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Does my In Home Display (IHD) need to be plugged in all the time?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
January 12, 2019
16 replies
62318 views

Does your smart meter have to be plugged in all the time? I turn the display thing off sometimes to plug other things in. Will this affect OVO getting my readings?

Thanks

Best answer by Jess_OVO

Updated on 30/04/26 by Ben_OVO

A great question to ask about your In-Home Display (IHD).

This device allows you to view your smart meter usage data by connecting to your smart meter via the Home Area Network (HAN). We’d advise keeping the device as close as possible to your electricity meter if you’d like an easy way to check your real-time usage.

Your IHD doesn’t have to be plugged in all the time as runs off a battery. If you do have it plugged in it doesn’t use much power at all.

If you’d prefer not to use the IHD you can unplug and store the device without impacting the connection of your smart meters. As the smart meters use the Wide Area Network (WAN) to send us your meter readings, they’ll be unaffected by the function of any IHD.

Don’t forget you can also check your usage data via the usage pages of your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS).

For more IHD advice check out the guides below:

S2 Chameleon IHD Guide

S1 Chameleon IHD Guide

S1 Pipit IHD Guide

Jess_OVOSolved

OVO Staff

Updated on 30/04/26 by Ben_OVO

A great question to ask about your In-Home Display (IHD).

This device allows you to view your smart meter usage data by connecting to your smart meter via the Home Area Network (HAN). We’d advise keeping the device as close as possible to your electricity meter if you’d like an easy way to check your real-time usage.

Your IHD doesn’t have to be plugged in all the time as runs off a battery. If you do have it plugged in it doesn’t use much power at all.

If you’d prefer not to use the IHD you can unplug and store the device without impacting the connection of your smart meters. As the smart meters use the Wide Area Network (WAN) to send us your meter readings, they’ll be unaffected by the function of any IHD.

Don’t forget you can also check your usage data via the usage pages of your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS).

For more IHD advice check out the guides below:

S2 Chameleon IHD Guide

S1 Chameleon IHD Guide

S1 Pipit IHD Guide

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T

Technophobe

Rank 5

It's on the in-home display screen.

Blastoise186

Super User

Ah ok. Which IHD do you have @Technophobe ? If you’re not sure, please post photos of it and we’ll help you out.

For a Chameleon IHD6 though, simply choose the Messages option from the menu.

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!

T

Technophobe

Rank 5

It's the chameleon. I'm not happy with it as the signal is very variable here and I worry about inconsistent readings being sent and being converted to estimates. I stopped the charging last night and the screen had gone blank, going on again when I switched the charge on again. Surely, cost-wise and efficiency-wise, it doesn't have to be charged all the time? Can I just send meter readings myself at the designated time? Which will my bill be based on, the smart meter or the conventional meter readings? There is now no envelope and no "You have a new message" message. I'm afraid I'm finding this very stressful and far from ideal. I have M.E. and my capacity for all that this seems to entail is just not there.

M.isterW

Rank 6

Your IHD is only used to show you data from the smart meter. It isn't required for the smart meter to work properly and send data to your energy company. You could leave it switched off in the box and your meter would work fine.

1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊

T

Technophobe

Rank 5

Ah, I was told I had to have a smart meter or my plan would change? I just find it all too stressful.

M.isterW

Rank 6

No need to worry. You have a smart meter.

The IHD is just a display for your interest. It is not an essential part of the smart meter. Mine is switched off on a shelf somewhere.

1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