Most smart meters will soon start sending readings every 30 minutes as standard. If yours doesn't already, it will switch to half-hourly readings in 7 to 10 days.
I have never had a smart meter keep an eye on my meter readings, I only have the one in near my electric consumer box that I take meter reading from, do you supply smart meters.
Best answer by Nukecad
Hi
Thanks for the photo, that explains the "can't install yet" message.
That is a SMETS1 smart meter, ie. an older type of smart meter, it's a 2017 model so is about 8 or 9 years old.
The white box on top with LEDs for Power, WAN, and HAN is the Communications Hub.
The WAN should be flashing regularly if it is connecting and communicating properly.
Quick video that shows it flashing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_AZ_mj9EE&ab_channel=FixItWithFusco
If the WAN LED is flashing then the meter is communicating smartly, do you have an In Home Device display for it? It may be stuffed somewhere at the back of a drawer or cupboard.
However if it isn’t flashing then you (or a previous owner/tenant) have changed suppliers since it was installed then it may have become 'dumb' and no longer be communicating.
You will have to send in manual readings, see that video above.
There was/is a system in place to update those old meters to become smart again, it's done remotely with no need for an engineer to visit.
However they cannot all be updated in that way, in which case they will eventually be swapped out for a new SMETS2 meter.
I had one like that for a few years and so had to send in readings.
SSE wouldn't change it because of that ongoing update thing, and it was only a year or two later (after I was transferred to OVO) that I got a new one fitted.
You could try contacting support and asking for it to be changed to a SMETS2 smart meter, but they may be reluctant to do that yet if it is still functioning as a dumb meter, even though it's not communicating it's still working and you can send in readings.
The good news there is that meters normally get exchanged every 10 years or so, and you will be due for a new SMETS2 meter soon anyway.
EDIT - Just checking a bit more and the OVO information page on the Secure Liberty 100 meter says that it should have been remotely updated already if it could have been, so they may just swap it out for you regardless if/when you ask:
https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/secure-liberty-100-smart-meter-guide
Is the Secure Liberty 100 an SMETS2 meter?
No – it’s actually an SMETS1, which means it’s part of the first generation of smart meters. SMETS2 is the next generation, and the current industry standard.
But good news: all SMETS1 smart meters have now been upgraded remotely so they work like SMETS2s. That means your Secure Liberty 100 is compatible with all energy suppliers, and will keep working even if you switch.
+1Hi
If you don’t have a Smart Meter yet and you’re with OVO you can get one for free. Just head over to https://smart-booking.ovoenergy.com to review your options. If you’re with another supplier, please chat with their customer service as this link only works for OVO customers.
Please show us photos of your current meter and we can check what you’ve got.
This is what it is saying on the page to that link,
We check multiple criteria to make sure we successfully install your new smart meters on the day. Your account does not pass our eligibility check right now. Eligibility can change so please come back to try again soon.
Not sure what that means I’ve been with OVO for 4 years.
+1I see, might be you’ve already got them as that can trigger this message.
Mind showing me photos of your current meters for a sec?
Hi
Thanks for the photo, that explains the "can't install yet" message.
That is a SMETS1 smart meter, ie. an older type of smart meter, it's a 2017 model so is about 8 or 9 years old.
The white box on top with LEDs for Power, WAN, and HAN is the Communications Hub.
The WAN should be flashing regularly if it is connecting and communicating properly.
Quick video that shows it flashing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_AZ_mj9EE&ab_channel=FixItWithFusco
If the WAN LED is flashing then the meter is communicating smartly, do you have an In Home Device display for it? It may be stuffed somewhere at the back of a drawer or cupboard.
However if it isn’t flashing then you (or a previous owner/tenant) have changed suppliers since it was installed then it may have become 'dumb' and no longer be communicating.
You will have to send in manual readings, see that video above.
There was/is a system in place to update those old meters to become smart again, it's done remotely with no need for an engineer to visit.
However they cannot all be updated in that way, in which case they will eventually be swapped out for a new SMETS2 meter.
I had one like that for a few years and so had to send in readings.
SSE wouldn't change it because of that ongoing update thing, and it was only a year or two later (after I was transferred to OVO) that I got a new one fitted.
You could try contacting support and asking for it to be changed to a SMETS2 smart meter, but they may be reluctant to do that yet if it is still functioning as a dumb meter, even though it's not communicating it's still working and you can send in readings.
The good news there is that meters normally get exchanged every 10 years or so, and you will be due for a new SMETS2 meter soon anyway.
EDIT - Just checking a bit more and the OVO information page on the Secure Liberty 100 meter says that it should have been remotely updated already if it could have been, so they may just swap it out for you regardless if/when you ask:
https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/secure-liberty-100-smart-meter-guide
Is the Secure Liberty 100 an SMETS2 meter?
No – it’s actually an SMETS1, which means it’s part of the first generation of smart meters. SMETS2 is the next generation, and the current industry standard.
But good news: all SMETS1 smart meters have now been upgraded remotely so they work like SMETS2s. That means your Secure Liberty 100 is compatible with all energy suppliers, and will keep working even if you switch.
Thanks for your input guys I have a fixed term deal with Ovo who are asking my to reduce my payments so not that concerned so I’ll just keep an eye on my bills as hopefully weve seen the worst of the freezing cold weather.
+1If you think the meter is dead though, try https://smart-meter-help.ovoenergy.com which can diagnose it pretty rapidly.
Hi
Thanks for your post, and some really helpful replies here from
The meter in your photo is a Secure ‘Smets1’ smart meter. It’s of an older style, however it should be functioning in the same way as a ‘Smets2’ meter now due to an Industry upgrade process called ‘Enrollment and Adoption’. This is basically a remote upgrade of older style meters that means they’ll communicate and send readings via the same process as the newer smart meters, and so will work as smart meters with all Energy Suppliers in the UK.
The fact you already have a smart meter in place is why you’re unable to book an appointment for a smart meter installation. There’s some helpful information on manually reading your type of meter in this post:
It's most likely that your current meters have been enrolled, and are sending your readings to us automatically. The best way to check this is via your online account / app. Click on ‘Meter Readings’ then ‘View reading history’. You’ll then see all readings and, if they’ve been sent by the smart meter, they’ll be labelled as ‘Smart’. I’ve included a screenshot of my own smart reads so you know what you’ll be looking for.
If your reading history only shows estimates, then it may be that your smart meter isn’t communicating. In this scenario, a ‘Smart Meter Health Check’ will need to be performed (see the below post) and the results sent in to our Support Team.
I hope this helps! 😁
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