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Being told OVO don't supply 3 phase smart meters, is this really the case?


We have a 3 phase supply to our house and would like to have a 3 phase smart meter installed.

I saw various discussions on the ovo forum regarding people having 3 phase smart meters installed so I decided to give OVO a call.. I was told on the phone that they do supply 3 phase smart meters and that I could have one.

 

I made the switch from Birtish Gas and now that im a customer I’m being told that OVO do not supply 3 phase smart meters?!

Customer support said that an engineer can wire a single phase smart meter... I’d have thought that we have a 3 phase supply for a reason and chucking everything onto a single phase might not be the best idea?

 

Any input would be greatly appreaciated.

Best answer by Emmanuelle_OVO

Updated on 31/03/25 by Ben_OVO:

OVO do indeed install three-phase smart meters.

 

  1. If you’re increasing the electricity demand required in your home (eg by installing multiple EV chargers or a new electric heating system) an electrician can advise whether you might need to upgrade to a three-phase supply.
  2. You’ll then need to contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), who’ll be able to upgrade your existing fuse to three-phase. 
  3. You can then book with us to have your meter upgraded to three-phase. It’s usually about a month until an engineer can get to you. Check out our full guide to 3 phase meter maintenance costs here.

 

You can find out all the information about this here:

 

 

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19 replies

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
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  • Plan Zero Hero
  • 7904 replies
  • October 19, 2023

I can confirm that OVO DOES do 3-Phase Smart Meters. They’re just being done in limited numbers right now as there’s not a huge number of engineers available.


  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter****
  • 7 replies
  • October 19, 2023

I wonder why I wasn’t told that? I think id rather wait for an engineer to become available then move everything to a single phase.

How would i go about getting myself on the waiting list?

 


Blastoise186
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  • Plan Zero Hero
  • 7904 replies
  • October 19, 2023

The Forum Moderators were keeping good records there. I’ll see if they’ve still got that list handy.


  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter****
  • 7 replies
  • October 19, 2023

I called again and this time I’ve been told that i can have one but its going to cost me £300. 


Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
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  • Plan Zero Hero
  • 7904 replies
  • October 19, 2023

Yup, that’s right. £325 is about the average OVO charges for that job.

If you already have a Three-Phase meter, the fee to go Smart is waived.


  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter****
  • 7 replies
  • October 19, 2023

I already have a 3 phase non smart meter, but apparently I still need to pay...


Blastoise186
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  • Plan Zero Hero
  • 7904 replies
  • October 19, 2023

It should be free if you’re going Three-Phase Traditional > Three-Phase Smart.


  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter****
  • 7 replies
  • October 19, 2023

Ok I’ll try telling them that, not holding my breath...


  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter****
  • 7 replies
  • October 19, 2023

@Tim_OVO / @Emmanuelle_OVO  Could you please share your input? I’ve noticed your involvement on the 3 phase smart meter thread: 

 


Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager
  • Community Manager
  • 2569 replies
  • Answer
  • October 19, 2023

Updated on 31/03/25 by Ben_OVO:

OVO do indeed install three-phase smart meters.

 

  1. If you’re increasing the electricity demand required in your home (eg by installing multiple EV chargers or a new electric heating system) an electrician can advise whether you might need to upgrade to a three-phase supply.
  2. You’ll then need to contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), who’ll be able to upgrade your existing fuse to three-phase. 
  3. You can then book with us to have your meter upgraded to three-phase. It’s usually about a month until an engineer can get to you. Check out our full guide to 3 phase meter maintenance costs here.

 

You can find out all the information about this here:

 

 


  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter****
  • 7 replies
  • October 19, 2023

@Emmanuelle_OVO  Thanks for getting back to me. 

I made the booking online then called customer support to inform them that I currently have a 3 phase non-smart meter.

1st call I was told I cant have one and that my booking would go ahead with the engineer fitting a single phase meter (which is concerning).

2nd call I was told i can have one but it would cost £325. They said that they will arrange a date for an engineer and call me back this afternoon.

 

I’ve not spoken to, or been offered to speak to any specialist teams.

 

Could you please provide clarity on whether or not I should be paying for the smart meter?


  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter****
  • 7 replies
  • October 20, 2023

Two very friendly engineers turned up this morning with a 3 phase smart meter!


I’m not sure how / when it was organised or why there was confusion when calling up but everythings sorted.

 

One happy customer :)


Abby_OVO
Community Manager
  • Community Manager
  • 1077 replies
  • October 20, 2023

Hey @tobydeh 

 

This is lovely to hear! Glad they got it sorted, all be it a little confusion along the way. 

 

Let us know if there’s anything else we can help with. Feel free to pop back to the Forum with questions any time🙂


  • Carbon Cutter*
  • 3 replies
  • January 23, 2024

Does Ovo Energy install 3 phase meters? I saw a schedule of prices which included £325 for a 3 phase meter upgrade. Customer services booked me an appointment after taking the cash from me, but the engineer did not show up. When I chased for a new appointment, they now state that Ovo Energy do not install 3 phase meters and the money I paid for a meter upgrade has just been credited to my electricity account. I am now in the process of moving to another supplier but I thought I would check as the people at customer services do not seem to have a clue what they are talking about.


Blastoise186
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  • Plan Zero Hero
  • 7904 replies
  • January 24, 2024

OVO does do 3-Phase Meters, it’s just that 3-Phase Smart is a bit limited right now.


  • Carbon Cutter*
  • 3 replies
  • January 24, 2024

Ovo customer sales told me yesterday they do not do any 3 phase, smart or not smart, even though I have had 2 no show engineer appointments for a 3 phase meter. (I don’t need a smart one as it is just so I can run a 3 phase ASHP). But today customer services have now booked me a new appointment for a 3 phase meter. This is so confusing. We’ll see if the engineer shows up for the appointment….


  • Carbon Cutter**
  • 5 replies
  • February 8, 2024

 

It's all very confusing! Glad to hear @tobydeh that you got there in the end. Can I ask did they replace a 3 phase (day/night) meter, and did you have to pay for it?


@Disgruntled2 did they show up, and if so did they manage to fit the smart 3 phase?

Got a 3 phase smart install booked for next week, I'm not holding out much hope.....

 


  • Carbon Cutter*
  • 3 replies
  • February 22, 2024

Update. I have finally succeeded to get a 3 phase meter installed. It took a few failed appointments - as in 2 no shows, one cancelled and go to the back of the queue, 2 engineers showing up at the same time neither of whom could do 3 phase and then finally a successful appointment. So despite much wasted time, I am still delighted to have achieved the goal. One lesson is beware of British Gas - who I was originally with who not only were not able to supply a 3 phase meter, but have also massively overcharged me on my final bill when I moved to Ovo - which is likely to take months to resolve.


Abby_OVO
Community Manager
  • Community Manager
  • 1077 replies
  • February 22, 2024

Hey @Disgruntled2 

 

I’m glad to hear you’ve finally got your 3-phase meter fitted!🙂

 

I’m sorry to hear though about the the billing issue with British Gas, I really hope they sort that out for you soon. A common cause of final bill issues is likely to be an incorrect meter reading somewhere, so it’ll be worth checking the meter readings they’ve used on the bill.

 

Best of luck.


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