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dmacaulay75
Rank 2
January 15, 2024
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Complex meter set up- Why can't I be Economy 7?

  • January 15, 2024
  • 22 replies
  • 639 views

I have 2 meters in the property I have moved in to.  One is an RST meter that runs the storage heating.  The other does everything else.

 

My bills the last couple of months have been astronomical so I called Ovo to request to be switched to an Economy 7 (or whatever) tarriff so I can make use of cheaper overnight rates for heating and hot water.

 

After spending what seemed like an eternity getting put on hold and transferred I eventually got through to somebody who said that the ONLY solution they have is to remove the meter for the storage heaters and hot water and never use the heating again.  When I told the agent it’s the middle of winter she said “we can do it in April” as if winter is a one off event that doesn’t occur every year. And of course they also refuse to install a smart meter too.

 

I could not believe what I was hearing!  Do these people live in the real world?  Is that REALLY Ovo’s only alternative to paying a flat rate?  How would that even help???  

 

I swear to god, the customer support team and the “complaints/escelation” people were absolutely clueless and were basically there to put me on hold to go and ask somebody else.  I’m regretting signing up with these jokers.

 

Sorry for the rant but my blood is boiling after that call.

Best answer by Jeffus

Updated on 14/06/24 by Shads_OVO

 

Update on RTS shutdown:

 

As part of the RTS Project development, we are really happy to share with you our progress:

 

As you may be aware, the RTS signal that instructs some of our meters when to move to the “Off Peak Period”  will be closing down soon and we need to arrange for all of our RTS customers to have a meter exchange so they don’t lose any of their meter functionality.

 

The RTS signal will end for our customers on 30 June 2025. The period between 1 July - 30 September 2025 will then be used to close-down the RTS signal and allow us to manage any unexpected customers impacted.

 

After a very successful pilot, from the 17th June 2024 we will begin writing to our Economy 10 RTS customers to invite them to call us to arrange for their meter exchange. 

 

We are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers and our aim is to begin writing to these customers in Aug 2024. 

 

We will continue to update you on our progress.

 

It looks like THTC night-time rates are almost as expensive as my current any-time rate and the normal unit-rate on the THTC tariff is FAR higher rendering the entire plan utterly pointless.

You are not the first to highlight that.

At the last ofgem price cap change on 1st Jan others have said the increases on parts of the THTC tariff have been surprisingly high.

You could get an electrician to look at your setup and see what needs to be done to get it ready for an E7 smart meter if the current setup was removed.

The next price cap kicks in 1st April but is calculated by ofgem using data up till 15th Feb. At the moment, no guarantees, the cap overall is due to fall as wholesale gas prices have fallen dramatically which impacts electricity prices. But that doesn't help you over the main winter period.

It is frustrating for customers of all suppliers as the deadline for removing these types of meters has been pushed back several times. Regular posters on the forum like @Blastoise186 ask ovo for updates on a regular basis.

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Jeffus
Rank 20
Jeffus
Rank 20
January 17, 2024

Apologies @Sallen1 , but there aren’t any I know of unfortunately.

Thanks - just one more thought though

If I had an Electric Vehicle and got one of those sub-10p/kWh tariffs, would I be able to charge up my thermal store at the same time ?

With ovo anytime no.

With Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus Go then definitely yes.

The Octopus tariff has a low rate for the whole house and the EV overnight. 

The OVO tariff only a low rate via credits for the EV. 

Lots of people do something similar to what you are wanting with Octopus but charging batteries at home and their EV. Some have thermal stores and EVs.

Some customers have signed up to Octopus Go without an EV and just battery storage, but you may find Octopus have tightened up their criteria.

    S
    Newcomer
    Sallen1
    Newcomer
    January 17, 2024

    Thank you. I wonder if there is some “subsidy” or other incentive / obligation for the energy companies to provide cut-price electricity for EV’s specifically. 

    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