Switching from OVO 2 yr fix

graham47

My OVO 2 year fix via CEC is ending soon.
I’ve done a comparison and as expected Yorkshire energy tariff is cheaper.

However, my worry is regarding the smart meter going ‘dumb’ and what exactly that means.
So, can anyone who has switched from OVO, with a smart meter tell me if the IHD still gives meter readings ?
I’m more than happy to go back to giving monthly readings manual but the gas meter is outside, in a very inaccessible position for me so I’d struggle to read it.

Terry98

I moved from OVO a few months ago and was worried about the smart meters becoming dumb with the new supplier.

I have found out it's no problem at all reading the smart meters manually every month although my new supplier only needs them every quarter. A monthly reading gives me a better idea on my usage but after the winter I think I will revert to quarterly reads. My new supplier has promised to update my meters remotely soon but we will see if it happens.

This is what OVO says about IHD's when you move supplier

If you have an IHD, and your new provider uses exactly the same make of meters as your old supplier, you should be able to carry on using it. You’ll be able to read your consumption amounts in kWh, but your new supplier will need to reprogramme your meter with their rates and your new tariff before the IHD can tell you how much you’re spending on your energy.

Talk to your new supplier about this – or ask them whether they can offer you a replacement at no extra charge.

https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/can-i-switch-energy-suppliers-if-ive-got-a-smart-meter#what-about-my-in-home-display-or-smart-gateway

graham47

Thanks @Terry98 for the reply.
Can I just confirm that when you say you read the meters every month...are you reading them directly at the meter or via the IHD ?

Terry98

I read them directly at the meter.

You say your gas meter is very inaccessible,why not ask your new supplier your options being committing to them?

Mister_G

I have a Secure Liberty 100 fitted by Ovo. I moved away some years ago now, but the IHD still displays consumption in kWh/day/week/month/year.

The money information is zero as it has not been programmed with the unit rate by my later suppliers.

The cumulative consumption data (ie. meter reading) is identical to that displayed on the actual meter itself.

Terry98

Mister_G wrote: »

I have a Secure Liberty 100 fitted by Ovo. I moved away some years ago now, but the IHD still displays consumption in kWh/day/week/month/year.

The money information is zero as it has not been programmed with the unit rate by my later suppliers.

The cumulative consumption data (ie. meter reading) is identical to that displayed on the actual meter itself.

I have fished out my old IHD from OVO and looked at the cumulative consumption data and the Electricity figure in MwH is the same as the meter reading.

However the Gas cumulative figure, although showing MWh, does not correspond. Any ideas why?

Nick_C

Terry98 wrote: »

I have fished out my old IHD from OVO and looked at the cumulative consumption data and the Electricity figure in MwH is the same as the meter reading.

However the Gas cumulative figure, although showing MWh, does not correspond. Any ideas why?

Think you mean KWh.

The gas consumption is measured in cubic metres and converted to KWh using a formula based on current calorific value, which can vary slightly from one quarter to the next. If the discrepancy between your IHD and your bill is small, then this could explain it.

When you give a gas meter reading to your new supplier, they will need the cubic meter figure. I don't think the Ovo IHD gives this?

Mister_G

I only have electric, so the gas side of my IHD is blank.

Terry98

Nick_C wrote: »

Think you mean KWh.

The gas consumption is measured in cubic metres and converted to KWh using a formula based on current calorific value, which can vary slightly from one quarter to the next. If the discrepancy between your IHD and your bill is small, then this could explain it.

When you give a gas meter reading to your new supplier, they will need the cubic meter figure. I don't think the Ovo IHD gives this?

Thank you for your reply. For both the electric and gas the cumulative figure is shown in MWh but it's easy to convert it back to kWh for electric by moving a couple of decimal places.For instance the IHD is currently showing a cumulative figure of approx 15.000 MWh and the meter is showing 0015000.

For Gas the IHD is currently showing approx 30.000 MWh but the meter is showing approx 02700 which bears no relation to the IHD figure.

brewerdave

Terry98 wrote: »

Thank you for your reply. For both the electric and gas the cumulative figure is shown in MWh but it's easy to convert it back to kWh for electric by moving a couple of decimal places.For instance the IHD is currently showing a cumulative figure of approx 15.000 MWh and the meter is showing 0015000.

For Gas the IHD is currently showing approx 30.000 MWh but the meter is showing approx 02700 which bears no relation to the IHD figure.

For gas I suspect that the IHD is converting cu m to kwh by multiplying by a standardised conversion factor of 11.1 ish ??

Terry98

brewerdave wrote: »

For gas I suspect that the IHD is converting cu m to kwh by multiplying by a standardised conversion factor of 11.1 ish ??

Thanks. If I divide the current IHD figure by 10.97 I get the current meter reading but I have got no idea if that is the correct way of converting it.