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M
Rank 1
MrE
Rank 1
July 6, 2024
Solved

is it a genuine email from Power Move?

  • July 6, 2024
  • 19 replies
  • 518 views

We’ve been on Power Move for many months without hitting the target. However, last month we used virtually no power at all - we were on holiday and the house was empty. 
This is the email we received:

 

 

During June your smart meter failed to send us readings at certain times, so we couldn’t see the full picture of your electricity use.
 

Unfortunately this means you won’t receive a Power Move credit this month.

Has anyone else received this email? Has anyone actually got the credit for achieving Power Move or is it a con?

Best answer by Firedog

Updated on 07/03/25 by Chris_OVO

 

 

It doesn’t seem fair that people are missing out because of the smart meters not working properly, after all, that is not the customers fault. Should OVO not be replacing these meters if they are not functioning properly?

 

It’s not usually a case of the meters not functioning properly. I’ve heard that there are two main reasons why you get a message saying something like “your smart meter failed to send us readings at certain times, so we couldn’t see the full picture of your electricity use:”

  • Missing half-hour data. If there is even a single half-hour’s figure missing from a weekday’s data, the day will be disregarded by Power Move. There must be exactly 48 figures for the day.
  • Data arriving late. Until recently, there was a cut-off time - 13:00. If the usage data for a weekday hadn’t arrived in your account by this time the following day, the day was disregarded. The PM team were looking at delaying the cut-off point, but I don’t know whether they did or not.

There might be many reasons why either of these faults arises, for example spotty communication with your meter, congestion in and out of the DCC or a power outage at your house. None of these does OVO have any control over. If the number of working days in the month less the number of disregarded ones is below 14, there will sadly be no reward. 

19 replies

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Jasmin10
Rank 4
Jasmin10
Rank 4
July 6, 2024

Ah I see, thanks for the explanation.

Still doesn’t seem fair though!

Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper UserSolved
Super User
July 6, 2024

Updated on 07/03/25 by Chris_OVO

 

 

It doesn’t seem fair that people are missing out because of the smart meters not working properly, after all, that is not the customers fault. Should OVO not be replacing these meters if they are not functioning properly?

 

It’s not usually a case of the meters not functioning properly. I’ve heard that there are two main reasons why you get a message saying something like “your smart meter failed to send us readings at certain times, so we couldn’t see the full picture of your electricity use:”

  • Missing half-hour data. If there is even a single half-hour’s figure missing from a weekday’s data, the day will be disregarded by Power Move. There must be exactly 48 figures for the day.
  • Data arriving late. Until recently, there was a cut-off time - 13:00. If the usage data for a weekday hadn’t arrived in your account by this time the following day, the day was disregarded. The PM team were looking at delaying the cut-off point, but I don’t know whether they did or not.

There might be many reasons why either of these faults arises, for example spotty communication with your meter, congestion in and out of the DCC or a power outage at your house. None of these does OVO have any control over. If the number of working days in the month less the number of disregarded ones is below 14, there will sadly be no reward. 

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
    W
    Newcomer
    Will R
    Newcomer
    July 6, 2024

    We’ve been on Power Move for many months without hitting the target. However, last month we used virtually no power at all - we were on holiday and the house was empty. 
    This is the email we received:

     

     

    During June your smart meter failed to send us readings at certain times, so we couldn’t see the full picture of your electricity use.
     

    Unfortunately this means you won’t receive a Power Move credit this month.

    Has anyone else received this email? Has anyone actually got the credit for achieving Power Move or is it a con?

    Our house was also empty in June with just the fridge/freezer left on so hourly usage was pretty much  constant. As peak time is only 15 out of 168 hours ie about 9% we hit the target. Result!

      W
      Rank 9
      wkeithg
      Rank 9
      July 6, 2024

      Has anyone actually got the credit for achieving Power Move or is it a con?

      We have got something each month since we started in January.  Did it by charging PHEV outside peak hours.   The summer one is going to be harder due to lower target even with weekends being all off peak.

      As others have said here and elsewhere low usage isn’t conducive to getting anything unless you can do some high usage outside of peak hours.  If you can do this it might pay for itself.

      J
      Rank 2
      JNeve
      Rank 2
      July 7, 2024

      I only received it when we did the hour ones or two hourly ones they were a lot easier. if you need a cuppa why should you go without . and we do our dinner around eight o’clock l know we couldn’t do any later as my husband is diabetic and you have to have set times. and l know the times you shouldn’t do things then. but l am not going to worry about it.

      O
      Rank 6
      oho
      Rank 6
      July 10, 2024

      These power moves are a bit of a nonsense. Doesn’t matter what we do, at best we get a few pence back. It really is not worth the effort, thats pretty much zero incentive. I’d save more by increasing my flatulence and heating the house a bit more.

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      July 10, 2024

      These power moves are a bit of a nonsense. Doesn’t matter what we do, at best we get a few pence back. It really is not worth the effort, thats pretty much zero incentive. I’d save more by increasing my flatulence and heatig the house a bit more.

      That is either Power Move Plus or Power Move Flex, which is NOT the same as regular Power Move.

      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!
        B
        Rank 6
        brichard
        Rank 6
        July 10, 2024

        These power moves are a bit of a nonsense. Doesn’t matter what we do, at best we get a few pence back. It really is not worth the effort, thats pretty much zero incentive. I’d save more by increasing my flatulence and heating the house a bit more.

        Flatulence is a very potent green house gas so not a good idea to go this route. Better to just to heat your home in the usual way since the objective of the power moves is to reduce production of green house gases not save money.

        It takes individuals to take action to bring about change
          B
          Rank 6
          brichard
          Rank 6
          July 10, 2024
          It can be done with a little effort 

           

          It takes individuals to take action to bring about change
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