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NickinHP
Rank 1
Rank 1
July 4, 2017
Solved

How to upgrade to a gas smart meter if I've got a large (U16) gas supply?

  • July 4, 2017
  • 21 replies
  • 6157 views
Hi,
I have a gas meter for my flat that was originally installed in the 1970s for the whole house with seven open gas fires. The house was sub-divided into four flats in the 1980s but I ended up with the original house meter for my flat.
I would like to install a smart gas meter from OVO Energy but it will not be possible as it is not a drop in replacement.
How do I first down grade to a smaller sized standard meter?
I have a gas boiler and gas hob in the flat only. The 3 gas fires are now disconnected.
Do I need to contact National Grid?
Thanks
Nick
Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 07/10/25 by Ben_OVO

 

Great news that you’re keen to get a smart meter installed - there’s some great benefits in store for you!

 

Firstly it’s worth mentioning that in order to get a smart meter you’ll need to make some changes to your set-up, as we don’t offer a smart meter for large (U16) gas supplies. There are rare instances where a U16 smart meter might be installed, however OVO will not be able to communicate with it remotely.

 

If you no longer need a U16 meter you’ll be able to downgrade to a standard U6 gas meter.

 

In order to get this process started you’ll need to arrange a gas safe engineer to carry out a maximum load test. If it’s below 64.6 kWh, a downgrade will be possible, reach out to our support team who can advise of the next steps to get this arranged and a new smart meter installed!

 

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

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

21 replies

Newcomer
November 16, 2024

While I have, this is the gas… haha. Do you know if OVO would upgrade the fuse box or is this a private matter? 

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
November 16, 2024

Umm… Yeah… Ok… I do hope you’re not pumping gas through that meter right now…?

Don’t suppose you can explain the scary huge warning sticker by any chance? XD

If you just need it replaced with a new meter, you probably don’t need U16.

The fusebox is the responsibility of yourself - you’ll need a private electrician for that. But OVO can do the meter upgrades for you.

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!
juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
November 16, 2024

Just going to throw in a suggestion here… instead of moving the gas meter etc, doing a renovation is exactly the time to think about installing a heat pump. Don’t forget there’s that gov grant of £7500 if you’re upgrading a gas boiler. Providing you use a knowledgable installer it’ll be cheaper to run than a gas boiler and you can do away with the gas meter standing charge of course. There are also schemes whereby you can borrow the money to pay for the installation at favourable rates.

Firedog
Super User
Super User
November 16, 2024

This is the meter… (I was told it may need upgrading?)
  

I can’t be certain, but if pressed, I’d say that that meter will have earned its bus pass in a couple of years’ time!

That said, it’s probably counting watt-hours just as well as it always has. You (and your supplier) just can’t be sure of that.
 

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
Newcomer
November 16, 2024

Umm… Yeah… Ok… I do hope you’re not pumping gas through that meter right now…?

Don’t suppose you can explain the scary huge warning sticker by any chance? XD

If you just need it replaced with a new meter, you probably don’t need U16.

The fusebox is the responsibility of yourself - you’ll need a private electrician for that. But OVO can do the meter upgrades for you.

Not in use, I assure you haha. Thanks for the info, very helpful in planning our upgrade! 

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
November 17, 2024

Any thoughts about getting a heat pump@HarryZM  ? Other than the one you’ll have in your fridge of course… people are told they’re newfangled technology but we’ve all been using them for years.

Newcomer
November 17, 2024

Any thoughts about getting a heat pump@HarryZM  ? Other than the one you’ll have in your fridge of course… people are told they’re newfangled technology but we’ve all been using them for years.

Considering but unsure if viable with a 19th century home that’s not in a modern state. I did a random check with EDF and got quoted just cost £6k. Know anything about someone coming round and giving info/qoute?

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
November 17, 2024

As long as you get a proper heat loss calculation done and a correctly designed system, any age of house can work with a heat pump. 

HeetGeek have an arrangement with OVO, have a look at this thread:

 

Chris_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
November 18, 2024

Hey ​@HarryZM,

 

Welcome to the community 🎊

 

We have energy savings experts that can come to your home and give you advice on improvements. Take a look at this link here it could be useful to you. It looks like you’ve had some really great advice from the community so far so please keep us updated! 

 

 

Renewable energy jokes never get old.
Newcomer
November 20, 2024

Further to these great ideas. I wanted to know if I moved my gas meter (via Cadent) will Ovo come and reconnect the meter to the boiler with pipes when I request it? (is this also free?)