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Damaris238
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June 8, 2017
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Smart meter in block of flats - Is it possible to have one fitted?

  • June 8, 2017
  • 52 replies
  • 58364 views

I've just switched to OVO and was told that we could have a smart meter installed, but since then I haven't heard anything further. I am concerned because our meter isn't in our flat, it is in a communal cupboard to which I don't have access. I'm worried I won't be able to read the meter regularly if we can't get a smart meter. Has anyone had experience of this?

Best answer by

Updated on 13/05/26 by Chris_OVO

 

You can check whether a smart meter appointment is possible by heading to your online account or app. You can find out how to do this in this guide:

 

 

You may be advised that the booking isn’t possible at the moment. If you live in a block of flats check out the advice below which might help explain why we’re not able to offer this (please note that living in a block of flats doesn’t mean you won’t be able to have a smart meter).

 

 

Why are smart meters in blocks of flats sometimes an issue?

 

In order for a Smart meter to send us readings it needs to be installed in a place where it’s able to get a signal.

If you live in an area where S2 Smart meters use mobile phone signal to send the readings, the meters would need to be installed in a place where there’s a mobile phone signal. Check out the table below to see which areas this would affect:

 

North - Meter Point Administration Numbers (MPANs) starting 15, 16, 17, 18, 23 South - MPANs 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22
Uses radio signal - doesn’t depend on mobile signal strength Uses mobile signal

 

For this reason, we wouldn't normally recommend having smart meters installed in communal cupboards or basements, in areas which use a mobile signal.  If the meter cupboard doesn’t have strong enough signal this can lead to smart meter communication issues.

 

The other issue with blocks of flats is that, sometimes, our engineer won’t be able to replace the meter without cutting power to other flats. This is something you can check with the landlord or facilities management company before making the appointment. You can find out more about this here:

 

 

 

What if the meters aren’t in the same place?

 

This can also cause some issues for flat-dwelling smart meters. As the gas meter needs to be within range of the communications hub (which is attached to the electricity meter) it may not be able to communicate with us if the meters are too far apart. We wouldn't currently advise booking a dual smart meter installation if the meters are on different floors within a block of flats.
 

 

If I’m not affected by the issues above can I get an installation booked?

 

Of course! Click here to book today - just make sure you’re able to get access to the meter cupboard on the day of the installation.

 

 

Will the In Home Display work if the smart meter isn’t in my flat?

 

The In Home Display (IHD) needs to be near the electricity meter, which houses the communications hub, connecting devices to the smart meter via the Home Area Network (HAN). So if your flat isn’t right next to your meter, your IHD may not work. However, we do now have specialist kit that can improve the signal in these instances, so it may also be possible to set up the IHD.

 

The smart meter itself will still be able to send us your readings even if the IHD isn’t possible, which gives you access to some great usage graphs on your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS):

 

 

 

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

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

52 replies

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Traxk
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October 10, 2022

Hi @Blastoise186, just updated! 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
October 10, 2022

Thanks!

Ok, so this gets a bit fun.

If you KNOW you have a Smart Meter, it’ll be that big giant Secure one with the numeric keypad.

Otherwise, it’ll be the black one that at the time of your photo had the following data:

Meter Serial Number: S85G 03064

Low Reading: 60344

Normal Reading: 71572

Please bear in mind that this answer was adapted and customised specifically for @Traxk . It may not be accurate for anyone else.

I would recommend checking your online account though to make sure you can tell which meter to check. You’ll find the Meter Serial Number at https://account.ovoenergy.com/plan

Simply match that up with whatever is on the front of the meters.

Also, if that ancient Normal/Low one is yours, please consider upgrading to Smart Meters as that meter is running out of service life.

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!
    T
    Rank 2
    Traxk
    Rank 2
    October 10, 2022

    Thanks!

    Ok, so this gets a bit fun.

    If you KNOW you have a Smart Meter, it’ll be that big giant Secure one with the numeric keypad.

