I had an electricity meter installed in April for the good it’s done me.. Every month they ask me to submit manual readings because they can’t get smart reading. I don’t have a clue how to read it - the engineer didn’t show me. What is the point of a smart meter that doesn’t work and I can’t use. Ovo are awful. Can’t wait to leave. However any advice on how to read meter greatly appreciated. Thanks
Here is mine for example. Just to check the meter isn't sending any readings at all.
This is what I’ve got. Still asking me to do manual read but I don’t have the foggiest how to get to see the numbers on this meter and they put it in a damn awkward spot right next to the front door hinge!
I absolutely hate it but I had to have it or pay more! More of a hindrance than a help by far! Will be going there shortly to takke some photos. Will be easier when I move in next week!
@Cheekyone
OK it can take up to 6 weeks after installation for a smart meter to fully configure, although you have had yours over 6 weeks now so it would normally be OK.
Interesting OVO are picking up electric smart meter readings on the 21st and 30th of every month.
Contact the OVO Support Team and ask them to set your smart meters to send readings every 30 minutes.
You should then with any luck start to see readings on this page once a day and never have to read your smart meter.
It is worth a try as this is often the issue when there are regular but not daily smart meter reading on the app.
I would do this and see if it works before entering a manual reading on the app.
Does that make sense?
You can give the OVO Support Team a link to this thread in case it helps
Assuming you have one, what does the gas reading page look like?
If you’ve had a smart meter installed but your online account / app is asking for readings there could be an issue with the smart meter’s communication. You can use the guide below to check for smart issues yourself. If you believe that there are issues you can report this to our Support Team, who’ll arrange for the meter to be fixed free of charge, if necessary:
It may also be the case that your smart meter is in communication, but its reading schedule isn’t set up correctly. The online account and app are designed to work with smart meters that send readings once a day, or once every half an hour. if the reading schedule is set to once a month, then we won’t be able to display your usage data properly, and your online account / app may ask for manual readings, even though we’re getting them monthly.
Below are some guides that explain how to change your smart meter reading schedule online or on the app, and how to use the ‘Usage’ pages:
As each make of meter is different it would be useful if you could post a photo of the actual meter or give us the make and model of it we can give you step by step instructions.
This is what I’ve got. Still asking me ro do manual read but I don’t have the foggiest how to get to see the numbers on this meter and they put it in a damn awkward spot right next to the front door hinge!
I absolutely hate it but I had to have it or pay more! More of a hindrance than a help by far! Will be going there shortly to takke some photos. Will be easier when I move in next week!
Here is mine for example. Just to check the meter isn't sending any readings at all.
This is what I’ve got. Still asking me to do manual read but I don’t have the foggiest how to get to see the numbers on this meter and they put it in a damn awkward spot right next to the front door hinge!
I absolutely hate it but I had to have it or pay more! More of a hindrance than a help by far! Will be going there shortly to takke some photos. Will be easier when I move in next week!
@Cheekyone
OK it can take up to 6 weeks after installation for a smart meter to fully configure, although you have had yours over 6 weeks now so it would normally be OK.
Interesting OVO are picking up electric smart meter readings on the 21st and 30th of every month.
Contact the OVO Support Team and ask them to set your smart meters to send readings every 30 minutes.
You should then with any luck start to see readings on this page once a day and never have to read your smart meter.
It is worth a try as this is often the issue when there are regular but not daily smart meter reading on the app.
I would do this and see if it works before entering a manual reading on the app.
Does that make sense?
You can give the OVO Support Team a link to this thread in case it helps
Assuming you have one, what does the gas reading page look like?
If you’ve had a smart meter installed but your online account / app is asking for readings there could be an issue with the smart meter’s communication. You can use the guide below to check for smart issues yourself. If you believe that there are issues you can report this to our Support Team, who’ll arrange for the meter to be fixed free of charge, if necessary:
It may also be the case that your smart meter is in communication, but its reading schedule isn’t set up correctly. The online account and app are designed to work with smart meters that send readings once a day, or once every half an hour. if the reading schedule is set to once a month, then we won’t be able to display your usage data properly, and your online account / app may ask for manual readings, even though we’re getting them monthly.
Below are some guides that explain how to change your smart meter reading schedule online or on the app, and how to use the ‘Usage’ pages:
Said they couldn’t fit a gas one. So to make matters even worse, even though it is supposed to be a dual fuel account, they said even if they couldn’t fit gas one, then my tariff would stay same.. Hoever, my electricity now has and end date 28/04/23 but the gas is on 20/02/23 - 67 days apart so next year - I could end up paying an early exit fee even though this is supposed to be a 1 yr fixed deal. However, got so much going on with house move, it willhave to wait until after when I will certainly be taking this to the top. They have ignored two official complaints and when they did phone me, the caller could see my email but couldn”t answer my query - so why waste my time phoning? When they tried to pass me on a third time, I told them forget it because had to go through all security EVERY time they passed me on to somebody else. Think they do it deliberately to put you off trying to do something. Ovo are atrocious.
Your Landis Gyr E470 smart meter should show your reading automatically on its display screen. If you can't see it very well, press the A button a few times until you see the words Total Act Import on the screen. Beneath that, you should see your reading. The screen will light up, for better visibility.
But as i said, i wouldn't try giving a manual reading yet. Ask OVO to change the meter reading frequency to 30minutes and see if that fixes the electricity meter first.
Said they couldn’t fit a gas one. So to make matters even worse, even though it is supposed to be a dual fuel account, they said even if they couldn’t fit gas one, then my tariff would stay same.. Hoever, my electricity now has and end date 28/04/23 but the gas is on 20/02/23 - 67 days apart so next year - I could end up paying an early exit fee even though this is supposed to be a 1 yr fixed deal. However, got so much going on with house move, it willhave to wait until after when I will certainly be taking this to the top. They have ignored two official complaints and when they did phone me, the caller could see my email but couldn”t answer my query - so why waste my time phoning? When they tried to pass me on a third time, I told them forget it because had to go through all security EVERY time they passed me on to somebody else. Think they do it deliberately to put you off trying to do something. Ovo are atrocious.
cheers
Ceri
Hi @Cheekyone
OK so lets look at each issue in turn and see if any of us can help once you have moved. Here are a few things to look at once you have moved.
1. Gas Meter. Sometimes unfortunately a smart gas meter can't be fitted, e.g. it is too far away, not enough space. Did OVO explain why they couldn't fit one? It would be worth asking if only just to confirm. There may be nothing any supplier can do about that. So obviously you will have to give manual gas readings.
2. The Electricity meter readings, ask OVO to change the meter reading frequency to 30minutes and lets see if that works. I personally wouldn't give a manual electric readings until they have tried that. They are already getting 2 electric smart readings a month that they can use in the short term.
3. The different end dates for the contract for gas and electric. Is it just the end dates that don't align? Are the actual unit rates and standing charges for gas and electric as you expected?
4. Is there anything else?
I hope your move goes OK. Good luck in your new home.
Thanks very much for this info. It is all now going to have to wait until I’ve moved because there is a hell of a lot to unravel.
The gas meter is on the outside to the left of the front door as you approach it so I can’t understand the problem.
However, because my account is over £300 in credit, I cannot get a refund because of the meter reading thing. Ovo wanted to increase my d/d because I MAY be £23.75 in debit at end of fix. Ovo know damnwell that over the winter the gov’t are going to be crediting my account with £400. Every time I mention it, it falls on completely deaf ears an/or lack of understanding from the people I have been in contact with. Ovo have the worst customer service I have ever come accross.
I am completely unimpressed and quite angry to be honest.
