How far apart can my meters be to allow a smart meter upgrade?

That may not have been your wisest move. There are three devices involved in this: two meters and the communications hub (usually on top of the electricity meter). It’s the comms hub that gets data from the meters and pushes them out to both the IHD and the DCC. There are specific protocols the engineer has to follow when installing new meters to get this four-way communication to work; there are steps to be taken to investigate any problems and ways of solving them. 

New equipment means the engineer starts from a clean slate, so to speak - you wrote earlier that “OVO had done something that stopped the electricity meter sending readings.” Whatever this was, it wouldn’t affect a new meter. I’m afraid you’ve delayed any solution to your original problem by not having the kit that’s not working replaced.

I’m not sure what your next step should be.

Hi Firedog,

Yes, I understand most of that - including your point about wisdom.

However, it was clear that the SMS engineer wanted to follow a more logical protocol.

Having observed the signal level at the gas meter was good, his preferred approach was nevertheless to replace the gas meter first, and then potentially the hub. But this was disallowed by instruction from OVO while he was here.

Sorry if my wisecrack came across as offensive 🙏

It’s not easy to follow events at a distance and after the fact, but even so, I still don’t quite understand why you let the engineer go without doing anything to remedy the situation. Engineer visits are like gold, and it will probably be weeks until you can persuade OVO to send another one with exactly the same instructions. 

No offence taken Firedog.

Hey @GrandpaG,

I’m sorry you didn’t have the most successful appointment, 

I would advise getting in contact with the support team who’ll re-arrange the meter exchanges. As the SMS engineer did a thorough investigation, and will pass on the job report to OVO, hopefully the appointment will be quicker and smoother next time. 

If there are any vulnerabilities in the home, or any of the occupants are over the age of 65, you can be added to the Priority Services Register and request regular meter reading appointments. These will be free of charge and ensure your bills are accurate until your meter issues are resolved. 

Hi Emmanuelle_OVO,

Thanks for the advice. I do hope that next time the job report will be taken into account.

In the meantime, I’m happy to read both meters and submit them online. I am significantly over 65, but I’m sure there are many more deserving cases than mine.

Okay @GrandpaG, keep us posted with what progresses if you can!

Would love to see this resolved for you. 

My electric meter is  located approx. 35 meters away from the property it supplies, will a smart meter work 

Howdy @B.M. !

If you’re Electric Only then yup, you’re definitely good to go. The IHD might struggle but the electric meter itself should be fine.

If you’re Dual-Fuel then there are magic tricks like Dual-Band Comms Hubs which can easily cover that distance like it’s nothing. Those will be deployed if needed to help with the gas meter and IHD.

Hi @B.M. , it’s not the distance from a property that’s key to this but the signal in your area. 
Will there be a meter for both fuels or just one?