Hello.
I have an Aclara SGM1411-B. I would like to make use of one of the time of use plans so that I am charged less for electricity usage during off peak times.
Customer support says my smart meter can’t do that, but from what I have read the Aclara is able to support time of use tariffs and can also be remotely updated to do that.
So why am I being asked to pay (£100) for an engineer visit? Can the meter not be updated remotely?
Best answer by Blastoise186
Updated on 28/03/25 by Ben_OVO
Economy 7 tariffs only benefit people who use a large amount of power at night - generally when they are using night time storage heaters / water heating. Without high night time usage, economy 7 can be very expensive compared to a standard plan. You can find out more about economy 7 here 👇
If charging an electric vehicle at night, this may not use enough to mean economy 7 is needed. You’ll be much better off using our Charge Anytime plan:
OVO doesn’t currently do Time of Use tariffs other than Economy 7/Economy 10. What did you want to use that tariff type for
As it stands, your current meter suggests that you might not have a valid use case for E7 anyway - the cost during daytime hours are significantly more expensive than Standard Variable. It’s not worth it unless you have a use case.
+1Updated on 28/03/25 by Ben_OVO
Economy 7 tariffs only benefit people who use a large amount of power at night - generally when they are using night time storage heaters / water heating. Without high night time usage, economy 7 can be very expensive compared to a standard plan. You can find out more about economy 7 here 👇
If charging an electric vehicle at night, this may not use enough to mean economy 7 is needed. You’ll be much better off using our Charge Anytime plan:
OVO doesn’t currently do Time of Use tariffs other than Economy 7/Economy 10. What did you want to use that tariff type for
As it stands, your current meter suggests that you might not have a valid use case for E7 anyway - the cost during daytime hours are significantly more expensive than Standard Variable. It’s not worth it unless you have a use case.
Thanks for your quick response on a public holiday :)
My current plan is “ Simpler Energy” at a unit rate of 29.25p
Something like Simpler Energy - Flex Rate - 16/08/2023
which has the same day rate and a night rate of 19.81p would be useful if charging the EV at night?
I put my postcode (N14 7**) into the plans.ovoenergy.com which is where the plan was mentioned
+1There may be a better option.
What EV and Charger do you have?
+1In that case, the flex plan that OVO offered you is probably the best one atm. If you’re able to take it, the system will allow it. Otherwise, the system will block it
Yes, I think so. The sticking point is that they are stating the meter can’t support the tariff and that they want to charge £100 to install a new one. I am not going to do that, especially since they installed a new meter in December.
So I just wanted confirmation that they cannot make the change remotely.
+1I’ll have to ask backstage, bear with me.
Sorry for the slow reply btw. I was in a meeting with the community team of another energy supplier (I’m too well known!).
+5Hi
I’m in a similar position with an Aclara meter like yours but because I only had a single rate supply previously, that’s how the meter has been set up and because there’s an issue with changes due to their billing system, I can’t change to Economy 7 or similar. Others mention the same thing
+2
they are stating the meter can’t support the tariff and that they want to charge £100 to install a new one.
.
That may be correct. The Aclara SGM 1411-B is the ‘no bells and whistles’ model, with only one usage register. For dual-rate metering (peak and off-peak), you’d probably need a de luxe model.
+5Not that it helps in this case but my Aclara SGM1411-B definitely has at least 2 registers (labelled TOU1 and TOU2) alongside export and such … just looked to double check
+1Actually, ALL Smart Meters support multiple usage registers, including the Aclara SGM1411-B.
It’s only the Fifth Terminal that this particular model doesn’t support - which you wouldn’t need for your use case anyway.
… my Aclara SGM1411-B definitely has at least 2 registers (labelled TOU1 and TOU2) alongside export and such …
OK, thanks for putting me straight. I did say ‘may’ ...
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