Ovo Energy - Moving Gas and Electric Meter

Northern78

Morning all

I was just wondering if anyone who is with Ovo Energy has had their meters moved? Ours are currently under the stairs and are a bit awkward to get to for the readings so was thinking of having them moved so we can access them outside.

I had a look on their website but couldn't find anything about it.

Thanks

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

They'll probably be able to facilitate this - but it won't be a cheap job, I had a gas meter moved in 2007, BG were the supplier, Wales & West Utilities carried out the job and it cost about £500. It would be better to see if they can install a smart meter, these send readings remotely.

OVO_Energy

Hi Northern78. We agree with Bluebirdman of Alcathays. Having SMART meters installed is probably your best option. If you’re already an OVO customer, you can register your interest in having SMART meters installed. Please send us an email with your account number to [EMAIL="socialmedia@ovoenergy.com"]socialmedia@ovoenergy.com[/EMAIL] and we'll add you to the list. J Thanks, OVO

System

Ovo_Energy_company_representative wrote: »

Hi Northern78. We agree with Bluebirdman of Alcathays. Having SMART meters installed is probably your best option. If you’re already an OVO customer, you can register your interest in having SMART meters installed. Please send us an email with your account number to [EMAIL="socialmedia@ovoenergy.com"]socialmedia@ovoenergy.com[/EMAIL] and we'll add you to the list. J Thanks, OVO

As an OVO customer, I would be interested in Smart Meters. Will OVO be installing their own version of Smart Meters; i.e., if I decide to switch suppliers in the future will the meters continue to be smart?

Andy_WSM

Hengus wrote: »

As an OVO customer, I would be interested in Smart Meters. Will OVO be installing their own version of Smart Meters; i.e., if I decide to switch suppliers in the future will the meters continue to be smart?

At the moment all suppliers fit their own version of smart meters and they are not compatible between suppliers. A ridiculous situation, but seems they weren't able to talk to each other when deciding how smart meters should work.

System

Andy_WSM wrote: »

At the moment all suppliers fit their own version of smart meters and they are not compatible between suppliers. A ridiculous situation, but seems they weren't able to talk to each other when deciding how smart meters should work.

For once, I am at a loss for words. I quite like my old meters but the gas cupboard could do with a new lock

OVO_Energy

Hi there Hengus and Andy_WSM . We’re installing SMART meters that are part of the Government Scheme. This means that these meters should work with all energy providers. If your currently an OVO customer, and you would like to register your interest, please send us an email with your account number to socialmedia@ovoenergy.com Hope this helps. Thanks, OVO

Andy_WSM

Ovo_Energy_company_representative wrote: »

Hi there Hengus and Andy_WSM . We’re installing SMART meters that are part of the Government Scheme. This means that these meters should work with all energy providers.

So you're saying that British Gas, Eon etc will use a smart meter that OVO have fitted if the customer moves provider 6 months down the line?

I'm not sure that's entirely accurate at the moment, is it?

I understood that suppliers are operating the meters in isolation and that moving from one supplier with a smart meter to a different supplier means the meter loses it's smart functionality.

System

According to Which:

"Long term, it's hoped that smart meters will make it quicker to switch energy suppliers – in theory, a smart meter can be instructed to send information about your energy usage to a new energy company instantaneously.

Up until now, those getting a smart meter installed ahead of the national roll-out in 2015 who later wanted to switch gas and electricity providers, may have had to have their meter switched to 'dumb' mode, in effect reversing their move to smart metering, or have their smart meter replaced with a traditional-style meter altogether.

The government is now taking steps to make sure that once you move to a smart meter, you will continue to be able to use the smart functionality, even if you decide to switch suppliers. From the end of 2013, if you switch to a supplier who has provided you with a smart meter, your new supplier will not be able to replace that smart meter with a dumb meter and must either rent your previous supplier’s meter or install its own new smart meter.

As of May 2013, the government says it is also considering forcing energy companies who take on smart meter customers from another supplier to continue providing remote meter readings.

It's hoped that these measures will give early adopters of smart meters greater confidence in the technology."

All seems to be rather confusing: particularly, as Which is now calling for a halt to the Smart Meter roll-out programme on the basis of it being a £12Bn luxury that the country cannot afford.

Perhaps the OVO Rep might like to post a definitive answer from their Head of Smart Metering - Leyton Jones. I am sure that he will be familiar with this article:

http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/exec-director-of-consumer-group-which-calls-for-halt-to-smart-meters-a-12bn-luxury-we-cannnot-afford/

Interesting - presumably using the HS2 method of accounting - that the UK Government is working on a £23 payback per annum per household in energy savings. For its part, the German Govt has rejected smart meters on the basis that there will be no savings. It is difficult to know who to believe.

[Deleted User]

Andy_WSM wrote: »

So you're saying that British Gas, Eon etc will use a smart meter that OVO have fitted if the customer moves provider 6 months down the line?

I'm not sure that's entirely accurate at the moment, is it?

I understood that suppliers are operating the meters in isolation and that moving from one supplier with a smart meter to a different supplier means the meter loses it's smart functionality.

You re right Andy, its a pipe dream saying 6 months. 6 years is more realistic. Smart switching is the ideal buts its a long way off. Most of the suppliers havent even started their roll out. So far all the smarts I have seen, Brit Gas, First Utility and a few Eons are all Landys and Gyr make

wr1ght

i have been to jobs where customer has got " smart meters" they change supplier and as soon as the change happens old supplier remotely disconnects and customer is left off supply