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scowan
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June 14, 2017
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Can you change a single rate smart meter to Economy 7 after it's been fitted?

  • June 14, 2017
  • 48 replies
  • 11201 views



Earlier this year I had a standard rate smart meter fitted. Since then I have bought a plug-in electric vehicle and I think it may be more economical to charge at 'Economy 7' overnight rate.

I have two questions......

1) Is it possible to retrospectively change a smart meter to dual rate mode?
2) If yes, what are the current costs for each rate?

Many thanks for your help.
    Best answer by Tim_OVO

    Updated on 07/10/25 by Ben_OVO


    Great question to ask about the possibility of updating your Smart Meter to a dual rate function. Bear in mind that Economy 7 has a cheaper off-peak (night time) rate and a more expensive peak (day time) rate. This means that Economy 7 is generally only best if you have night time storage heaters and/or an immersion tank that works on a timer. These appliances use a lot of power in the off-peak hours.

     

    You can find out more about Economy 7 here:

     

     

    Single Rate to Economy 7

     

    Unfortunately, we don't currently have the functionality to change Smart Meters from Single Rate to Economy 7, or vice versa. If this ever becomes available we’ll update the Forum to let you know.

     

    Economy 7 to Single Rate 

     

    Although we're unable to physically change the functionality of meters right now. We can put you on a single rate plan without changing the meter. We’d simply take both sets of readings and charge the total usage on one flat unit rate.

     

    If this is something you’re interested in, please get in touch with our Support Team.

     

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

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

    48 replies

    Show previous replies
    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    April 18, 2023

    Please wat is the cheapest tariff plan?

    Need suggestions..

    That depends on your usage, location and meters unfortunately so you will need to check. You can get a quote or look at tariffs. 
    https://switch.ovoenergy.com/

    https://plans.ovoenergy.com/

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      C
      Newcomer
      chrisvaughan
      Newcomer
      July 14, 2023

      A quick question. I have been a customer for many years and have just had a smart meter fitted a week ago.

      When I contact support they say it is impossible for me to move onto an Economy 7 tariff for my electric.

      As I have solar panels and a battery storage system in the house I would like to be able to charge the batteries during the night at a cheaper rate. 

      So the question is: Is it possible to move onto an Economy 7 tariff or not? And what are the current rates? 

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      July 14, 2023

      Coming soon!

      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!
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      July 14, 2023

      A quick question. I have been a customer for many years and have just had a smart meter fitted a week ago.

      When I contact support they say it is impossible for me to move onto an Economy 7 tariff for my electric.

      As I have solar panels and a battery storage system in the house I would like to be able to charge the batteries during the night at a cheaper rate. 

      So the question is: Is it possible to move onto an Economy 7 tariff or not? And what are the current rates? 

      Hi @chrisvaughan

      OVO can't currently offer this due to limitations in their system.

      I recommend you ask some other suppliers if they can do that for you. Octopus get the best reviews on Trustpilot and are the only supplier currently recommended by Which. So perhaps start by asking them.

      You can find the Octopus rates for all their tariff here

      Just enter your post code in the box at the bottom of the screen rather than selecting the quote button. 

      https://octopus.energy/tariffs/

       

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      July 14, 2023

      I’m in a similar position @chrisvaughan. Watching with interest as most smart meters have a dual register but OVO’s systems can’t currently make the switch

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        July 14, 2023

        I’m in a similar position @chrisvaughan. Watching with interest as most smart meters have a dual register but OVO’s systems can’t currently make the switch

        Unfortunate we. Have 

        Coming soon!

        Unfortunately @Blastoise186 we have heard the same thing from OVO for a long time now. I wouldn't recommend customers hang around currently given past experience, would you? 

        I think it is a shame it hasn't been pushed higher up the priority list given the cost of living crisis and the net zero agenda. 

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        July 14, 2023

        Please don’t ping me for literally every comment. It’s not needed and it also bypasses the way notifications are held back until I check a thread, causing more noise on my emails (for which I already get a LOT of them!). If I’ve recently posted in a thread, I’m probably also actively watching it via the feeds, so mentioning me doesn’t add any value as I’d see the activity anyway via the buzzcapture RSS Feed that I send to Discord.

        I have full alerts enabled for the entire forum regardless and I’m also ruthless with monitoring the feeds. Mentions are the thing I rely on for when people actually need my attention. I’ll get to you anyway, there’s no need to force it.

        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!
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        Newcomer
        ParaGirl
        Newcomer
        August 10, 2023

        Do Ovo do a tariff that’s compatible with storage heaters? I’ve been with Ovo a long time and really didn’t want to have to change.

        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        August 10, 2023

        They do have an economy 7 tariff @ParaGirl but it might depend on your meters to see if you can get it. 
        https://plans.ovoenergy.com/

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
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          Newcomer
          ParaGirl
          Newcomer
          August 10, 2023

          Thanks. They’ve told me that they can’t change my meter.

          Show more replies
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