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sproutygreenbean
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November 12, 2024
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Issues getting a replacement THTC Meter in Scottish Highlands

  • November 12, 2024
  • 63 replies
  • 3162 views

Hi, we are in the Scottish Highlands and have been told we cannot currently have the THTC replaced by a smart meter due to signal issues, OVO currently have no alternative so we have been left with a fuzzy answer that they may have a solution in two months time. Any body else have any additional information, my communication with OVO has been through the online chat box, although with an actual person

Best answer by Firedog

Updated on 16/04/26 by Abby_OVO

 

Sadly, there are many properties in North Britain (only 0.5%, though) that the radio signal probably won’t reach. OVO will have checked whether yours is one of them against the information they get from the DCC, who are responsible for the network. It might be a false alarm, but the only way to find out definitively is to install a smart meter and see if it connects. That isn’t a cost-effective way of operating, I’m afraid.

 

If you get a reasonable mobile phone signal at home, there’s a possibility that you could get one of the very latest dual-mode devices which can use either long-range radio or a mobile signal. They’re still being tested, but a few are out there in the wild. I’d regard those two months as perhaps 100% elastic.

 

There are other possibilities, too, so you can be sure that OVO are doing whatever they can to have your THTC system removed and a smart meter installed by next June, when the RTS signal will be turned off. 

 

 

One of our other volunteers @Blastoise186 has also written a guide on the RTS/THTC changes that you might find helpful which i’ll link below

 

I hope this helps 😊

Other users on the Forum are in similar positions, some have been able to have success since their initial post so hopefully we’ll be able to get to you too. Check out their success post below:

 

63 replies

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
January 4, 2025

For all three of you, I think it’s time I pulled out the Joker Card.

​@janie ​@CazS and ​@sproutygreenbean please bear with me while I flag this to the Forum Moderators. ​@Bradley_OVO ​@Chris_OVO you got a sec for these?

I also think it’s time to deploy the ​@Lukepeniket_OVO card. Hang in there for a bit - Luke might still be on holiday until Monday but we’ll see!

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!
    Chris_OVO
    Community Manager
    Chris_OVO
    Community Manager
    January 6, 2025

    Hey ​@Blastoise186, ​@janie, ​@CazS & ​@sproutygreenbean! 

     

    I’ve asked internally for any news or updates and i’ll come back and update the thread when I have more to share! 

    Renewable energy jokes never get old.
      Chris_OVO
      Community Manager
      Chris_OVO
      Community Manager
      January 9, 2025

      Hey ​@Blastoise186, ​@janie, ​@CazS & ​@sproutygreenbean,

       

      I asked the team if we have any updates to share and this was the response they gave below. 

       

      “If a customer is RTS and will have a single rate or E7 tariff with their smart meter install then we will be leaving the smart meter on site functioning in 'dumb mode' with a preconfigured tariff (& switch time for economy 7 if required).

       

      If a customer is RTS and will have a any of the other available tariffs with their smart meter install (Domestic Economy, E9, E10) then we would replace their meter with a heritage meter which will be configured to match their chosen tariff. This would be wired the same way as if we were installing a smart meter, and would therefore reduce 2 MPAN sites to 1 MPAN and remove the reliance on the RTS signal for off-peak switching.”

       

      The team have said however they’re still working on solutions so once they know for sure what the plans are we’ll have a complete update to share. 

       

      Hopefully this helps! 

      Renewable energy jokes never get old.
        J
        Rank 2
        janie
        Rank 2
        January 9, 2025

        ​@Chris_OVO 

        Thanks for that, if I am absolutely honest a lot of it went over my head, am not a technical person and have no idea what a heritage meter is, I requested Economy 10 tariff on PAYG for budgeting reasons so does a heritage meter do all that?

        S
        Rank 1
        sproutygreenbeanAuthor
        Rank 1
        January 9, 2025

        ​@Chris_OVO 

        Thank you for the update 😀

        Chris_OVO
        Community Manager
        Chris_OVO
        Community Manager
        January 10, 2025

        ​@Chris_OVO 

        Thanks for that, if I am absolutely honest a lot of it went over my head, am not a technical person and have no idea what a heritage meter is, I requested Economy 10 tariff on PAYG for budgeting reasons so does a heritage meter do all that?

        Hey ​@janie,

         

        From what I understand a heritage meter is an older style of meter but they come pre-programmed with the requested tariff. Hopefully we’ll have more updates shortly that’ll give a clearer understanding of what’s required. We are fortunate the team have been working closely with us and helping us with giving information to those affected. 

         

        If I hear anything further we’ll let you know! 

        Renewable energy jokes never get old.
          J
          Rank 2
          janie
          Rank 2
          January 10, 2025

          ​@Chris_OVO 

          Thanks very much, it's nice to be kept informed 

            J
            Rank 2
            janie
            Rank 2
            February 4, 2025

            ​@Firedog 

            ​@Blastoise186 

            I love your optimism and appreciate the help you give on this Forum but I copied you both in my post 30th January informing you of a 50 minute call with ovo complaints who in turn contacted the RTS team and the reply from them was "there is no solution for rts switch off in no signal areas and they will not be fitting smart meters in these areas that will not communicate back to ovo". Complaint closed with no solution. 

            Blastoise186
            Super User
            Blastoise186Super User
            Super User
            February 4, 2025

            The agent you spoke to likely doesn’t have the same access to information as we do.

            You need Squad 70 - they’re the ones who are best placed to figure this out.

            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!
            J
            Rank 2
            janie
            Rank 2
            February 4, 2025

            ​@Blastoise186 

            Apparently the agent spoke to her Manager who mentioned squad 70 but the reply came back from the RTS team,it very much ended with a "don't call us, we'll call you" which isn't very helpful at all

            Show more replies
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