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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
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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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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
December 22, 2022

Hey @I_Need_Power !

This might be possible via the Alt HAN solution. :)

There’s also a chance that Dual-Band Comms Hubs might work. The engineer will assess your environment and make a decision for you as to what’s best.

You’ll definitely get the meter either way. If they can get the display to work, they will.

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    Rank 2
    Robert44
    Rank 2
    July 9, 2024

    Anyone experience of OVO Fieldforce. Do they offer Dual Band Comms for Smart meters in blocks of flats and Alt-Han equipmemt ?

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 9, 2024

    Howdy @Robert44 !

    This response was posted by a Forum Volunteer

    As it just so happens, we do indeed know OVO Field Force pretty well. So much so, there’s actually an OVO Engineer who patrols the Forum from time to time.

    We can confirm that OVO does supply and install Dual-Band Comms Hubs and Alt-HAN kit for Smart Meter installs that require them. Which one you get is at the discretion of the installing Engineer but they will run checks to see which options are most suitable and deploy the one that best suits your needs.

    There is NO extra charge to you if any of these get deployed for your install.

    Hope this helps!

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      Robert44
      Rank 2
      July 9, 2024

      Thanks Blastoise186.

      Are all installers from OVO or do they outsource and are they any good ?

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      July 9, 2024

      OVO uses a mix of both their own engineers and a few from a company called SMS - it all depends on availability.

      In my own experience, the OVO Engineer I had back in 2021 was amazing - he even asked ME a bunch of curious questions once he realised I was a Forum Volunteer here. :D

      I’m really sorry, but I can’t speak from experience about SMS as I’ve never met any of their engineers.

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      Robert44
      Rank 2
      July 9, 2024

      Thanks. I tried to contact OVO and talk to an enginner but they would not allow this. Eventually they advised that OVO field force was given the booking.

      I also got on another smartmeter enquiry reply from OVO Customer Service sent by SMS plc so I guess there must be a tie up somewhere.  Anyhow SMS answered a number of technical queries and I even asked OVO to send SMS to do the installation but no assurance was given.

      I have requested a conversation with OVO Fieldforce prior to fitting but again no assurances from OVO that this will happen. The issue is I live in a block of flats on the second floor. The meter room is on the ground floor with diagonal distance 13m between the floors. There are two thick sandstone ceilings and one thick santstone wall. Hence my request to speak to an installer to see if the smartmeter will talk to the IHD.

       

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      July 9, 2024

      I see.

      Howdy @Lukepeniket_OVO , got a sec?

      I THINK I’m right in saying DBCH will probably do the trick, but I think Luke will know for sure.

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      OVO Staff
      Lukepeniket_OVO
      OVO Engineer
      July 10, 2024

      Hello,

       

      Through 2 storeys i doubt the DBCH will work but im sure Alt Han will depending what you electric meter install looks like. Although currently we arent installing AltHan due to manufacturing issues =[

       

       

      OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
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        Rank 2
        Robert44
        Rank 2
        July 10, 2024

        Thanks. Sketch attached. I thought DBCH was developed for these situations

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        July 10, 2024

        Gotcha. DBCH has a longer range than standard Comms Hubs, but as Luke mentioned it doesn’t have unlimited range - that’s why AltHAN also exists because it can do even longer range than a DBCH.

        Luke has managed triple the distance before with a DBCH compared to Standard but it’s not 100% guaranteed to work in all cases. Based on the sketch, I’d agree with Luke that AltHAN is probably the safer bet once it becomes available again.

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