     

    I'm not sure if there's a smart meter. There's nothing in my upstairs flat apart from an IHD. 

    I have tried talking to the supplier. Sometimes they say they're taking the reading automatically but other times they've wrote asking for a meter reading.

    Neither property is mine, so I can't upgrade. 

    Trying to avoid calling as it's a 30 minute wait some mornings!!

    Thanks very much for your help 

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    October 10, 2022

    An IHD huh? Can you  show it me please?

    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!
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    October 10, 2022

    Also, who is the supplier?

    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!
    T
    Rank 2
    Traxk
    Rank 2
    October 10, 2022

    Also, who is the supplier?

    @Blastoise186

    The IHD is an identical model to this: https://community.scottishpower.co.uk/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/138i927A42B5B1118E53/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999

    This is not my IHD. 

    My supplier is British Gas. Sorry to be cheeky, if it needs to be OVO here. 

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      October 10, 2022

      No worries. Thanks for the info.

      Just a note on the forum rules to reassure you. You are more than welcome to ask us for advice even if you’re not supplied by OVO. :)

      The forum is open to everyone regardless of supplier and there’s no obligation to switch to OVO at all, nor do you owe anyone a penny for advice given here. It’s completely free of charge and you can just walk away when you’re done. Or stick around and help out if you’d like to!

      If you decide to switch to OVO anyway, I won’t get any commission or kickback out of it. Which is great because it keeps me neutral and independent (but yes, I am an OVO customer myself).

      I think that IHD is a Chameleon IHD2 by the looks of things, but it might be an early Chameleon IHD3-TS which we actually don’t see very often!

      It would suggest to me that you do have Smart Meters, but there’s one way to find out for sure.

      Can you run it through this tool please? https://smartmetercheck.citizensadvice.org.uk/

      Let me know the results - and don’t worry if it doesn’t work!

      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!
        T
        Rank 2
        Traxk
        Rank 2
        October 10, 2022

        No worries. Thanks for the info.

        Just a note on the forum rules to reassure you. You are more than welcome to ask us for advice even if you’re not supplied by OVO. :)

        The forum is open to everyone regardless of supplier and there’s no obligation to switch to OVO at all, nor do you owe anyone a penny for advice given here. It’s completely free of charge and you can just walk away when you’re done. Or stick around and help out if you’d like to!

        If you decide to switch to OVO anyway, I won’t get any commission or kickback out of it. Which is great because it keeps me neutral and independent (but yes, I am an OVO customer myself).

        I think that IHD is a Chameleon IHD2 by the looks of things, but it might be an early Chameleon IHD3-TS which we actually don’t see very often!

        It would suggest to me that you do have Smart Meters, but there’s one way to find out for sure.

        Can you run it through this tool please? https://smartmetercheck.citizensadvice.org.uk/

        Let me know the results - and don’t worry if it doesn’t work!

        Thanks for the CAB link, it has confirmed that this is a smart meter. So is it pointless sending them a reading?? 

        It is indeed a Chameleon - not sure which model though, would have to check later. 

         

         

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        October 10, 2022

        You may still need to submit readings for now. That’s a SMETS1 meter which might not be compatible with British Gas until it gets migrated to DCC - the CAB Smart Meter Check tool can tell you whether it’s on DCC or not. If it is, it’ll say the meter is working in Smart Mode.

        Otherwise, you may need to switch to either OVO or Octopus to get it working again, or wait a while for British Gas to get access to it.

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        I
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        I_Need_Power
        Rank 1
        December 22, 2022

        I have booked to have a smart meter installed on 1st Feb. The fact that I am able to book an appointment tells me that I can have one. First problem solved.

        I live in a first floor flat, and the current meter is under the stairs on the ground floor. I would say, as the crow flies, you are looking at around 30 metres away,  obviously through concrete. Question is, will I be able to have a display in my flat? Not necessarily as a link from the meter directly, perhaps using the same signal I would use looking at the meter on my phone, which I understand is possible?

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        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

        OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

        OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

        OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd