Skip to main content
Rank 1
November 21, 2021
Solved

Gas Smart meter failed battery failed and I'm off supply - How can I get an emergency appointment at the weekend?

  • November 21, 2021
  • 63 replies
  • 16754 views

Smart meter failed.  No display. Will not wake up, no warnings (Audiable) or on the smart meter in-house display  Spoke to Cadet they said the meter faulty.   Why do smart meters fail closed?  The fail appeared on Saturday afternoon, Central heating boiler detected no gas ignition.  Cadet said OVO are responsible for the meter and require it to be replaced.  Just seems mad to fail closed.  No heating/hot water for nearly 2 days.

I assume as the fault is with the OVO there will be a compensation owed for inconvenience.

 

Meter approx 10 years old.

Best answer by Jess_OVO

Updated 26/11/25 by Ben_OVO

 

I’m so sorry to hear your gas meter battery failed, @gareth, particularly as this left you off-supply. 

 

All gas meters (Smart and traditional) have an internal battery that power them. This is designed to last for up to 20 years, with a meter recertification (exchanging the meter to replace it with a new one) scheduled every 10 years, so it’s unusual for this issue to crop up so soon. If your gas smart meter is making a beeping sound, it indicates that the battery is low and the meter will need replacing. If the battery fails this can affect the supply, as in your case, so it’s important to reach out to our Support Team if you do ever notice that your meter is beeping.

 

It’s really distressing to hear that this happened out-of-hours and you were unable to give us a call. For electricity, the Distribution Network Operator in your region can be contacted directly when an energy supplier is closed, and the electricity meter is off supply due to fault. They should be able to replace that meter and get the property back on supply. This safeguard is in place as electricity is considered an essential service with medical equipment and even medicines in fridges requiring a continuous electricity supply. With that in mind, we always advise anyone in such a situation to register for the priority services register.

 

In a scenario where the gas meter is faulty and off supply and the energy supplier is closed, the National Grid will be unable to replace the meter. In the case of OVO Energy, our Support Team are on hand 6 days a week to help arrange a short notice engineer visit to replace that meter. 

 

Emergency and contact details can be found here:

 

 

I’m hoping you’ve managed to get through to the team to arrange a same-day emergency appointment already. Keep us posted if you need any extra help. 

63 replies

Jeffus
Rank 20
Rank 20
December 7, 2023

Hi @Davison01 

I don't work for ovo, I am just a customer like you 

Unfortunately there is no out of hours phone number for gas

If it happens again outside hours try a direct message via the official ovo Facebook or Twitter/X. Include your name, address, date of birth and account number to get pass security. You may then get a reply out of hours via these routes

https://www.facebook.com/ovoenergy

 

Hope you get sorted soon when ovo open this morning 

https://www.ovoenergy.com/help#contact_us_container

If you post how you get on it may help other customers in a similar situation in the future 

Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
December 7, 2023

Hey @Davison01 

 

Sorry to hear about this.

 

Jeffus has left some good advice about the use of social media, but all contact channels are now open.

 

Have you been in touch with someone about the issue this morning?

Currently Playing: She's Electric
Newcomer
December 30, 2023

It’s Saturday 30th December 2023. The gas smart meter screen is blank, the local gas engineer says the valve is open but no gas going to house. The online account information telephone number is closed until Tuesday, the alternative number 03303035063 adviser says they cannot help as it is a meter fault that ovo need to sort. The online account smart meter check questions are not relevant when the screen is blank - it’s obviously not working! I have MS and am a priority customer but there is no immediate contact emergency number for me to use that I can see, just how to register and sign up! I am stuck now with no heating, cooking facilities, hot water etc. why can I not ring someone to come and help me before next Tuesday, even though it’s the holiday period? What can I do to resolve this asap, I am cold and really struggling with my ms in this cold house. Just tell me what to do………

Newcomer
December 30, 2023

I am new to the forums, and don’t have much knowledge, but a year ago someone had a similar problem, and the advice they got might be useful to you.

 

You might want to try the  Facebook or Twitter avenues ASAP, incase someone is monitoring them now.

I hope this helps. 

Newcomer
December 30, 2023

Thank you Joanx will have a look

Jeffus
Rank 20
Rank 20
December 30, 2023

@Anitaking try sending a direct message on twitter as well as a general post.

Along with your direct message include your name, address, phone number, account number and date of birth to get pass security. Clearly don't include this in a general post. Include the word Emergency in your description of the situation.

If you are lucky someone may pick it up.

Else try the blue button for Facebook messenger you should see 

 

Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
January 1, 2024

Hey @Anitaking 

 

Joanx and Jeffus have left some good advice here while Support options are limited, the Social Media team should be able to help you, as it sounds like you’re in need of a meter replacement due to the blank screen.

 

If you haven’t already, please do get in touch with the teams via Social Media. To start a Facebook Messenger chat, go to the bottom left corner of this webpage and click the blue circle. You can chat to us as a ‘guest’ if you don’t have a Facebook profile. 

 

Let us know how you get on.

Currently Playing: She's Electric
Newcomer
January 1, 2024

Thank you, I have done this and was sent a message with their opening hours which presume doesn’t apply today? Have sent my act details etc. so waiting to hear.

Firedog
Super User
Super User
January 1, 2024

I have done this and was sent a message with their opening hours which presume doesn’t apply today? 
 

 

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. |
Newcomer
January 1, 2024

Thank you firedog, yes they are closed but with emergency support for prepaid customers, which I am not. Every other contact link they provide sends you round in circles with no actual help, I have done all the tutorials, pressed all the buttons but it is dead!