Can I have a smart meter with an Economy 7 plan?

I have a key meter which is on economy 7. I have dimplex storage heaters. I have previously had a pay as you go smart meter which stopped my heating and hot water working due to not being able to work with economy 7. Now the problem is that the radio teleswitch signal is due to be switched off in 2025 and i have been informed by OVO I will have to get a new meter. I am on a tight budget and do require the pay as you go meter. I am very concerned that because of the lack of signal in my area as well for smart meters I am going to be forced into paying an estimated bill by direct debit card also loosing the cheap night rate of economy 7. 
 

Can anyone please advise me?

There will be checks performed on the signal in the area before your meter is replaced. However, if you don’t replace it, I’m afraid you’ll ultimately experience more pain than if you do replace it.

When on Pay Monthly, manual meter readings are ALWAYS possible - even if the Smart Meter isn’t sending any. You just need actual meter readings from somewhere to get accurate bills. It doesn’t really matter where - as long as they’re submitted during the correct window.

Thanks for your reply. What I want to know is can I stay on pay as you go when the meter is replay?

If that is what you desire, then yes.

I have received a couple of letters from OVO that say I urgently need to have a smart meter installed due to the RTS signal being switched off soon.

My meter was changed in late 2020 by SSE prior to my account being taken over by OVO (all SSE Economy 7 accounts were thus transferred).

The meter installed by SSE is a type 5246C, which, as far as I can see, is a timed device that switches between day and night rates according to its internal settings. The meter switches at precisely the same times each day, and currently works perfectly. Readings are easily taken. I am reluctant to have something changed that currently works perfectly.

As far as I can see, the RTS receiver has been removed.

I sent a letter to OVO a few weeks ago asking if there is another reason to replace the meter of which I am not aware, but have not received a reply.

I have also been telephoned by an OVO representative to ask me to make an appointment to have a smart meter installed. I relayed the above information, but did not get an answer to my question - I believe he made a note that I did not want to make an appointment at present. I think he also said that I should get a response to my letter.

In the meantime, is there any knowledgeable individual that can confirm that my current meter is indeed stand-alone, and that there are no other issues of which I am unaware.

I’ll be very grateful for any advice.

Hi @aw999 ,

I need to see photos of the meter and everything around it to answer this. Please post them in your next reply.

Just so you know, I’ll be underwater for most of the day tomorrow, so my replies may be delayed. Please feel free to reply at your convenience and I’ll pick up with you once I’m back.

Thanks!

Thanks!

While it’s true the RTS Shutdown won’t affect that exact meter, you’re NOT out of the woods. That meter is still reaching End of Service Life and needs probably replacing anyway due to age… Which would be to a Smart Meter. If you leave it in place, I cannot 100% guarantee it’ll continue to be accurate, which runs the risk of messing up your bills over time.

I’d recommend you upgrade to a Smart Meter now anyway, because you probably won’t want to run the risk of meter accuracy issues down the road.

Thank you very much for your advice.

Hey @aw999,

It looks like our volunteer @Blastoise186 has you covered. Thanks for sharing more about your setup so we know what you’re working with. It helps with other members who find the post and may be in similar circumstances. 

If you don’t receive a response to your letters, return to the thread and let us know so we can follow up on this for you!