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Anonymous
May 13, 2023
Solved

"Trickling" or "gas drip" when it's turned off at meter???

  • May 13, 2023
  • 22 replies
  • 696 views

Has anyone ever heard of gas trickling out to appliances when it's turned off at the meter? Or a drip, (ie "sometimes the amount that drips through is too small to charge, so these charges only appear every so often when a certain amount of gas has dripped. Gas lines are like water lines, they will send gas to the appliance even if they are turned off. ")?

 

These are 2 of the, to us, very strange reasons we've been given by Ovo staff for charges on our online gas account being added when our gas is turned off at the meter and all appliances turned off. 2 days ago, for example, there was over 4kWh of such trickles or drips in a one hour period when the gas was off, all appliances were off & we were out of the house (out if a total of 6.5kWh for the whole day!)

 

We are at our wits end with this, we've been trying to get Ovo to sort this out for around 4 weeks now. We are pensioners, and, to be honest, it's making us ill & we really don't know what to do next. All we want is for someone at Ovo to admit there is something odd going on and to tell us what they can do about it. 

 

Can anyone advise, or suggest what we should/can do? Our gas is currently turned off apart from when we absolutely have to use it for personal washing (we've found all sorts of wonderful ways to do everything else without gas, even considering using the barbecue instead of the hob 😂)

Best answer by M.isterW

Is it a smart meter and are you getting half hourly readings? Half hourly readings will tell you exactly what is being used so you can see if it's a steady trickle or big jumps in use.

You can ask OVO to check your meter but there is a cost. I think it might be refunded if the meter is found to be faulty but I'm not sure.

 

https://help.ovoenergy.com/article/01767034-993d-4a91-a17a-0b3515861f63-apollo

22 replies

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A
Anonymous
May 14, 2023

Do you have a combi boiler? I'm wondering if you've got a pre-heat setting on the boiler as that could result in similar usage patterns.

 

If it isn't that then I'm stumped. There are other forum regulars who might have some ideas. Hopefully they'll be along to help.

Yes, combi boiler. No preheat, hot water on demand. We too are stumped. Last week the gas was turned off at the meter, the boiler switched off at the electric switch, the fire and hob not in use, we were out of the house, and over 4kWh was recorded over 2 half hour readings. We have tried just about every avenue open to us to get Ovo to look at this, with nothing but a standard "We've got your email" response. We are in our 70s, we are becoming really stressed about this, but feel that we're just being treated like stupid old people. Ah well, we'll keep trying. 

juliamc
Rank 20
juliamc
Rank 20
May 14, 2023

I’m a forum regular and have been lurking! My only suggestion would be to play it safe and get the meter checked. In your other thread about this Abby_OVO said there would only be a charge if the meter wasn’t found to be faulty but I don’t think she said what that charge would be. Has anyone given you a price for this? 

A
Anonymous
May 14, 2023

I’m a forum regular and have been lurking! My only suggestion would be to play it safe and get the meter checked. In your other thread about this Abby_OVO said there would only be a charge if the meter wasn’t found to be faulty but I don’t think she said what that charge would be. Has anyone given you a price for this? 

No, no-one has even replied to our emails, apart from standard holding replies. We have emailed to request that our meter is replaced, no reply. We'll chase tomorrow when phone lines open.

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
May 14, 2023

The charge is around £165, but is refunded in full if the meter is found to be faulty.

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
    juliamc
    Rank 20
    May 14, 2023

    Phone or chat would be the best contact route. Monday morning prob v busy so you might join a sizeable queue, or wait till Tuesday.

    A
    Anonymous
    May 14, 2023

    The charge is around £165, but is refunded in full if the meter is found to be faulty.

    Thank you. We'll ring them tomorrow.

    A
    Anonymous
    May 14, 2023

    Phone or chat would be the best contact route. Monday morning prob v busy so you might join a sizeable queue, or wait till Tuesday.

    Thank you. Maybe use chat then 🙂.

      Firedog
      Super User
      FiredogSuper User
      Super User
      May 14, 2023

      … play it safe and get the meter checked ... Has anyone given you a price for this? 

       

      Meter accuracy testing

      Gas: £157

      Our energy charges and fees | OVO Energy

      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. |
      A
      Anonymous
      May 14, 2023

      … play it safe and get the meter checked ... Has anyone given you a price for this? 

       

      Meter accuracy testing

      Gas: £157

      Our energy charges and fees | OVO Energy

      Thank you.

      A
      Anonymous
      May 19, 2023

      Just to update, I finally spoke to someone at Ovo a couple of days ago whose first comment on hearing what has been going on was "sounds like your meter is faulty". Hallelujah!! Someone finally listened to what I was saying. They are now going to change our meter, free of charge. It can't be done for a month but at least something is being done.

      We've also had our gas fitter call today and he has confirmed that there is no leak, trickle or drip, so we at least have peace of mind on that score. 

      Thanks to everyone who tried to give us help and advice. 

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