****
  • hallj12345
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*****
  • April 6, 2023

Hello,

No my meter is still PAYG.  I phoned 0330 175 9669 yesterday and they said they were PAYG.  I asked the other number if they were PAYG and they say yes.  Perhaps some of the call center staff are not very knowledgeable.  I don't know my meter is PAYG anyway.  The first time I called they number you give I was told they were pay monthly.  I think some of them get their wires crossed.  I have just topped up so it's in PAYG mode and checked my meter and in-home display both are PAYG mode. The correct number can get my account up as well.

Emmanuelle_OVO
Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement