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Are smart meters accurate?


Hi

I'm seeing reports of smart meters being prone to significant accuracy issues. What testing has been done on the Ovo ones to ensure their accuracy in a range of conditions?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/03/06/smart_meters_prove_dim/
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Best answer by Mw2870 19 October 2017, 21:55

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Userlevel 5
Hey Bob,

This seems to be a hot topic at the moment so it’s great that you've posted this in the forum.

To put your mind at ease, all smart meters installed by OVO undergo rigorous testing, and comply with a host of UK and European regulations to ensure they clock readings correctly.

It would be interesting to see if other users have any thoughts on this too, or if you have any further queries, please post them in the comments section below.

Lucy
Userlevel 3
There's been loads of "smart bashing" in the press over the last couple of years, it seems to get really popular for a bit, die off, then rear its ugly head again. I've seen stories in Actual newspapers claiming that smart meters steal your wifi, emit dangerous radiation, control your children, make you run with scissors, etc etc...

I even saw a Graunaid article with an otherwise respected columnist claiming that OVO smart meters, yes he named OVO specifically, had blown up his gas cooker. Now I'm not a gas engineer, but I'm gonna say that's problee Bunk...
Is there a charge for the use of a smart meter only had ours for just over a month but a usage is seems more than previous suppier
Userlevel 7
Is there a charge for the use of a smart meter only had ours for just over a month but a usage is seems more than previous suppier

Hi @linny2

I hope you don't mind, but I've moved this query to another topic on the same subject. Check out the other comments for advice on this. In case you want me to take a look to see if there is a trend of increased usage since the smart meters were fitted, I'll PM you now to get some account info.

In the meantime, here's a great page which lists other possible causes of higher then expected costs: https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-answers/topics/payg/traditional-payg/why-am-i-paying-more-than-i-expected-for-my-energy.html.

Tim
According to Which? there are known problems with SMET1 meters. They generally stop working if you change supplier, and in some cases they have recorded ridiculously high readings when there are low energy light bulbs (presumably LEDs) . The meters OVO is currently offering are SMET1, somewhat cynically I assume this is because they have stock to get rid of.
Personally I prefer to wait until the SMET2 meters become available.
Userlevel 7
According to Which? there are known problems with SMET1 meters. They generally stop working if you change supplier, and in some cases they have recorded ridiculously high readings when there are low energy light bulbs (presumably LEDs) . The meters OVO is currently offering are SMET1, somewhat cynically I assume this is because they have stock to get rid of.
Personally I prefer to wait until the SMET2 meters become available.


Hi @RedKite - some interesting points made here.

I've not yet come across a case of our smart meters struggling to cope with low energy light bulbs. That said, with anything made on mass, the odd meter might not work as intended and would need to be replaced. It was the same with those old fashioned meters as well.

As for the next generation of meters, these aren't available to any customers yet. I don't know much about them if I'm honest, but there's a topic on the subject here: https://forum.ovoenergy.com/all-about-energy-24/smart-meters-smets1-or-smets2-106.

Tim
Considering a smart meter installation,two reasons at the moment for not installing one,is the meter accurate if so what is the percentage of accuracy?,is the meter totally interchangeable with other suppliers,if not why not.
Userlevel 5
@Emma_G @PeteOVO @Mw2870 - Are you guys able to help @coltronex out with this?

Lucy
Userlevel 5
Hi @coltronex

I had a smart meter fitted two years ago, through OVO. I have been happy with what it has produced in terms of information (a running total of what has been spent on both gas and electric since the start of the policy) and have had no issues in terms of my dorect debit.

In terms of meter interoperability, I do not believe this is possible yet, as each supplier seems to display information differently. For example, my parents have a smart meter with a different supplier and theur display shows how much has been spent that day, whereas my smart meter shows what has been spent since the start of my policy.

I hope this helps
Userlevel 5

​Updated on 17/01/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO

 

Great question to ask about the accuracy of smart meter in clocking your usage.

We’re keen to reassure members that smart meters are accurate in tracking your energy usage. They’ve been rigorously tested and the smart meter roll-out is being strictly regulated by Ofgem. 

As Smart meters are able to send us regular meter readings automatically they’ll actually make it easier to spot are changes to your usage pattern. Why not take a look at the great usage data available on your online account when you get a Smart meter installed. Have you checked out our Energy Tracker? 

 

 

We hope this helps calm any smart meter concerns. Need more info, check out the guides below.
 

 



If you’re keeping an eye on your energy usage with the smart meter In-Home Display and the figures don’t seem right, there’s a chance that the device has incorrect tariff information downloaded, read more about this and how to get it sorted here.

OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Smart Meter not in communication with us? Fill in this Online Form 

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

Useful information. I had a simple remote electricity reader from British Gas some years ago and it gave me daily, monthly and annual electricity use (as long as I kept it switched on). One that only shows you use from when you started your account won't be very interesting. Your note is a useful reminder to be aware of what the meter does show you before you agree to have it fitted. I'm surprised the OVO one doesn't show you instantaneous and daily use, can you confirm that?
Regards Peter

Hi @coltronex

I had a smart meter fitted two years ago, through OVO. I have been happy with what it has produced in terms of information (a running total of what has been spent on both gas and electric since the start of the policy) and have had no issues in terms of my dorect debit.

In terms of meter interoperability, I do not believe this is possible yet, as each supplier seems to display information differently. For example, my parents have a smart meter with a different supplier and theur display shows how much has been spent that day, whereas my smart meter shows what has been spent since the start of my policy.

I hope this helps
Userlevel 5
@PeteOVO - The In Home Display will show daily, weekly, monthly and yearly usage. :)

Lucy
I have had smart meters fitted and I wish I hadn’t bothered .
I never had as many meter readers calling with the old ones .
The new monitor at this moment states electricity EST. Bill £ over 900. , gas EST. Bill £over 700 this is nonsense and on a recent bbc programme they said if you had this sort of stuff your meter was naff.
Maybe that’s why my bills are soaring .
I also read somewhere the old meters cost £15 and last 50 years and the new ones £50 and last 15 years . Seems senseless to me.
My deal is up in December I will need to check out other deals .
I will probably take any one that fits the old meters back in !
Since getting the Smart Meter my first two bills were around £88 (gas and electric). Now awaiting the third bill which my smart device estimates at over £230 so far of period ending 15th November (gas & electric)

This is very worrying. Two people in a flat out most days, do not use central heating and have been away for a month of the period. Modest use of washing machine etc. Pensioners we are not happy about having heating on and if its chilly a 400W fire is what we use for a short time in the evenings. No heating in daytime or overnight.
Electrical estimate seems strange for what appliances we have.
Userlevel 5
Hi Dave,

Is the £230 estimate coming from the IHD (In Home Display) or the MyOVO webpage?

My IHD shows the amount of energy used in £s on the home screen since I had the meter installed. It doesn't reset every time a bill is issued.

This seems to be a known issue, see the posts on here:
https://forum.ovoenergy.com/pay-monthly-21/pay-monthly-customer-and-my-in-home-display-84

They said "this sounds like the In Home Display's (IHD) 'estimated bill' screen. This doesn't link up with the bill on My OVO, and will only reset on certain occasions such as a tariff change."
Many thanks for that, probably I am just not using the device properly.
Userlevel 5
I find that screen confusing, and it’s the default one on the device, which you can’t change! Apparently OVO have a new improved device in the pipeline so fingers crossed it will be more useful.
I had a smart meter installed last week. Since yesterday evening the display has been stuck on 3.86kw, regardless of how much or how little is switched on. I am certainly not running 3 electric fires. About to complain to OVO.
Userlevel 5
It sounds like you’re referring to the estimated bill section on the In Home Display (IHD) @Irateian. At the moment, this information isn’t accurate so it’s best to look at the ‘History’ section on your IHD.

@RedKite- are you also seeing this on your IHD? If so, check the ‘History’ tab too as this should show you your usage.

Lucy
Hi
Had the smart meter fitted last week and being keeping an eye on it. Bit concerned. Tuesday I had the central heating on low for a good part of the day. Total showed on smart meter as around £3.90 for gas and electric for the day.
Yesterday gas fire on in one room for an hour. Total on smart meter showed as around £1.30.
However, online and on app both days now show as having used exactly the same amount of gas at £1.71. Generating a comparison between the 2 days shows a completely different pattern of use - as it should.
Concerned as to what is going on with inaccurate information and how it will affect my bill. Thanks for any help on this.
Not too impressed with the app so far. Most of the time live data is unavailable.
In addition tarif on meter does not match my price per kw even with addition of vat.
Userlevel 7

Had the smart meter fitted last week and being keeping an eye on it...... Concerned as to what is going on with inaccurate information and how it will affect my bill..... tariff on meter does not match my price per kw even with addition of vat.

 


Can you tell us a bit more info on where you're seeing this daily costs on the meter and online @Maz403:? Maybe another user in this thread can offer some advice on this.

As for the prices showing on the meter/In Home Display, send us a message via Facebook, Twitter  orour Help Centre has online chat, for us to check. 

Tim

 

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