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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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J
Rank 2
janie
Rank 2
March 6, 2025

​@Blastoise186 

Thanks for your reply, I will try and get through to squad 70/RTS team to see if they can shed more light on it before I commit.  I could not handle another failed installation. 

J
Rank 2
janie
Rank 2
March 6, 2025

​@Blastoise186

Just a quick update, apparently that was just a generated email and it's been confirmed there is no solution as yet to no signal areas like mine, told to ignore any further generated emails and when there is a solution I will be contacted probably by other means.

    Chris_OVO
    Community Manager
    Chris_OVO
    Community Manager
    March 6, 2025

    Hey ​@janie,

     

    Thanks for coming back and confirming for us. I know there’s currently a campaign to raise awareness of THTC/RTS replacements. I know once the solution is ready to communicate we have a list of those who have existing failed installations. I believe the plan is to outbound call and follow up with an email but if I hear anymore i’ll let you know!

    Renewable energy jokes never get old.
      J
      Rank 2
      janie
      Rank 2
      March 6, 2025

      ​@Chris_OVO 

      Thank you 

        C
        Newcomer
        cullywully
        Newcomer
        March 23, 2025

        I live in the West Coast of Scotland near Oban and have heard horror stories from folk living in my area regarding the new smart meters not receiving  a signal, engineers refusing to install as meters too far away from distribution panel, and many others on the THTC forum on Facebook . I have the old style dimplex storage heaters and hot water storage and cannot afford to replace them. They all work perfectly well for my purposes.

        I don't want to let OVO near my meters until they can guarantee a working smart meter.

        But the day will come and I need to know exactly which questions  to ask the OVO engineer before he removes my two thtc meters.

        Can anyone suggest what questions  to ask as I have little understanding of electrics...such as will I be guaranteed economy 10?

        and secondly, what are the consequences if I refuse a so called smart meter. Will I be cut off?

        N
        Newcomer
        nrg
        Newcomer
        August 17, 2025

        Why can’t I get a smart meter? The response from the booking process is not very informative. How can I find out what makes my account ineligible. My understanding is that it’s a requirement that Ovo make smart meters available.

         

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        August 17, 2025

        Hi ​@nrg ,

        Please ask OVO Support for this one!

        If you could show us your current meters for now, that would help a ton.

        Thanks

        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!
        N
        Newcomer
        nrg
        Newcomer
        August 18, 2025

        Thanks for your response ​@Blastoise186 . Here are some pictures of the existing meter.

         

        N
        Newcomer
        nrg
        Newcomer
        August 18, 2025

        I’ve spoken to customer support. The responses have not been very helpful. I live in the Scottish Highlands and that was given as the reason. I’ve asked what the rollout plan is but just received obfuscation and nonsense, including being told that the distance from the meter to the router may be an issue.

         

        Updated: After quite a lot of pressing Ovo are going to take some practical steps to see if we can get a smart meter, but still can’t say what the timescales are if we can’t have one now.

        Chris_OVO
        Community Manager
        Chris_OVO
        Community Manager
        August 18, 2025

        Hey ​@nrg, 

         

        If you live in the highlands, then you could be affected by the RTS shutdown. When you spoke with the support team, did they mention this while on the call? I've left some articles below with more information, which could be helpful:

         

        The distance from your meter to the router could be an issue, as they need to be able to communicate with each other. We've a process that's currently being rolled out called an Alt-Han bridge, and one of our members ​, @Biohazardx9, who was in this position, wrote a handy guide on what this looks like below:

         

        We'll soon be able to install a smart meter for you, so please keep us updated on your progress! 

        Renewable energy jokes never get old.
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