OVO/SSE THTC

Hazel50726

Hello,
Looking for some advice if possible.  My parents are nearly at the end of their fixed rate term (due to change early Feb). There monthly bill has always been high as they have remained (rightly or wrongly) with SSE THTC.  I've now seen a post on another forum saying that OVO is ending support for THTC in March 2023. 

My questions are, should they look at getting their metre changed now to try to give them a better shot at a better deal and open up the market to them, even though prices are really high?
OR
Should they bide their time with OVO/SSE and see what they offer if THTC is being phased out (as I assume that's what will happen, although I've no idea what offer OVO may make to customers who have THTC - will they change the metre/replace heaters/charger the customer?) and therefore, should they tie themselves into another 2 year tariff?  The 2 year tariff is the same as the standard rate and I'm assuming that as long as there is not a penalty to stop the tariff early then they could go with a cheaper option, that is, if a cheaper tariff is on offer?

Many thanks in advance for any advice!
Haz

QrizB

Welcome to the forum!

Hazel50726 said:

The 2 year tariff is the same as the standard rate and I'm assuming that as long as there is not a penalty to stop the tariff early then they could go with a cheaper option, that is, if a cheaper tariff is on offer?

What tariff are they being offered? Can you share the details here, together with their typical usage at each rate?

QrizB

Hazel50726 said:

I've now seen a post on another forum saying that OVO is ending support for THTC in March 2023. 

FWIW OVO's own FAQ says that THTC support will end in December 2023 (which, I guess, is why they can offer a 2-year fixed rate):

https://forum.ovoenergy.com/my-account-140/radio-teleswitch-rts-shutdown-sunset-faq-9040

If they don't get theiir metering changed to a more conventional system now, it looks like they will have to in December 2023.

Gerry1

What is their heating system?  Ovo certainly won't be replacing it !

If they have old style storage heaters that rely on daytime / evening boots because they are too small by today's standards it would probably be worth switching to Economy 7 and adding extra NSHs units or replacing the existing ones.

IF correctly programmed, modern High Heat Retention NSHs cost less to run because they don't leak expensive heat overnight and at times when it's not needed, although they're not cheap.

Restricted Meter Good Practice Guide

Hazel50726

QrizB said:

Welcome to the forum!

Hazel50726 said:

The 2 year tariff is the same as the standard rate and I'm assuming that as long as there is not a penalty to stop the tariff early then they could go with a cheaper option, that is, if a cheaper tariff is on offer?

What tariff are they being offered? Can you share the details here, together with their typical usage at each rate?

Hello QrizB,  SSE advised cheapest standard tariff is just shy of £3k and that is also cheapest overall tariff.  I think over the course of a year they average £180 per month.

Hazel50726

Gerry1 said:

What is their heating system?  Ovo certainly won't be replacing it !

If they have old style storage heaters that rely on daytime / evening boots because they are too small by today's standards it would probably be worth switching to Economy 7 and adding extra NSHs units or replacing the existing ones.

IF correctly programmed, modern High Heat Retention NSHs cost less to run because they don't leak expensive heat overnight and at times when it's not needed, although they're not cheap.

Hello Gerry1, They have storage heaters (7 in total), 2 are modern (replaced last year).

MWT

Hazel50726 said:

Hello Gerry1, They have storage heaters (7 in total), 2 are modern (replaced last year).

In this case, the age of the storage heater is less important than their heat storage capacity, if they were simply replaced with like-for-like sized models then even though new, they may still be under-sized if they wanted to move off of THTC.

learner21

My father has THTC supplied by SSE. OVO/SSE are ending support for this system in March 2023 according to their website, and I was told this by Home Energy Scotland. 
The supply to the storage heaters is controlled by SSE and is witched on through the night and at a point during daytime by SSE at their choosing  and this is metered at the lower rate 29.39p per Kwh, and standard rate is 40.26p per kwh (above price cap) with daily standing charge of 51.16p per day. This is from end Dec bill on tariff info. 
During Sept 22 (exc VAT) low rate was 22.75, std rate was 30.96 with standing charge 47.75
During Oct - Dec 22 (exc VAT) low rate was 24.63, std rate was 39.31 with standing charge 48.72

On the bill it says free to change suppliers - but when I tried to change him over pre energy crisis, he could not be changed to std eco 7 tarriffs unless we went and hired an electrician to remove the THTC meters and equipment and put it back to standard. 

He has not been contacted by SSE/OVO - and I do not want to make contact, but if they are withdrawing support at end of March - surely they should be telling customers about this? 

I'd be interested to hear what SSE/OVO have done for any other THTC customers. 

learner21

Gerry1 said:

What is their heating system?  Ovo certainly won't be replacing it !

If they have old style storage heaters that rely on daytime / evening boots because they are too small by today's standards it would probably be worth switching to Economy 7 and adding extra NSHs units or replacing the existing ones.

IF correctly programmed, modern High Heat Retention NSHs cost less to run because they don't leak expensive heat overnight and at times when it's not needed, although they're not cheap.

My father has old units - he had 3 storage heaters and 4 wall heaters - all the very old Dimplex models  I did have one changed to replace old failed unit to Dimplex Quantum, the largest one - I am guessing 2019. It is a very good storage heater. I agree OVO/SSE will not replace these - but they should be installing new meters etc as required. 
The one I had replaced had 2 electrical supplies - one from THTC and one from normal 240 - for control. His other 2 storage heaters only have the THTC supply, and all new heaters require dual supplies - with 1 supply for control.