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Pedromot
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May 21, 2017
Solved

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

  • May 21, 2017
  • 144 replies
  • 44486 views

My gas meter is just outside my home but the electricity meter is in a communal building about 20 metres away.


I understand that a Smart Meter works by radio, so would it work on my installation?

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 13/05/26 by Chris_OVO

 

Great question to ask for those considering a smart meter installation.

 

As your gas meter needs to be able connect via a Home-Area Network (HAN) to the smart meter communications (comms) hub, which is attached to your electricity meter, we’d only advise getting a gas smart meter installed if it’s within 18 metres of your electricity meter. If you’ve got an appointment booked and your meters are further apart, you may find that the engineer’s only able to replace your electricity meter.

 

If you already have dual smart meters installed and are having gas meter communication issues, we may be able to upgrade your comms hub to a dual band comms hub which has a slightly larger range than the standard comms hub. In order to check whether this is a option for you we’d recommend carrying out a smart meter health check for your meter type below and contacting our Support Team with the results.

 

 

 

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

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

144 replies

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B
Newcomer
B.M.
Newcomer
March 21, 2024

I would prefer smart meter for both Gas and Electric, but i was told by engineer that my electric meter was too far away from property 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
March 21, 2024

When were you told that?

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B
Newcomer
B.M.
Newcomer
March 21, 2024

It was during a visit last October to fit a smart meter, let me explain a bit more, the property is a log chalet, it was moved some years ago, although it was moved, the electric meter stayed where it was, a Mains gas supply was connected some time after.  The Electric meter is now approx. 35 meters away from Chalet

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
March 21, 2024

Based on what I know, AltHAN should still work for that. Try booking again as this is what AltHAN and DBCH are designed for.

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BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 21, 2024

I wonder if there’s another factor rather than distance from the property. You mention that the log cabin was moved, so is the meter in its own housing? Is it difficult to work on ?

Are there any other factors at your location?

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B
Newcomer
B.M.
Newcomer
March 21, 2024

Housing is sound, i suggest that the Engineer did not want to do the job, i will try again

    PalsyP
    Rank 3
    PalsyP
    Rank 3
    April 17, 2024

    Hello,

    Due to the distance between the two (10+mtr - the joys of living in a building of flats), OVO just installed the smart electric meter a few years ago due to my meter being old (place was built in 2000). However, they didn’t care about the Gas meter which was the same age…

    So, my question is this, will I ever get a smart gas meter. I mean, it is 2024, the technology should’ve improved by now, surely….. It’s the age of my gas meter that is worrying me

    Peter
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    April 17, 2024

    Hey, welcome back @PalsyP !

    Let me do some digging into this. You OK to hang in there for a bit? I need to get some advice so this may take a little time.

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    PalsyP
    Rank 3
    PalsyP
    Rank 3
    April 17, 2024

    This was a more “what happens when it gets too old” scenario, but would be interested if I can  eventually switch to a smart gas meter.

    Peter
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    April 17, 2024

    That’s what I’m finding out.

    As for the getting too old thing, the most likely issue is that the calibration will get out of line and mess up the billing - or the battery (if it has one) might die and cause the entire meter to fail.

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

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