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DerekH
Rank 1
September 29, 2017
Solved

Why is my overnight usage shown on my smart meter In Home Display (IHD) so high?

  • September 29, 2017
  • 87 replies
  • 110341 views

My smart meter was installed yesterday at 7.40 this morning my electric usage was 42p & gas usage was 28p. Even taking into account fridge/freezer, broadband, TV’s on standby overnight 42p electric seems high. The gas at 28p is a bigger mystery as no gas was used overnight (heating is off at the moment). Does some of the cost include a daily standing charge? Can anyone shed any light on this please?

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 24/04/26 by Chris_OVO

 

It’s worth factoring in your daily standing charges when checking the costs showing on your smart meter In Home Display (IHD) in the morning. These charges are usually added to your daily energy costs around midnight each day and will vary depending on the rates on your current plan.

 

The best place to check the standing charges which apply to your current plan is the ‘Plan’ page of your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS):
 

Exact appearance may vary

 

You can also view your smart meter usage data here too, by heading to the ‘Usage’ pages. Check out the guide below for more help with this:
 

 

 

Still worried that your overnight usage seems high with the standing charges excluded?  Bear in mind some appliances (like fridge/freezers and TVs on standby) use electricity overnight.

 

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

 

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

87 replies

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Newcomer
karenitaylor
Newcomer
January 3, 2024

My smart meter has now corrected itself about 0930 but the initial amount of £3.10 doesn’t even resemble yesterday’s usage. Have checked meter readings online & they seem to be in line with usual usage. Maybe I just need new smart meter as this one must be well over 10yrs old. 

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    January 3, 2024

    I see, an eight year old SMETS1 Elster and an SSE Smart Energy Tracker, otherwise known as the IHDL SmartView1… Hmm…

    I’d say keep an eye on it for now. If you keep having trouble, feel free to stop by again and we’ll think this one through more deeply.

     

    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!
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      January 4, 2024

      Hey @karenitaylor,

       

      If your meter is set to half hourly readings, it may be worth using the Online Account or App instead to check your usage as it’ll be more accurate:

       

       

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
        Rank 1
        Harriathan
        Rank 1
        October 1, 2024

        I just got a smart meter installed yesterday and I'm confused by spikes in usage. Yesterday after it was installed at 11, we only used 50p in total before going to bed at around 23:30, but when I got up at 8:30 this morning, it said we had already used £1.50 that day and all that had happened was my partner having a shower. Then this afternoon around 15:30, the meter spiked up from saying 2p per hour to 55p per hour and that I was using 4kwph even though I wasn't using anything. When the home was in the same standby state yesterday it said it was only using 37 wph so I'm very concerned. I've seen on Reddit that some suggest this is a water heater, but that concerns me more since we only use hot water in the morning when my partner showers and in the evening when I do the dishes. I really don't understand how these peaks are happening and how I can reduce them. Is this normal? Can I do anything about it? 

        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        October 1, 2024

        Presumably @Harriathan you are looking at the in home display (IHD) rather than the smart meter itself. The IHD can take a while to fully sync correctly after installation and it probably isn’t showing all the correct details at present. 
        Best to wait and watch just now to see that it settles and begins to show what you want to see. 
        The IHD doesn’t affect your bill so monitor your online account once that is up and running. 

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
          Rank 1
          Harriathan
          Rank 1
          October 1, 2024

          Yes, that is correct. Thank you for clarifying, that makes a lot of sense! I'm currently waiting for my account to update to reflect the new meter has been installed, so I'll keep an eye out for that to help as well. 

          Shads_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          Shads_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          October 2, 2024

          Hi @Harriathan,

           

          It seems our forum volunteer has already given some good advice here.

           

          It can sometimes take up to 6 weeks after your meter is fitted for everything to settle down. 

           

          This thread may also be helpful:

           

           

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