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ardnabruach1
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December 26, 2021
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Why did I receive a communication about booking a smart meter appointment if you're not currently installing these in my area?

  • December 26, 2021
  • 22 replies
  • 255 views

why why and why - a National drive fir smart technology, letter from Ovo advising to book a smart meter installation yet zero intention of installing anything in my area - Highlands. discriminatory practices by another powerful and monied utility 

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 10/02/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO

Hi,

That invitation was probably part of a routine campaign, but the actual compatibility checks aren’t usually able to be performed until you go to book the upgrade.

It’s actually probably a bit more complicated than you think. There are a lot of factors that have to be considered before a Smart Meter upgrade can be offered and engineer availability is just one of them. There’s also things like whether you have WAN coverage for example.

It’s also been known for the Arqiva WAN used in the Northern Territory to be less reliable than the Telefonica WAN used elsewhere, but this is not something OVO or any other supplier has any control over. It actually went out to tender a few years ago and Arqiva won the contract for the Northern Territory with their Long-Range Radio proposal (which covers all of Scotland and parts of Northern England), while Telefonica won the contracts for the Central and Southern Territories with their Cellular proposal.

Unfortunately, it’s been a pretty bumpy ride for Arqiva since then. The Arqiva WAN does work well for some people, but there’s been a huge struggle with them getting the infrastructure in place and getting the signal coverage to be stable enough. It’s preferable to block the upgrade in these cases, than to allow it to go ahead and unfairly raise your expectations of it working, when it might not.

It will be possible in time, but you’ll need to be patient until then. I’m afraid switching supplier probably won’t help either - all of them use the same Arqiva and Telefonica WAN solutions, so if your problem is no WAN coverage, then you’ll get the same issue no matter who you’re with.

 

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22 replies

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
March 10, 2023

Hi @Siobhan23 ,

We can probably give you some advice on this, but I could do with seeing photos of your meters first. Could you post some snaps for us please?

Once we’ve seen them, it’ll make our advice more tailored. Hope this helps.

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S
Newcomer
Siobhan23
Newcomer
March 10, 2023

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
March 10, 2023

Thanks!

I’m afraid there’s currently no upgrade path for you right now as you’ve got THTC Meters, but a solution is in development that will allow you to get Smart Meters from OVO once an upgrade path is ready.

Please hang in there for now!

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    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    March 10, 2023

    Meanwhile… I’ll ask @Firedog and @BPLightlog to stop by. They’ve got more experience with Storage Heaters than me so they’ll be better placed to help with optimising your use of them.

    I hope this will help you.

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    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    March 10, 2023

    Hi - I’m not sure that I can help too much. I don’t have storage heaters and have only picked up a few things along the way. 
    Are you familiar with your controls for the heaters@Siobhan23 ? Are you charging them up overnight on the cheaper rate?

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    Firedog
    Super User
    FiredogSuper User
    Super User
    March 10, 2023

    Sorry, @Siobhan23  and @Blastoise186 - I’m completely out of my depth with a set-up like this, and my brain’s tired after reading about THTC and the problems it’s causing. Let’s hope @BPLightlog has some bright ideas 🌞

    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. |
    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    March 10, 2023

    Sorry, @Siobhan23  and @Blastoise186 - I’m completely out of my depth with a set-up like this, and my brain’s tired after reading about THTC and the problems it’s causing. Let’s hope @BPLightlog has some bright ideas 🌞

    Well the signal for THTC is still on so it should provide a capability to use lower cost overnight electricity. As long as the storage heaters are utilising this and not on boost during the day, it should be workable. 
    Not sure why the cost should be so extortion .. are you expecting another increase in April @Siobhan23 ? If so, might this be another case for switching back to single rate (possibly not with storage heaters)

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      S
      Newcomer
      Siobhan23
      Newcomer
      March 10, 2023

      I'm in a private rental. If the storage heaters are the problem then I'll have to talk to my landlady. I was on the phone to SSE today for 1.5 hours trying to get through to the right person. I got some advice, but no further forward with getting the meters looked at. They just seem to look at my usage and compare it to the the rest in the area.

      S
      Newcomer
      Siobhan23
      Newcomer
      March 10, 2023

      They seem to be all or nothing, these heaters. I've got them turned down as much as I can. I was also told to try turning everything off next time I go to my mum's (I usually do when it's too cold and I can't afford to have plug in heaters on) and see how many units it goes up when they're off.

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      March 10, 2023

      The use of storage heaters is based on them charging up overnight and then releasing their heat during the day. So overnight they’re meant to be off (but charging) and then on during the day - unless you’re not in the house when you turn them down or off. 
      The basic set of info is :

      1. The ‘output’ setting of your storage heater should be turned off at night; and also when you are out of the room or out of the house.
      2. The ‘boost’ setting can be used to throw out extra warmth. But it uses expensive daytime electricity, so use all the stored heat first by opening the output fully before using boost.
      3. Avoid using supplementary plug-in heaters. It’s better to turn up the input on your storage heater and store more heat.

      It’s also best to use as little other electric as possible during the day as it is charged at a higher rate

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
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        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