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Jess666
Rank 1
July 30, 2022
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Does my In Home Display (IHD) smart meter need to be plugged in all the time?

  • July 30, 2022
  • 17 replies
  • 13714 views

Does the smart meter need to be plugged in all the time? As soon as I unplug mine it starts to beep practically straight away so is this the way they are meant to be? Cheers Jess 

Best answer by nealmurphy

Updated on 13/05/26 by Chris_OVO

 

Hi @Jess666 

The in-home display unit has a very short battery life and will therefore need to be plugged in if you wish to use it. This will generally use less than £1 of electricity a year to run.

 

The display can be useful in working out what appliances are using the most energy. However, your smart meter doesn't require your display unit to be powered on in order to send readings, so you may prefer to unplug the display and use an online account to keep track of your usage.

 

The following topics might be helpful here if you still want more information:

17 replies

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nealmurphy
Newcomer
nealmurphy
Newcomer
September 8, 2022

No problem @PamEgl 

Just to clarify my previous statement. What I meant by checking usage of individual appliances was that by pressing the ‘NOW’ button (or similar) on your IHD, you’ll be able to see your current energy usage. With this function, you can then see instantly the effects of switching individual appliances on and off.

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    September 8, 2022

    For a Chameleon IHD6, IHD7 or an ivie Bud, you can simply tap the grey bar on the home screen a few times until you get to Now. :)

    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!
      P
      Newcomer
      PamEgl
      Newcomer
      September 8, 2022

      Thanks for the clarifications!

        N
        Newcomer
        noelcn101
        Newcomer
        October 3, 2022

        At least you’ve got one. I have now 3 times requested an IHD as I didn’t get one when I was transferred from SSE. I have had 3 phone calls from OVO saying ‘yes, of course, we will send one’ but months down the line there’s no sign of it. The messaging ‘service’ on the so called ‘Help Centre’ is useless - just says ‘redirecting’ all the time. The only ‘service’ I’ve got from OVO is monthly price increases - not impressed. 

        *Edited by Mod*

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        October 3, 2022

        Hi @noelcn101 ,

        Just so you know, I’m a forum volunteer rather than an OVO employee.

        Please be careful about posting personal information on the forum as this is a public space. I’ve asked a moderator to edit your comment to remove it for you.

        As for getting an IHD, you might be able to get one faster using the options I’ve researched.

         

        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!
        N
        Newcomer
        noelcn101
        Newcomer
        October 3, 2022

        Thank you, I’m new to this I didn’t realise I was replying to you personally. 

        Emmanuelle_OVO
        Retired Moderator
        Emmanuelle_OVO
        Retired Moderator
        October 3, 2022

        Hey @noelcn101,

         

        I’ve removed your personal details from this thread. 

         

        I’m sorry you’ve not yet received your IHD. I have an update on this: -

         

        If you have a SMETS1 meter which isn’t enrolled on the DCC, you will have to wait until it’s enrolled as no further stock of the SMETS1 IHDs are being manufactured. 

         

        We have a great guide about this topic:

         

         

        If you have a SMETS2 meter, the current timeframe is 1-2 weeks. We’re expecting new models very soon and will be fulfilling backlog.

         

        In the meantime, you can see you usage information on the Online Account and App. We have usage graphs, as well as a live billing system:

         

         

         

        Hope this helps. 

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