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Smart Meter - domestic economy to fixed tariff, no way back to peak off-peak tariff?

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We had a smart meter installed Aug 24 and at the same time moved from the THTC tariff to the standard variable dual rate tariff (replaced storage htrs with air source heating). I spoke with customer services last week to understand what tariffs were available to us and it looks like we'd be cheaper on one of the fixed tariffs. The service advisor explained that we'd need to be very sure about moving to a single rate fixed tariff from the dual rate tariff as we wouldn't be able to move back to another dual rate tariff. 

Can't these new smart meters move between single and dual rate tariffs simply by remote configuration? Thanks 👍

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Firedog
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Infiltrator wrote:

Can't these new smart meters move between single and dual rate tariffs simply by remote configuration? 
 

Apparently not. Once configured for single-rate, there’s no going back, they say. This is not a limitation of the meter itself, but rather of OVO’s billing system, so it may change in the future.

What reason might you have for wanting to revert to an Economy plan? With no night storage heaters, it’s possible that running a water heater might be more economical at an offpeak rate, but it’s unlikely to be less expensive overall. There are other, better solutions for saving on EV charging. At the moment, I can’t think of any other potential reasons for moving to a dual-rate plan. 

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
Emmanuelle_OVO
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Thanks Firedog. 

Part of my move away from THTC was about having a normal meter setup so I had the freedom to easily move tariffs, or even suppliers, as changes occur in our ever evolving domestic electricity sector.

After being trapped in THTC for the last 40 odd years, the last thing I wanted to do was to find myself in a position where once again my options to move around are being limited by something my supplier has done!

Thanks to your reply I now understand the issue better and will be able to make a more informed decision.

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  • awills61
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I’m in a similar position. Replaced storage heaters with panel heaters as these were then on the 24 hr cheaper circuit. I have not switched yet but have been recording detailed figures to try and compare E10 with single rate (both variable and fixed). Based on when I started in October with a fixed rate that was available then it seems for me that single rate fixed will be the cheapest for me. I will have to get a timer installed so that the hot water can be controlled. Of course once I’ve picked and switched I will never know that I am still getting a chearpe deal than E10 but at least I will have the option to move to other suppliers. Ecotricity have a good fixed rate deal at the moment.

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  • Emmanuelle_OVO
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Emmanuelle_OVO
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Hey ​@awills61 & ​@Infiltrator 

Welcome to the OVO Online Community,


I can see some really helpful advice has already been given here. I just wanted to add the following:

 

Unfortunately, we don't currently have the functionality to change Smart Meters from Single Rate to Economy 7, or vice versa. This is something we are looking to make possible in the future and we’ll keep you posted with any further updates here on the Forum!

 

Economy 7 to Single Rate 

 

Although we're unable to physically change the functionality of meters right now. We can offer an Economy 7 to Single Rate plan! This means you’ll be paying the same rate for each register.

 

If this is something you’re interested in, please get in touch with our Support Team.
 

Single Rate to Economy 7 

 

At the moment as it stands, there's no way for customers who wish to switch their Smart Meters from Single Rate to Economy 7. 

 

The following topics might be helpful to you:

 


 

Update on RTS shutdown:

 

As part of the RTS Project development, we are really happy to share with you our progress:

 

As you may be aware, the RTS signal that instructs some of our meters when to move to the “Off Peak Period”  will be closing down soon and we need to arrange for all of our RTS customers to have a meter exchange so they don’t lose any of their meter functionality.

 

The RTS signal will end for our customers on 30 June 2025. The period between 1 July - 30 September 2025 will then be used to close-down the RTS signal and allow us to manage any unexpected customers impacted.

 

After a very successful pilot, from the 17th June 2024 we will begin writing to our Economy 10 RTS customers to invite them to call us to arrange for their meter exchange. 

 

We are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers and our aim is to begin writing to these customers in Aug 2024. 

 

We will continue to update you on our progress.

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.

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