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Do I need a meter upgrade- I want to go to single rate to Economy 7?

  • July 27, 2025
  • 12 replies
  • 332 views
T
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Spoke to customer care on the 23-07-2025 regarding a meter change, i need to go from a single tariff smart meter to a dual tariff such as Smart economy 9. I’am having HHR storage heaters and solar panels installed on 01- 08 - 2025 under the ECO4 Scheme. After twenty minutes on hold, off hold with the adviser speaking to technical support the issue was not resolved, i told them to look at their web site for online accounts under full electric homes, then select ( smart time use of tariffs ) this i would qualifier for as am 100% electric, electric heating and water. In reading economy 7 meter topics, i see OVO don’t fit these any more but do fit a SMETS2 ( S2 ). Why wasn’t one off these options offered to me ?i  have been a loyal customer for over twenty years firstly  SWALEC then SSE and now OVO surely this should count, if this can’t be resolved i will be forced to look at another supplier. I presently have a smart meter ( EDMI  Standard 420 ).

 

                                   Thanks  Tony 

Best answer by Firedog

Thanks for the photo.

That is indeed a SMETS2 meter with an Auxiliary Load Control Switch (ALCS). That means it is quite capable of managing ToU plans like Economy 7, 9 and 10, so long as the supplier has the appropriate systems in place. If you need the meter to control the timing of power to a heating circuit (for your storage heaters and hot water tank), an external contactor would have to be installed, presumably as part of the ECO4 work. 

Is the meter in good communication with the smart network (WAN)? It probably is if your meter readings and usage data are appearing in your online account. That being the case, it should be possible to make the changes needed to get the meter set up for your new plan remotely when you’re ready. 

 

PS You might find this handy: ES-10B 4 Terminal Single Phase Electricity Meter

T

12 replies

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
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  • Blastoise186Plan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • July 27, 2025

Hi ​@tony.davies2 ,

You probably already have a suitable meter and I’m 100% confident it’s already SMETS2. Please show us photos of it so I can check.

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  • tony.davies2
  • Author
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  • July 27, 2025

My understanding it’s not  SMETS2 as there are only four tails, saying that you know more than more and all your help is gratefully appreciated.

 

T
Nukecad
Plan Zero Hero
  • NukecadPlan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • July 27, 2025

That is a SMETS2 meter. Most SMETS2 meters have 4-tails.

The 5- tail ones are a newish development, mainly developed because of the RTS switch off.

(Before that an extra box was sometimes added/fixed onto the side of the standard 4-tail meter).

In some RTS cases there are complicated switching setups, eg. with 2- meters involved, and a 5-tail SMETS2 meter can replace the old meters better than a 4-tail one would.

However as you are already running a SMETS2 with 4-tails then I think the one you have should already be capable of running E7 or E10

Blastwoise186 knows a lot more than I do about this stuff and what is possible with what meter.

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
Emmanuelle_OVO
Firedog
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  • FiredogPlan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • Answer
  • July 27, 2025

Thanks for the photo.

That is indeed a SMETS2 meter with an Auxiliary Load Control Switch (ALCS). That means it is quite capable of managing ToU plans like Economy 7, 9 and 10, so long as the supplier has the appropriate systems in place. If you need the meter to control the timing of power to a heating circuit (for your storage heaters and hot water tank), an external contactor would have to be installed, presumably as part of the ECO4 work. 

Is the meter in good communication with the smart network (WAN)? It probably is if your meter readings and usage data are appearing in your online account. That being the case, it should be possible to make the changes needed to get the meter set up for your new plan remotely when you’re ready. 

 

PS You might find this handy: ES-10B 4 Terminal Single Phase Electricity Meter

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. |
Emmanuelle_OVO
T
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  • tony.davies2
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  • July 27, 2025

Thanks for your input, the meter is sending data every 30 minutes. Your link is appreciated and i have downloaded to my files has it could be useful for the contractor. There still remains my problem with OVO changing my tariff any suggestions. 

T
Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager
  • Emmanuelle_OVO
  • Community Manager
  • July 28, 2025

Hey ​@tony.davies2, 

I’ve responded to you here: 
 

 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
T
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  • tony.davies2
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  • July 28, 2025

How do i  change my tariff to a dual tariff for my new install? Blastoise186,Nukecad and Firedog have said that i already have a SMETS2 METER and that it can be done remotely.

T
Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager
  • Emmanuelle_OVO
  • Community Manager
  • July 29, 2025

Hey ​@tony.davies2, 
 

This topic should help answer your question: 
 

 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
T
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  • tony.davies2
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  • July 29, 2025

Thank you for the information, the problem is the contact centre, they are saying that economy 7,9 and 10 are not available. The advisor put me on hold on three occasions while she spoke to tech support, i read the three plans to the adviser and stated that they are on their help page under Electric heating, still no joy and my situation unresolved. One more thing do you know the up to date tariff’s for the following.

 

                                   Economy  7

                                   Economy10

                                   Smart Economy 9

                              Thanks Tony.     

T
Nukecad
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  • NukecadPlan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • July 29, 2025

For tariffs go to https://plans.ovoenergy.com/

Put in your postcode and click/tap the button to see the current plans and tariffs for your area.

I've just put mine in (without changing the filters so I'm shown “available for sale”, all meter types, all payment types) and it's showing me various E7, E9, and E10 plans and tariffs.

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
T
T
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  • tony.davies2
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  • July 29, 2025

Thanks Nukecad , so many to look at and i thick E9 or E10 will suit me best, what do you think ?

T
T
Nukecad
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  • NukecadPlan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • July 29, 2025

Sorry but without knowing your setup, or your habits/usage cases it's difficult to say what may be best.

I don't know any better than you how your new HHR units will suit your heating needs.

if I was able to offer an opinion then it could only be an opinion; and one that may well be wrong.

In the end you have to make your own choice and see if it was the right one. If it wasn't the best choice then you change it down the line.

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
Emmanuelle_OVO
T
Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager
  • Emmanuelle_OVO
  • Community Manager
  • July 30, 2025

Hey ​@tony.davies2, 

This topic explains more about the different tariff options:
 

 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
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