Best display for usage

olbas_oil

I am currently with OVO, on a SECURE Smets 1 meter. Originally I had a small in-home display, but found the interface quite confusing. More recently I get a monthly email with usage figures and I can go to their website to see a daily breakdown of figures.

I have been very impressed with that interface, and find it very useful. So much so, that now my fixed deal has run out, and I can see that switching could save me money, I'd actually be sorry to go back to a system which didn't provide that.

Can I switch from OVO to OVO and get cashback/ switching incentives.?
Who else provides a complete and timely breakdown of usage?
Who else could use the SECURE SMETS1 meters, or replace them with SMETS2 ?

Robin9

It's rare to hear of anyone singing the praises of the IHD or the consumers website.

Tell me what wondrous thing have you learnt about your energy usage that has actually saved you money.

PS I'm one of the sceptics who put his IHD in the back of the drawer within a week.

PennineAcute

Some people are visual people. They need to see things so they can understand. For example, I knew my shower was a 9kW shower, but that was it.

After I saw how much my shower was costing me, for a lovely 20 minute shower, I have managed to gain control of my electricity costs.

So for me, my IHD has enabled me to save money. It is also easier for me to enter my daily usage into my spreadsheet (that is an added bonus).

[Deleted User]

olbas_oil wrote: »

I am currently with OVO, on a SECURE Smets 1 meter. Originally I had a small in-home display, but found the interface quite confusing. More recently I get a monthly email with usage figures and I can go to their website to see a daily breakdown of figures.

I have been very impressed with that interface, and find it very useful. So much so, that now my fixed deal has run out, and I can see that switching could save me money, I'd actually be sorry to go back to a system which didn't provide that.

Can I switch from OVO to OVO and get cashback/ switching incentives.?
Who else provides a complete and timely breakdown of usage?
Who else could use the SECURE SMETS1 meters, or replace them with SMETS2 ?

Eon use Secure Liberty meters nowadays and virtually every small supplier who has started to fit smart meters use these "value for money " meters.
So a switch to these suppliers would not need a new meter fitted. Ovo and Utilita were the first to use these meters quite a few years ago

olbas_oil

Houbara wrote: »

Eon use Secure Liberty meters nowadays and virtually every small supplier who has started to fit smart meters use these "value for money " meters.
So a switch to these suppliers would not need a new meter fitted. Ovo and Utilita were the first to use these meters quite a few years ago

Although I agree that this is how it should work, I have real experience to the contrary. I gave EON details of my meter and they assured me that they would be able to use it. It was on that basis I did a switch in Oct 2017. I never fully understood the problem (nor I think did they) but they were unable to register my meter, so it would pick up the data. It was exactly the same make as the ones they were installing. They agreed that if they swapped out my meters, and replaced it with the same meters, it would work, but they were unable to authorise that because you needed a dumb meter (or a broken smart meter) for a replacement. I can even remember a tongue in cheek discussion about whether I could do some creative vandalism!

In the end they agreed I had been mis-sold the switch, and gave me £50 compensation, as well as waiving the exit fees. I was ok with that because I had got about £30 cashback for doing the switch, and was able to get another £30 for the second switch a month or two later to OVO. So it was a lot of hassle, but I wasn't out of pocket.

So now, I'd like to move to SMETS2, and not worry about interoperability, But along the way I have decided I actually like OVO's interface, and the way they can show me historical data usage, on a daily basis. I haven't made a money-saving decision on this data yet (or maybe I have because I thought my old boiler was hopelessly inefficient and expensive, but the figures proved me wrong) but I simply like having that level of insight into a major expenditure. I probably wouldn't pay much over the odds for a good interface, but I do get very irritated by bad web design. So is anyone else as good as OVO?


And if you are reading this OVO, why can't you offer a competitive deal so I can stay with you?

dj1471

In general yes you can switch to different tariffs with your existing supplier via comparison sites and receive switch incentives, but check the T&Cs to be sure.

Robin9

PennineAcute wrote: »

Some people are visual people. They need to see things so they can understand. For example, I knew my shower was a 9kW shower, but that was it.

After I saw how much my shower was costing me, for a lovely 20 minute shower, I have managed to gain control of my electricity costs.

So for me, my IHD has enabled me to save money. It is also easier for me to enter my daily usage into my spreadsheet (that is an added bonus).

But having done it and found the savings does your IHD serve any useful purpose now? Even more if you found a swop that would save you say £50 would you keep the IHD if it was not compatible with the new supplier ?

PennineAcute

Robin9 wrote: »

But having done it and found the savings does your IHD serve any useful purpose now? Even more if you found a swop that would save you say £50 would you keep the IHD if it was not compatible with the new supplier ?

My meters were installed in March 17, and have since moved twice. Yes, my IHD is still plugged in, as I use this to enter my daily gas and electric usage into my spreadsheet.

So, yes I have saved money and for me, it has done its purpose.