I keep getting invitations to book a smart meter when I've already refused?

Hi @harryfleming13 ,

That depends. Please show us photos of your current meters in your next reply and I’ll be able to advise. I’ll use these to identify any reasons why you’re getting those letters and what your options - if any - are.

Please bear in mind however, you can’t totally opt-out altogether but I’ll give you the advice you need once I know what you’ve currently got.

I have sent you 3 images showing Landis and Gyr E150, solar PV system, primary Wylex fuse box, slightly more moden secondary off-peak fuse box shown as white box on the lower right.

I see. I’m afraid you can’t opt-out in this case. The meter you already have is over 10 years old and has reached the end of its service life. The only solution is to replace it - please contact OVO on 0330 303 5063. This is the most likely reason you’re getting those letters. Opt-outs can’t be set for cases where Recertification is required - they only disable the marketing while the existing meter still has time left on the clock. Your meter is at time to replace anyway, so you’ll need to talk to OVO about your options.

Additionally, you should probably consider getting that black fusebox replaced by a qualified electrician as well. Bakelite fuses are no longer recommended especially if you’ve got Solar.

I’d say get that done first and then do the meters afterwards.

The trouble is that the meter was replaced by OVO engineers  8 or 9 years ago they wired out my off-peak fuse box and I was left with no storage heaters or immersion heater for months. I had eventually to write to the then CEO who appointed an assistant called James to try and sort out the mess. I had a dual tariff induction meter coupled with a radio teleswitch and because the wylex box was only 80 amp it was fitted with a secondary 100 amp fuse box for off-peak devices. I  had to educate OVO back then about radio teleswitches and about the proper wiring of the E150 to include a separate off-peak fuse box.  I’m sure some of the customer services thought I was one of those people wearing tin foil on my head because the BBC was controlling my life.  I also see from the forum that some members are complaining that their off-peak devices don’t work after installation of a smart meter. So you will understand my reluctance to have OVO engineers operating on my system. Last time it took an old school engineer from NW energy to correctly wire my system. My current fuse box that you think should be replaced has been inspected by Fusion Electrical and is perfectly legal, safe and I have been advised that replacement with the modern equivalent would possibly require a complete house rewire as well as the fitting of a new box. I have B.Sc. in electrical engineering and an M.Phi.l in energy conservation heat pumps. I’m 78 and really dont want the hassle again.

So any other suggestions

I’ve just researched Landis and Gyr meters and find that they generally have a lifetime of 20+ years. My current meter was installed by yourselves 8 or 9 years ago so how come its beyond its sell by date ?

20 years is the absolute limit, but they are replaced every 10 years to maintain accuracy and refresh the hardware.

If you’re on RTS right now, then you definitely can’t stay on that for much longer. RTS Services are closing down anyway within the next year or two, so you’d have to swap the meter or risk potentially not having properly working heating/hot water.

I understand that RTS is closing down, the BBC have run out of the power diodes they use to power it.

You can see quite clearly the RTS was removed when the induction meter was replaced with the Landis and Gyr E150 which has its own internal clock. I no longer have an immersion heater having gas central heating and hot water. I have 2 legacy storage heaters in rooms that don't have radiators but I could manage without those or replace them with Central heating radiators at 25% the cost of the improvements you have suggested.