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juliamc
Rank 20
juliamc
Rank 20
November 27, 2022
Solved

Old meters in a very inaccessible place… Is a smart meter exchange possible?

These meters are pretty ancient looking. Looks like they need replacing urgently !! Please advise. 

Blastoise186
Blastoise186Best Answer
Super User
November 28, 2022

Updated on 06/05/25 by Ben_OVO

If you’d like smart meters installed but your meters are hard to reach, or are in a confined space, reach out to our Support Team. If you contact via email or webchat then you can send across photos of your meters and their location, and our engineers will be able to see whether the job is possible. 

 

If the meter is at height, then the Advisor who books the job must clearly note this in the job booking. Make sure to tell the advisor that the meter is positioned at height, so that the engineer can bring the necessary kit. You’ll need to let them know exactly how high the meter is off the ground. Please note, if the meter is above six feet off the ground then we may not be able to do the job, in which case your District Network Operator will need to move the meter.

 

Sometimes extra work may be needed that’s out of our engineer’s jurisdiction. You can find out more here 👇

 

 

WOAH! I knew you mentioned they weren’t easy to get at, but I didn’t expect it to be THAT bad!

Umm… That’s going to be a real nightmare to sort out. Might be worth having a Site Survey done prior to booking the upgrade to help pick up on any potential snags.

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9 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
November 27, 2022

Looks like the electric meter is well beyond recertification and definitely needs to be swapped out. I’d also argue the gas meter is due as well.

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!
    juliamc
    Rank 20
    juliamcAuthor
    Rank 20
    November 27, 2022

    Agree… rather concerning notice label on it ! Surprised this hadn’t been picked up by the electrician who rewired the house !!! 

    juliamc
    Rank 20
    juliamcAuthor
    Rank 20
    November 28, 2022

    This shows just how inaccessible the meters are. The house was rewired 5 years ago. Anyone reading the meters or working on them has to crawl up onto the slope - which is concrete covered ground in the undercroft. Meters are actually attached to the front wall of the house (built on a hill !!).

    Would this be a straightforward job to replace with smart meters ? They are certainly needed !

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super UserBest Answer
    Super User
    November 28, 2022

    Updated on 06/05/25 by Ben_OVO

    If you’d like smart meters installed but your meters are hard to reach, or are in a confined space, reach out to our Support Team. If you contact via email or webchat then you can send across photos of your meters and their location, and our engineers will be able to see whether the job is possible. 

     

    If the meter is at height, then the Advisor who books the job must clearly note this in the job booking. Make sure to tell the advisor that the meter is positioned at height, so that the engineer can bring the necessary kit. You’ll need to let them know exactly how high the meter is off the ground. Please note, if the meter is above six feet off the ground then we may not be able to do the job, in which case your District Network Operator will need to move the meter.

     

    Sometimes extra work may be needed that’s out of our engineer’s jurisdiction. You can find out more here 👇

     

     

    WOAH! I knew you mentioned they weren’t easy to get at, but I didn’t expect it to be THAT bad!

    Umm… That’s going to be a real nightmare to sort out. Might be worth having a Site Survey done prior to booking the upgrade to help pick up on any potential snags.

    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!
      juliamc
      Rank 20
      juliamcAuthor
      Rank 20
      November 28, 2022

      Right-o. I’ve passed that on, thankfully it’s not my house and it’ll be Octopus’s nightmare !!!

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        November 28, 2022

        I guess I’ll go grab some popcorn then. This could be good! :P

        I’d love to hear about how they manage to pull off that upgrade.

        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!
          juliamc
          Rank 20
          juliamcAuthor
          Rank 20
          November 28, 2022

          @PeterR1947 could you cast your eye over this tricky situation please ?? What would you suggest ? 

          Emmanuelle_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          Emmanuelle_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          November 29, 2022

          Hey @juliamc,

           

          Wow! I think @Blastoise186 is right, a Site Survey would be helpful...

           

          Do keep us updated as to the outcome for customers with similarly inaccessible meters! 

           

          I know that OVO would first request meter photos which would be looked at by our siteworks team. 

          Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
          juliamc
          Rank 20
          juliamcAuthor
          Rank 20
          November 29, 2022

          A smart meter installation has been booked (for late December) and an email sent to Octopus with the photos by way of ‘managing their expectations’ . We shall see...

            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