Skip to main content
N
Rank 1
nicka88
Rank 1
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

Show previous replies
L
Newcomer
ldjones48
Newcomer
March 28, 2023

Hi,

My smart meter is displaying incorrect "used so far today" cost data. For example it’s currently displaying 7.19 kWh used today, however, the cost is £0.23. I’m on a single rate tariff of £0.328 per kWh.

If you do the math, the cost for today should be £2.35, however, it’s showing as £0.23. Based on that, it appears the meter is calculating the cost on a £0.0328 per kWh.

How can I go about fixing this. Is this something OVO can fix for me remotely?

Kind regards

Lee

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
March 28, 2023

Yup! Easy peasy. Simply get Support to run Update Tariff Configuration and that should fix everything up

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!
    L
    Newcomer
    ldjones48
    Newcomer
    March 28, 2023

    Yup! Easy peasy. Simply get Support to run Update Tariff Configuration and that should fix everything up

    Thanks, I’ll give OVO a call!

    L
    Rank 1
    leebyx67
    Rank 1
    April 21, 2023

    I've got a huge charge showing of £29.99 in electric for 1 day!!! it's just not possible, I didn't do anything different to any other day! 

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    April 22, 2023

    Hello @leebyx67 and welcome to this customer forum. Can you give a few more details please .. have you recently switched? Are your meter readings all accurate or are any estimated - often a source of higher than normal costs

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    L
    Rank 1
    leebyx67
    Rank 1
    April 22, 2023

    I switched at the end of January, my smart meter wasn't working so ovo came out to fit a new one on the 12th April, so readings would start from zero I assume on new meter.... just can't understand why randomly 1 day this week I see a charge like this! 

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    April 22, 2023

    I switched at the end of January, my smart meter wasn't working so ovo came out to fit a new one on the 12th April, so readings would start from zero I assume on new meter.... just can't understand why randomly 1 day this week I see a charge like this! 

    During the first few weeks of a new meter it doesn’t always connect and can take a while to get in sync. It’s worth checking your meter readings as they may be estimated for that strange cost. 
    https://account.ovoenergy.com/meter-readings

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    April 24, 2023

    Hey @leebyx67,

     

    Can you please upload a screenshot of your meter readings on the Online Account. This should give us more of an idea of what’s happened here.

     

    Please don’t include any personal information in the screenshot. 

    Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

    OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

    OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

    OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd