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HairyMutley
Rank 2
Rank 2
February 26, 2025

RTS meter change stopped due to asbestos

  • February 26, 2025
  • 40 replies
  • 1108 views

Trying to get mother-in-law's meter changed in anticipation of RTS switch-off.
It started off complicated and it just seems to get worse from there on!
Not sure where I am now.

Mother-in-law has an apartment in a Churchill older peoples' building (about 30 similar apartments).

Back in September 2024 I started with a phone call to book an appointment and was immediately hit with the question of tariff. I thought that I was just booking a meter change, not realising that I would have to pick an alternative to Superdeal. Anyway, after a bit of too-ing and fro-ing it seems that dumb night storage heaters will be best suited to Economy 10 and an appointment booked.

It seemed straight forward enough, so only mother-in-law was there on the day of the appointment. However, it turns out that the OVO technician could not do the job. Mother-in-law was told that there was asbestos and it required a different team and approval from the leaseholder (Churchill) to sort that out. The OVO technician gave mother-in-law a form for the leaseholder to authorise the work. Once OVO had received the completed form, then OVO specialist team would contact to make a new appointment. Unfortunately, I never saw the form, so I do not know what it was.

The form was sent through the leaseholder. In December 2024, When we hadn't heard anything from OVO I contacted them again and was told that these jobs were being coordinated and the team would get back in touch in late January.

Today, not having heard anything for a while, I thought I better get back to OVO again. Now I am told that I have to go to our DNO (SSEN), but I don't know why, I thought that this was OVO's job.  So, I am even more confused. This isn't what I originally understood and not sure what I am supposed to know about getting SSEN to remove OVO's meter and OVO to remove SSEN's fuse and who swaps the board? Am I missing something?

If it is any help.  The building was built and the meter cupboard installed in 1992 although the meter is dated 2001. The contents are simple; an incoming supply cable to a fuse, a tail-pair to an RTS meter and 2 tail-pairs out to 2 consumer units elsewhere (one for 24 hour circuits and one for off-peak heating circuits). Image attached.

 

 

40 replies

OVO Engineer
March 4, 2025

So, we do have teams internally that should be able to do the asbestos work. Ill get a marker put on the account, itll be added to the asbestos list that we have!!

OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
HairyMutley
Rank 2
Rank 2
March 4, 2025

@Lukepeniket_OVO OK, that sounds like there is nothing that I can or should do at the moment. Thanks.

HairyMutley
Rank 2
Rank 2
March 24, 2025

How will an appointment be booked?
Will I get a direct contact from the installation team because of the asbestos.

OR

Should I be responding to a email invite from OVO? I have just received one asking me to book an appointment because “We’re getting in touch again to remind you that your electricity meter needs replacing. Its certificate has run out, so it may not be measuring your energy use accurately.”

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
March 25, 2025

I think someone will be in touch with you directly. I’ll get that checked though - bear with me.

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Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
March 25, 2025

Hey ​@HairyMutley 

 

I’ve forwarded your reply on to Luke for some further advice as it sounds like the meter you have is coming to the end of it’s certification and would be in need or a replacement soon for that reason too, regardless of the RTS situation. 

 

 

Let’s hold out and see what ​@Lukepeniket_OVO might be able to advise. 

 

I’m sorry you’re facing such a tricky situations with this.

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OVO Engineer
March 25, 2025

Hello,

 

This will be picked up via an internal ticketing system and our planners will be in contact to book in the job. We are getting some lovely new respirators to conduct asbestos work!

OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
HairyMutley
Rank 2
Rank 2
March 25, 2025

Thanks everyone for the interest and update; ​@Blastoise186 ​@Abby_OVO ​@Lukepeniket_OVO 

HairyMutley
Rank 2
Rank 2
March 27, 2025

The OVO team have been in touch and someone is coming out next Thursday to take a sample of the backboard for testing.

Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
March 28, 2025

Hey ​@HairyMutley 

 

That’s great, glad to hear they’re coming out next week!

 

Do keep us updated with how that goes.

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HairyMutley
Rank 2
Rank 2
April 7, 2025

OK, slight delay, the OVO metering team have re-scheduled the sampling for Monday 28-April.