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Updated on 16/09/24 by Shads_OVO

 

A Guide to joining OVO Energy

 

Pick a Plan and start the switch - where it all begins

 

So your energy plan is coming to an end and you’re looking for a new energy supplier. Maybe a switch to OVO is right for you.

 

Decided you’re ready to join us on a journey to Plan Zero?  First place to head is our Quote and Switch site.

 

Here, you can check the prices we offer on our range of plans and get a monthly Direct Debit quote. We’d really recommend finding out your annual usage figures from your current supplier and adding these under Do you know how much energy you use?

 

Exact appearance may vary.

 

Don’t worry if you don’t have the exact figures as we can base your quote on average usage for your size of home. Then it’s just a matter of choosing which plan suits you best. You can see more details about the unit rates and standing charges on each plan by selecting “Tariff Information Label”

 

Exact appearance may vary

 

 

We’ll just need some details, then you’re away!

 

Once you’ve chosen a plan and the date you’d like to switch, we’ll then ask for some personal details so we can set up the account in your name and get your Direct Debit arranged.

 

Next thing to look out for is your welcome email. This should land in your inbox within an hour and will have all the important details inside, such as your switching date and Direct Debit starting date. It’s also a good idea to check we’ve got your details correct. Something incorrect on the welcome email? Reach out to the Support Team, who’ll be able to put things right. If you haven’t received the email the team can also check this is on the way, (always worth a quick check of the junk email folder before getting in touch).

 

Another exciting part of the welcome email will be directions on how to login to your brand new online account. This is our online portal that will allow you to easily manage your account, with some great carbon-saving tools such as OVO Energy Tracker.

 

If you login at this point you’ll see this message,

 

Exact wording may vary

 

Switching Day or Supplier Start Date (SSD) - to give it the technical term!

 

Following the changes in the switching process, you’ve now got even greater control over the process. When you apply to join us you can pick the date your switch will take place. From the next working day up until 29 days notice, you decide. Just choose the date you’d like to join us on our Quote and Switch page.

 

Once you’ve received the welcome email, the date is set and the countdown can begin.

 

If you’re switching to us in the next 10 days we’d recommend submitting your opening meter readings as soon as the welcome pack arrives. If not, we’ll get in touch to remind you closer to the time. Even if you have smart meters we recommend taking the readings yourself, you can then submit them on your online account.

 

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You’ll be able to submit the readings here until five days after the switch date. If you haven’t managed to pop them in by this point we’ll use estimated readings to start your account, they should be fairly accurate if you’ve got a smart meter or given regular readings to your old supplier. For more information on what to do if your opening readings seem wrong, check out our guide to meter reading disputes.

 

The switch is complete!

 

We’ll start supplying your energy from the date you switch. Around four to six weeks later, we’ll have confirmed the opening readings with your previous supplier and send you your first monthly summary. Once you receive this opening summary, the switching process is fully complete!

 

The best part about completing a switch? You now have full access to your online account - login and explore!

 

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Changing your mind

 

We understand that things might not always go to plan. Even when picking a next-day switch with OVO, you’ll have a 14 day cooling off period which starts on the day you agree to the plan. In this case you’d be free to pick a different plan (either with OVO or another supplier) without any exit fees applied. If you’ve already started the new plan we’d charge you for any energy used in the meantime. We’ll check whether you’re happy with this when you sign up. If you don’t agree to this term the earliest switch date offered would be after the cooling off period ends, 15 days after you make the request.

 

Planning to switch or just joined us? Welcome along! 

 

Let us know how you found the switching process or if we’ve missed any important details in the comments below...

 

Ok thx, I'll try that

Hi @SeanJ22,

 

I’m sorry to hear this.

 

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

 

If you’re still supplied by OVO, please contact our Support team.

 

Please let us know how you get on with this. 

 

 

 

I’m currently on Economy 7 from OVO and gas from EDF.  I’d like to get a quote from OVO to see if it would be worth switching the gas from EDF to OVO but can’t find a way to get there on the website.  Can someone please point the way?

Howdy @johnlbrooks !

Sure thing. You’ll need to ask OVO Support for that and they can generate you a quote. 0330 303 5063 or https://ovoenergy.com/help for Live Chat should do this - use the keyword Agent to bypass the bot.

We signed up recently and provided initial readings as requested.

However it looks like the initial meter reading we provided for Gas has been ignored, and an inaccurate ‘estimate’ from the previous supplier has been used instead.

I just phoned customer service who said that the ‘account wasn’t completely set up yet’ and that could take 4-6 weeks (NB - the account is ‘set up’ enough to have already taken a payment - quelle surprise!).

Being ‘completely set up’ means the meter transmitting apparently - something our meter has NEVER done (as i pointed out).

Although the advisor took a note of both the initial readings and today’s reading, it seems pointless to even ask for an initial reading if its not actually going to be used (or at least recorded somewhere on the account).

We had huge issues with our previous supplier around Gas meter readings, and its a situation I’m very keen to avoid.

 

Hi @JKS , there are industry rules to follow when changing supplier and agreeing an end/start reading is one of them. 
 

There are ways to challenge a reading but from what I’ve been through, it seems best to let things sort themselves out .. after all, you don’t want to pay for any usage twice 

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households

Hi @JKS , there are industry rules to follow when changing supplier and agreeing an end/start reading is one of them. 

I understand that - But on that basis why would you not take the reading that has been requested as the starting point?

 

Part of the process is the need to agree that with the previous supplier 

Part of the process is the need to agree that with the previous supplier 

..and in the meantime bill you until the starting point is decided? Interesting

Hey @JKS,

 

I understand your frustration

 

Opening & closing gas meter readings are agreed with a third party data collector. As long as both suppliers use the same reading you won’t be charged twice.

 

If you think your opening meter reading is out of line you may be eligible for a read dispute:

 

 

Hope this helps. 

Hey @JKS,

 

I understand your frustration

 

Opening & closing gas meter readings are agreed with a third party data collector. As long as both suppliers use the same reading you won’t be charged twice.

 

If you think your opening meter reading is out of line you may be eligible for a read dispute:

 

 

Hope this helps. 

LOL - up to 12 weeks to resolution?

That’s customer service! Again - presumably the customer is being billed during this process?

This whole process seems heavily weighted in the ‘poor’, ‘embattled’  energy company’s favor.

 

 

Hey @JKS,

 

I understand your frustration

 

Opening & closing gas meter readings are agreed with a third party data collector. As long as both suppliers use the same reading you won’t be charged twice.

 

If you think your opening meter reading is out of line you may be eligible for a read dispute:

 

 

Hope this helps. 

LOL - up to 12 weeks to resolution?

That’s customer service! Again - presumably the customer is being billed during this process?

This whole process seems heavily weighted in the ‘poor’, ‘embattled’  energy company’s favor.

 

 

Have you got a final bill from your old supplier yer?

In the past I have found giving this to OVO has sorted out any difference between closing readings with an old supplier and opening readings with OVO.

It is sometimes quicker than waiting for the up to 12 week process.

Legally your old supplier has up to 6 weeks to provide you with a correct final bill, if they don't you are automatically entitled to £30 compensation from them.

If you haven't already it would be worth downloading one of the ofgem regulated 3rd party apps to see if they can see either of your electricity and gas meters. For example 

https://hugoenergyapp.co.uk/

Is your gas meter a long way away from your electricity meter? If you like feel free to post some pictures of your meters and one of the regular posters may be able to give you some useful feedback 

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