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ccooky98
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March 5, 2019
Solved

New IHD showing high levels of usage - is this right?

  • March 5, 2019
  • 110 replies
  • 8678 views



Hi, I had my smart meters installed yesterday lunchtime, this morning my IHD tells me I used a combined gas and electric totalling over £25!! there is no way this is correct. My daughter had a shower this evening for 5 minutes and the electric cost went up on the IHD by £5.....anyone else having these unusual readings? its worrying me as my bill is going to be massive!
    Best answer by jewelie

    Updated on 23/10/25 by Ben_OVO

     

    Sorry for the inaccurate usage costs you’re seeing on your In-Home Display (IHD).

     

    With a smart meter the tariff information showing on the device should match the rates showing on the ‘plan details’ page of your online account or app. If the tariff figures loaded on your device aren’t correct, it may appear that your usage costs are far higher than they should be - reach out to our Support Team to get that corrected. You can find out how to see your plan details using this guide:

     

     

    It is worth bearing in mind the following: 

     

    Usage costs on your IHD may not 100% match your daily charges

     

    If the unit rates loaded on to your device are not accurate the daily costs shown here will not match what you are actually charged. For this reason we’d always advise checking the actual usage charges on the ‘Billing’ page of your online account or app. You can find out how to use the Usage pages using this guide:

     

     

    No increase in costs due to a smart meter:


    Having a smart meter installed won't directly increase your costs. There are no hidden effects on usage, and your tariff won't change. 

     

    Your meter will be accurate:

     

    The meter will clock accurately. Old meters (this does depend on how old your previous meter was) can slow down, or even speed up meaning they're not measuring your energy usage correctly. We'd only expect to see this with very old meters. A brand new meter, smart or otherwise, will clock what you're using accurately.

     

    IHD user guides can be found here:

     

     

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

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

     

    110 replies

    Show previous replies
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    November 29, 2022

    I see. It’s unlikely to be a meter fault. It could be that something in your house is using electricity randomly. Let me see if @Jeffus @juliamc and @nealmurphy are around. They’re really good at helping you figure this out.

    While you wait, is there anything in your house that you can think of which might be using electricity in that pattern?

    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!
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    November 29, 2022

    Hey @emiejay259421,

     

    Just to re-assure you, you aren’t billed based on information from the In Home Display, you are billed based on meter readings from your smart meter itself. 

     

    Are you set to half hourly readings? If so, can you please send us a screenshot of your usage page and meter readings on the Online Account?

     

    If not- I’d advise requesting to go onto half hourly readings, that was you can make the most of the Energy Tracker feature and pin point exactly when you are using energy.

     

     

    Hope this helps. 

    Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    November 29, 2022

    It could be your fridge or freezer switching on and off.

    1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
      W
      Newcomer
      Woopwoopive1
      Newcomer
      March 13, 2023

      Hi can someone please tell me why smart meter saying I’m using gas per hour when it’s switched off ! Thanks 

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      March 13, 2023

      Hi,

      Gas usage is not reported on the IHD in real-time. It instead shows snapshots based on the last hour or so and will show usage even when you’re using nothing right now.

      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!
        P
        Newcomer
        Patsi
        Newcomer
        September 19, 2024

        I had my smart meter fitted in 11.2022 i think this means i am smart meter 2 series. In the morning or evening after boiling the kettle the dial on my smart meter stays high it alway came down straight away i switch it off at the wall to reboot it. Do you think its faulty?

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        September 19, 2024

        Nope! It just needs a minute to catch up. This is not a fault. 

        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
        September 19, 2024

        Hey @Patsi, 

         

        With you in home display will it change and go back down after a period of time? As @Blastoise186 has pointed out it can take a little time to update. 

         

        Let us know how it goes 😊

        Renewable energy jokes never get old.
        S
        Newcomer
        stellio69
        Newcomer
        July 14, 2025

        My IHD is occasionally showing that I am using a high amount of electricity when I’m using the bare minimum eg cooling fan and TV on standby. I’d expect that when using ‘greedy’ items like my washing machine and tumble dryer. I’ve noticed this happening mostly in the afternoons. The arrow stays in the red or amber for a few minutes before lowering back to green.

        Is this common? Thanks in advance.

        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        July 14, 2025

        Hi ​@stellio69 , a few Q’s

        Which IHD are you using? (A picture can help if you’re not sure).

        Has the response that you’re seeing changed recently or is it a new trend?

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
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