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Rank 2
Mr Unhappy
Rank 2
July 4, 2023
Solved

OVO billing and the Price Cap

  • July 4, 2023
  • 28 replies
  • 1005 views

So OVO are still over charging above the price cap. 
when you question this the chat service cuts you off. 
So we are unable to complain to OVO. 

We can’t move away from OVO as the energy companies are not competitive and are running a closed shop and hard luck on customers this is a complete fiddle between energy companies and Ofgem to extract as much money as they can from customers. 

Best answer by Firedog

Updated on 19/08/25 by Ben_OVO: 

Ofgem’s energy price cap limits what you pay for gas or electricity on a variable rate plan. Find out how it works – and how it affects your prices with our price cap guide.

 

You can also see the latest information regarding the price cap levels and date changes on the Ofgem site here.

When I wrote “The change in an individual household’s bill will vary considerably, depending on where it is located and how much energy it consumes,”  I over-simplified the case. There are several other factors involved, so if any of these apply in your case, all bets are off …

  • The price change only applies to those on the standard variable tariff. Whether prices on fixed-rate plans go down or not is up to the supplier.
  • The cap varies with the payment method; the amounts quoted are for users paying by monthly direct debit. In particular, the standing charge is significantly higher for users on pre-payment gas meters, and rates for users who choose to pay on receipt of bill are also quite a bit higher.
  • Official rates are given ex VAT. Depending on where you look, rates may or may not include VAT, but this should be made clear on the page.

You can see the current official price-cap unit rates and standing charges on this page: Energy Price Guarantee (prepayment meters): regional rates, July to September 2023 - GOV.UK.  Jeffus posted a more comprehensive table, where prices are given including VAT: CBP-9714.pdf (parliament.uk) 

It might help if you posted a screenshot of your Plan page so we can see whether anything looks strange. 

28 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
July 4, 2023

Hello @Mr Unhappy ,

I’m one of the forum volunteers. I don’t work for OVO.

Not sure what you mean by OVO overcharging. Could you explain your points? Also… Just curious but you’ve had your account for a while, why didn’t you post anything at the time?

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Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper User
Super User
July 4, 2023

So OVO are still over charging above the price cap. 

I wonder where you get this idea from.

The changes in the price cap have been widely publicized, the outcome being that on 1 July the cost of energy for the average household would fall from £2500 to £2074. Many articles called this a 17% fall, which is fair enough. However, the rates fixed by OFGEM show that the maximum gas price fell by 27%, while that for electricity fell by only 9%. Standing charges were not affected by the change in the price cap.

The change in an individual household’s bill will vary considerably, depending on where it is located and how much energy it consumes. You can be certain, though, that the rates you’re now paying are within the price cap.

You can read the official word here: Energy price cap explained | Ofgem or, in simple language, here: How does the energy price cap work?

 

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. |
    M
    Rank 2
    Mr UnhappyAuthor
    Rank 2
    July 4, 2023

    To answer price cap electric per kWh 30p

    OVO are charging 30.99 per kWh so yes over charging 

    gas standing charge cap 29p per day 

    OVO charging 32.7 per day 

    so yes OVO are charging more that the cap and therefore overcharging 

    which will be reported to Ofgem. 

    M
    Rank 2
    Mr UnhappyAuthor
    Rank 2
    July 4, 2023

    So I have checked my account today and the price cap for electric is 30p per kWh OVO are charging me 30.99p per kWh that is a charge above the price cap

    gas price cap standing charge cap 29p

    OVO charging 32.7p per day 

    so now tell me they are not overcharging. 

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 4, 2023

    That doesn’t mean 30p/kWh for Electric and 29p/day gas standing charge is the price cap for your area. In fact, the price cap for your area probably is a bit higher, which would make OVO’s actions fully compliant.

    Those posted to the Ofgem website are just averages. Do NOT rely on them.

    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!
      Firedog
      Super User
      FiredogSuper UserSolved
      Super User
      July 4, 2023

      Updated on 19/08/25 by Ben_OVO: 

      Ofgem’s energy price cap limits what you pay for gas or electricity on a variable rate plan. Find out how it works – and how it affects your prices with our price cap guide.

       

      You can also see the latest information regarding the price cap levels and date changes on the Ofgem site here.

      When I wrote “The change in an individual household’s bill will vary considerably, depending on where it is located and how much energy it consumes,”  I over-simplified the case. There are several other factors involved, so if any of these apply in your case, all bets are off …

      • The price change only applies to those on the standard variable tariff. Whether prices on fixed-rate plans go down or not is up to the supplier.
      • The cap varies with the payment method; the amounts quoted are for users paying by monthly direct debit. In particular, the standing charge is significantly higher for users on pre-payment gas meters, and rates for users who choose to pay on receipt of bill are also quite a bit higher.
      • Official rates are given ex VAT. Depending on where you look, rates may or may not include VAT, but this should be made clear on the page.

      You can see the current official price-cap unit rates and standing charges on this page: Energy Price Guarantee (prepayment meters): regional rates, July to September 2023 - GOV.UK.  Jeffus posted a more comprehensive table, where prices are given including VAT: CBP-9714.pdf (parliament.uk) 

      It might help if you posted a screenshot of your Plan page so we can see whether anything looks strange. 

      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. |
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        July 4, 2023

        So I have checked my account today and the price cap for electric is 30p per kWh OVO are charging me 30.99p per kWh that is a charge above the price cap

        gas price cap standing charge cap 29p

        OVO charging 32.7p per day 

        so now tell me they are not overcharging. 

        Hi @Mr Unhappy

        Unfortunately that isn't how the ofgem price cap works.

        The price cap rates you have quoted are the average rates across all regions if paying by Direct Debit . Often articles in the press don't make that clear. 

        There are different price cap rates for each area of the country and payment type. 

        So check the ofgem price cap rates for your region  and payment type to see if ovo have made a mistake. 

          M
          Rank 2
          Mr UnhappyAuthor
          Rank 2
          July 4, 2023

          Do you work for OVO? Because you seem to be defending them. 
          the price cap is a price cap regardless of where you live. 
           

          Blastoise186
          Super User
          Blastoise186Super User
          Super User
          July 4, 2023

          My disclosure about not working for OVO also applies to @Jeffus and @Firedog . Just to cover them in case they stop by, the same disclosure also applies to and protects @BPLightlog and @juliamc , among others. It’s intended to cover all of us. We add these disclosures per our agreements with each other and the forum moderators.

          While a price cap does exist across the UK, the value/level of said price cap is NOT the same across all regions.

          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!
          M
          Rank 2
          Mr UnhappyAuthor
          Rank 2
          July 4, 2023

          Oh dear you really seem to have missed the whole point of a price cap. 
          a price cap is just that a cap on prices so my point stands that your employer OVO energy are not passing on the price cap to all its customers correctly. 
          however I will be following this up with a formal complaint to your employers at OVO energy and if they persist in not applying the price cap to my account correctly I will forward the complaint to both the energy ombudsman and Ofgem for non compliance of implementing the price cap correctly to my account. 
          OVO energy are breaking the law by not abiding by Ofgem price cap and reducing the price in accordance with the price on the Ofgem website. 

          Show more replies
          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