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ccooky98
Rank 1
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
    PeterR1947
    Newcomer
    PeterR1947
    Newcomer
    September 20, 2019
    Tom, it can take two weeks or more before your meter is properly connected and providing the correct readings, there’s a complex process to go through which you can have a link to if you wish.

    Peter
    PeterR
    Amy_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Amy_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    September 20, 2019
    I've moved your post here, @tom.clements, there is plenty of handy information in the above thread. @PeterR1947 has hit the nail on the head, the meter and IHD needs a bit of time to fully sync up.

    Thanks!
    OVO-Joyed to help!
    buzzhunter
    Newcomer
    buzzhunter
    Newcomer
    January 28, 2020

    Hello. This morning our Home Display gizmo showed a consumption of £2.36 combined energies. Normally this would be around 60p. 

     

    We always turn the heating off at night, usually around 8pm., and this morning we hadn’t turned it on again before we saw that reading. 

    The electricity consumption was low but the gas was apparently over £2 ‘s worth.

    Looks like our Smart Meter or Display unit has had a nervous breakdown.

    Advice please. Thanks.

    Buzz
    Amy_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Amy_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    January 28, 2020

    I’ve moved your post here, @buzzhunter, check out the best answer, this issue should right itself in the near future. 

    Thanks! 

    OVO-Joyed to help!
      buzzhunter
      Newcomer
      buzzhunter
      Newcomer
      January 28, 2020

      I should add that we’ve had a smart meter and the home display unit for over a year now. It’s not new.

      Buzz
      Amy_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Amy_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      January 28, 2020

      Ahhh OK, in that case the above might not apply. These threads here and here may offer more advice. 

      OVO-Joyed to help!
        S
        Newcomer
        Speedbird1
        Newcomer
        March 17, 2020

        I’ve read loads and loads of other posts about this issue, I’ve just been upped to SMETS 2 gas and electricity and the readings are a mile out on the IHD.

        Previously had SMETS 1 with electricity only and that was accurate.

        I can’t seem to find any resolution in these posts, the most recent being about a month ago that i can see.

        Has anything happened recently to fix this or os there an answer to this somewhere else.

        I want to transfer to another supplier but guess if the readings on the IHD are incorrect they won't touch me.

        Any light on this guys?

        Thank you

        Transparent
        Rank 20
        Transparent
        Rank 20
        March 18, 2020

        Hi @Speedbird1  With an ID like that I assume you work for BA?

        If you’ve only just had SMETS2 meters fitted, then your IHD won’t yet be able to pick up your correct tariff information. That arrives right at the end of the off-site commissioning process. 

        Save energy... recycle electrons!
        S
        Newcomer
        Speedbird1
        Newcomer
        March 18, 2020

        Hi @Transparent thank you for that.

        I have just spent a very informative hour reading all your previous posts regarding this. It was most helpful and calming as i was concerned that my ‘new’ system was faulty. It’s only been in 4 days so i’ll give it more time.

        You know the connection with Speedbird and BA as well.

        Thank you

        Transparent
        Rank 20
        Transparent
        Rank 20
        March 18, 2020

        Ah… and one of the Moderators has moved our discussion onto the relevant thread!

        @Speedbird1 since your SMETS2 meters are new, you might want to also have a look through this longer Topic about Smart Meter Installation. That’s were I and several others have posted stuff which we learned after ours were first installed.

        Yes, I know the BA connection because I have a relative who works for them. It could be a very different global transport system which emerges from the aftermath of Covid-19 and Brexit.

        Save energy... recycle electrons!
        Show more replies
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