Economy 9 from THTC. Do I leave my Immersion switch in the ON position?

This sounds like a fairly simple fault cropping up when rewiring a THTC system to a smart metered one. I would expect your immersion heater to be energized only during offpeak hours, governed by a switch inside the new meter. We’ve seen several cases where this hasn’t been the case after similar meter exchanges, but it is often quite easy to correct. We’d have to know a lot more about your system first, though, to be able to suggest what you might have to say to OVO Support to get them to sort this out.

1. Please post some photos of your system:
   *  a close-up of the meter itself clear enough for its display and other markings to be legible. Touch one of the buttons to light up the display before taking the picture, and note the time you take it¹.
   *  A view of the box or cupboard or backboard where the meter is mounted, showing all the cables to and from the meter.
   *  A close-up of the consumer unit (‘fuse box’) with its lid propped open, clear enough for the labels on the individual breakers to be legible if possible. If there’s more than one CU, all of them.
2. What sort of space heating do you have?
   *  Night storage heaters
   *  Direct heaters (panel, electric radiators, IR ...)
   *  Solid fuel heater (e.g. a wood-burning stove)
   *  Other …
3. How do you know that the immersion heater is warming up during peak hours - can you hear it and/or is the red lamp lit? 
4. Is the switch in your picture the only one you have for the water heater?
     

[1]  If you can take close-ups of the meter both during the advertised offpeak hours and outwith them, so much the better. 3 pm and 5 pm should make sure you’re in the zone.

Firefox. Thank you for replying. My new meter has only been installed for two days but suddenly seems to be working. I left the immersion button in the on position and monitored and it is suddenly working. The immersion light goes on and off at the appropriate times that correspond with Economy 9 hours. Closely monitoring my smart meter too. What a difference! For some reason I had been put on the Simply Energy plan, and there was nothing simple about it. It was working out very expensive, so I was pleased to see that the amount used and was a vast improvement. Just a pity it has taken so long to get these new tariffs, but they are here now. I will keep my Diect Debit the same and pay off my outstanding money owed. The economy 9 plan has various times during the day and night, seems to keep the hot water constant, and the cost much better. Back to the way it was in the old THTC days. Thanks again. Very useful this forum! 

Hey ​@Srd02601 

I’m glad to see Firedog’s advice was helpful and the meter has settled down and working as it should be!

Feel free to pop back any time if you’ve every got any other questions.😊

Well I have used my Economy 9 tarriff for almost two weeks now. I took your advice Firedog and switched off the immersion so to miss out midnight to 3am and no issues, every second day.. Plenty hot water. I think my monthly bill could be less than £90. I cannot believe the difference, as on my last tarriff Simpler Energy I was paying a Direct Debit of £250. It was a lot because I was subject to an erroneous transfer and my energy cost were back dated. But with my previous tarriff, it was coming in at £240 per month., so I was never clearing the backlog. I like the smart meter too,. Psychologically much better for you. I feel a lot more savvy about the immersion now, as you can see the costs when heating and 3 x three hour windows of cheaper rate are good. If there is ample hot water I can skip a cycle without any issues. Good just having the one meter too. Thanks for all the advice. 😀

That’s some amazing feedback and i’m glad that the smart meters been working wonders for you. Having more money in your pocket and a feeling of control over your bills and usage is a great feeling! We appreciate you coming back with updates on your progress 😃

All thanks to you ​@Firedog as always you’ve really made a positive impact 😍

Nice feedback ​@Srd02601 

I think - hope - that one of the perhaps unexpected benefits of the switchover is that those affected may/will look more closely at the energy that they use and where savings may be possible without sacrifice (or at least not too much).

Of course like any major change there will be swings and roundabouts.