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nicka88
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January 12, 2018
Solved

High usage costs shown on my new smart meter In Home Display (IHD) - Are my prices correct?

  • January 12, 2018
  • 48 replies
  • 39429 views

I had new smart meters fitted yesterday afternoon. Rather shocked to see my costs at over £5 for half a day by the time I went to bed!!! Most of it was Gas usage (>£3) and it wasn't even a cold day. According to my Nest thermostat, the boiler was only running approx 1.5 hours since the meter was fitted. How can 1.5 hrs heating equate to £3 usage ? Boiler (not combi) is rated 24 kW max and tariff shows 4p/kW (which is wrong - should be 2.68p). My basic maths suggests this should be 1.5 hrs * 24 kW * £ 0.04 = £ 1.44 + 27p standing charge. That assumes boiler runs at full tilt the whole time which is not correct as I hear it modulate down after a few minutes.

This doesn't seem right to me. Even if/when the tariff is corrected it seems too high.
How can I get the tariff set to the one I'm actually signed up to? How likely is it I've got a duff meter that is reading too high on gas?

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 09/10/25 by Ben_OVO

 

Sorry for the inaccurate unit rates you’re seeing on your In-Home Display (IHD). Sometimes it can take up to 6 weeks for your smart meter to complete the initialising process, which could mean that the information displayed your device might not be accurate to begin with.

 

Once it’s fully set-up the tariff information showing on the device should match the rates showing on your online account or OVO app (see the guide below).

 

 

If it’s been over 6 weeks since your smart meter was installed and things still don’t line up - reach out to our Support Team who can make sure the rates on your IHD are corrected. In the meantime it’s worth bearing in mind:

 

Usage costs on your IHD may not 100% match your daily charges

 

If the unit rates loaded on to your device aren’t accurate, the daily costs shown here won’t match what you’re actually charged. For this reason we’d always advise checking the actual usage charges on your bills, which can be downloaded via your online account or OVO app. You can also check the ‘Usage’ section of the online account / app, which gives you a more detailed breakdown of your usage than your IHD does.

 

 

No increase in costs due to a smart meter


Having a smart meter installed won't directly increase your costs. There are no hidden effects on usage, and your unit rates and standing charges won't change. 

 

Your meter will be accurate

 

The meter will clock accurately. Old meters can slow down, or even speed up meaning they're not measuring your energy usage correctly. We'd only expect to see this with very old meters. A brand new meter, smart or otherwise, will clock what you're using accurately.

 

OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Not in communication with your smart meter? Fill out this Online Form 

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

48 replies

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BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
November 20, 2022

Good Morning

I’m not long up this morning and my smart meter says I’ve already used £1.50 in gas.. My heating was set to 15C  overnight.

That does sound high although as @M.isterW mentions you will need to factor in the standing charge. Is this an unusual first thing reading or have you not noticed before?

Our overnight setting is also 15deg but I’ve not seen anything that high to start the day. If your boiler is one of the latest, it does take into account the outdoor temperature so depending on your local weather, that may be a factor. 
On your settings, it’s certainly worth switching eco mode on and then adjust the flow temperature to between 70 and 75 deg

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    A
    Rank 2
    Amerififer
    Rank 2
    November 24, 2022

    My heating has been set at 14 c since last night.. Never bumped it up this morning before heading to work.. Yet I came home at 1630 to find gas usage was £2.21.Showered last night so not hot water.. ANY idea on why ?   Seems a high usage to me when heating has been set at 14 since last night.. 

     

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    November 24, 2022

    It could be several factors:

    • Your IHD shows the Standing Charges as part of the costs
    • Maybe your boiler flipped on during the day?
    • Did your heating come on at some point?

    Food for thought. :)

    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!
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      November 24, 2022

      Hi @Amerififer if you have a smart meter and are set for readings every 30min, then post a copy of your  Day usage page for us to have a look at. Then we can see when the usage occurred

       

      https://account.ovoenergy.com/usage?datePeriod=daily&unit=kwh

        A
        Rank 2
        Amerififer
        Rank 2
        November 24, 2022

        Have tried to get 30 min reading ability several times now from OVO Not happened so far.    Just frustrated !!! 

         

        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        November 24, 2022

        If you have a combi boiler is the pre-heat option selected? This will use gas to keep water in the system hot even if you aren't using it.

        1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
          A
          Rank 2
          Amerififer
          Rank 2
          November 24, 2022

          If you have a combi boiler is the pre-heat option selected? This will use gas to keep water in the system hot even if you aren't using it.

          I do have a combi boiler… No idea if pre heat is selected or not to be honest.. Fairly new boiler , will need to check to see how I access that .. thanks for the suggestion.. 

           

            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            November 24, 2022

            Have tried to get 30 min reading ability several times now from OVO Not happened so far.    Just frustrated !!! 

             

            Vote for this

             

              A
              Rank 2
              Amerififer
              Rank 2
              November 25, 2022

              Can't get a 30 min usage on OVO. Have Bright app as well. According to it's 30 min usage mapping, this was the usage when temp was set to 14 while I was at work, so not home to use any gas. I've a  Baxter Maxi 800 combi boiler and can't find any info on if/where there is a pre heat function. Any ideas welcome. Screen shot of yesterday usage when no one was home. 

               

                M.isterW
                Rank 6
                M.isterW
                Rank 6
                November 25, 2022

                Do you have a Baxi uSense controller? If you do, this video shows how to turn pre-heat off.

                 

                https://youtu.be/FiJsruKEslI

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