Storage Heater not working after Smart Meter installed

Not yet. The RTS switch-off has been delayed again: Extension granted for RTS switch-off deadline “… agreement has now been reached that ensures the RTS service will continue into 2025.” Affected customers will allegedly be informed ahead of any change. 

It’s not far off in complexity.

I think we all know that there is a shortage of adequately trained engineers in several fields. Installing smart meters is one; installing heat pumps is another. But I’m not sure you’re being completely fair in your criticism. Of the 30 million or so smart meter installations that have taken place over the past decade, a tiny minority will not have gone flawlessly. When it comes to installing something as sophisticated as a remotely-controlled electronic metering system, perhaps in a property whose wiring is both eccentric and archaic, it’s not surprising that not everything goes smoothly. I’m sure the installers conduct all the tests they’re required to before leaving the property, but some things - like whether a software-controlled time switch actually turns on when it’s expected to - may have to come down to a suck-it-and-see test. Remember all those computer systems that no-one could predict what would happen to when we moved from one millennium to the next?

There are some rare faults that are well-known, often with known remedies. Sadly, we can’t expect every customer service agent to recognize them when a user complains. Yes, there should be procedures in place to ensure that an appropriate expert is involved in this sort of case, and this will usually happen eventually. But all too often we hear that an engineer has been dispatched to fix something that can only be fixed by a remote controller who knows what he’s doing. 

It may not be rocket science, but it’s not always simple and straightforward.

Hi @Ellcvee , can you post a photo of your meter and cables please? That might help to get some information for you

@Firedog I do not know if I have a plan page.  I clicked on your link and did not see any information as I am PAYG.  I just showed metre guide and app details etc

@BPLightlog Wow I kinda know what your saying.  I OVO engineer did mention something about it) read in the Forums about something being done remotely/command to be sent from ?????  but the OVO engineer seemed so confident that everything was ok as the wires were ‘live’ 😕

@BPLightlog and @Firedog THANK YOU so much.  I will ring them.

@Firedog I have been using the boost.  I try to leave it on for no more than 2hrs.  Its rubbish.  It can not even fill 1/3 of a bath etc.

I have called OVO customer service and although they did not know quite what I was talking about they were very kind and found out who could help etc.  I will check tonight and Weds night to see if the off peak comes on and take a photo of the metre as well.  He said it could take 24hrs to set up but I am extremely grateful for the information you all gave me because it help me explain so much better than I could have without it. (+ @BPLightlog )

Hey @Ellcvee 

Sorry to hear you’ve been having some issues here, but by the sounds of things our volunteers have hopefully helped you find the fix you need for this. I’m glad the team were able to fins someone to help with this in the end.

Keep us update with how you get on with this and if the off peak begins to work correctly again.

It looks like you’re all up and running now, @Ellcvee - brilliant news 😊

One last question: what time did you take the latest photo of the meter? I hope it was sometime between midnight and 07:00 (depending on where you live).

I don’t remember seeing a similar result of ECAUL, but that may be because of the way your offpeak stuff is wired up. We’ve seen cases where the auxiliary contact is labelled either LC1 or LC2, depending on the wiring, but not both, so it’s another string to our bow! You’ll see this in the bottom right-hand corner of the display, where
            ı
      o¯o
  
indicates that switch no. 1 is closed as it should be all the time - this is what switches everything that isn’t offpeak on and off.

And about the hot water tank: the boost function in many tanks like this uses a separate heating element near the top of the tank, so it can quickly heat up, say, the top third if you’ve used up all the water that was heated up overnight. Hopefully you won’t have to use it now. Do keep an eye on how much electricity the tank is using, though; even though it’s insulated, it will cool down over time, so you may be heating it up again every night even though you won’t need a full tank the next day. I find that my 210 litre tank stays hot enough for two or three days’-worth of use even though it’s switched off. The third day’s bath might not be quite as luxurious, though.

Check its temperature as well. It probably comes with the thermostat set to 60ºC, which you may find is unnecessarily high. 55º is quite hot enough for most people, and those extra 5º could be expensive. It’s a balancing act, so have fun with some trial and error 😉