How to use your smart meter and In-Home Display to save money.
Your smart meter comes with a handy digital device called an In-Home Display (IHD), which can help you keep track of your home’s energy use.
It shows how much energy you’re using in real time, and how much it’s costing in £ and p. It’s an effective way to help you see where you can make changes to lower your energy bills.
How to start saving
Step 1: Find your benchmark
Check your IHD when you’re using the devices and appliances you’d usually have on. Make a note of how much energy your IHD says you’re using, and what it’s costing. This’ll be your benchmark.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Step 1: Find your benchmark
Check your IHD when you’re using the devices and appliances you’d usually have on. Make a note of how much energy your IHD says you’re using, and what it’s costing. This’ll be your benchmark.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Step 2: Test an appliance
Pick an appliance you want to test and turn it on. Now check your IHD. Within a few seconds, it’ll update the electricity usage so you can see how much energy the appliance uses. And how much it costs. Gas usage takes up to 30 minutes to update.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Step 2: Test an appliance
Pick an appliance you want to test and turn it on. Now check your IHD. Within a few seconds, it’ll update the electricity usage so you can see how much energy the appliance uses. And how much it costs. Gas usage takes up to 30 minutes to update.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Step 3: Compare the difference
Look at your energy use with the appliance on and compare it to your benchmark usage. The difference shows you how much that appliance uses. For example, if your benchmark was £0.24 per hour and this went up to £0.96 per hour with the appliance on, the appliance costs £0.72 per hour to run.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Step 3: Compare the difference
Look at your energy use with the appliance on and compare it to your benchmark usage. The difference shows you how much that appliance uses. For example, if your benchmark was £0.24 per hour and this went up to £0.96 per hour with the appliance on, the appliance costs £0.72 per hour to run.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Step 4: Make changes – and save
Once you’ve worked out what your devices and appliances are individually costing, you can make adjustments to your energy use. Like unplugging appliances rather than leaving them on standby. Even the smallest change can add up to a welcome saving. And using energy when the IHD’s off-peak indicator light is on, means you can take advantage of lower off-peak rates.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Step 4: Make changes – and save
Once you’ve worked out what your devices and appliances are individually costing, you can make adjustments to your energy use. Like unplugging appliances rather than leaving them on standby. Even the smallest change can add up to a welcome saving. And using energy when the IHD’s off-peak indicator light is on, means you can take advantage of lower off-peak rates.
To be able to see YouTube videos, we have to ask you to accept Targeting Cookies within your
Ready to go smart?
Discover the benefits of an IHD
See your energy use in real time
In kWh (the unit used to measure energy) and in £ and p.
Know what your energy is costing
See daily, weekly, or monthly costs – so, you’ll know what you’ll pay each month.
Easily check your meter readings
You can see your readings any time in a couple of taps.
Spot the biggest energy users in your home
To help you make changes that could save you money.
Set energy budgets
Help manage your monthly bills.
Get alerts for high usage
If you’re close to the energy limit you’ve set.
Getting to know your IHD
When your OVO engineer installs your smart meter, they’ll also set up your IHD. They’ll show you how to use it and leave behind a user’s guide. Keep it handy in case you want to explore more of your IHD’s money-saving features. And if you need help, it’s just a click away.
Getting to know your IHD
When your OVO engineer installs your smart meter, they’ll also set up your IHD. They’ll show you how to use it and leave behind a user’s guide. Keep it handy in case you want to explore more of your IHD’s money-saving features. And if you need help, it’s just a click away.
Manage your energy anywhere with the OVO app
In a couple of taps you can learn how your home uses energy, track the cost, and unlock exclusive discounts and rewards by signing up to Beyond. Terms and eligibility apply.
Manage your energy anywhere with the OVO app
In a couple of taps you can learn how your home uses energy, track the cost, and unlock exclusive discounts and rewards by signing up to Beyond. Terms and eligibility apply.
Ready to go smart?
Frequently asked questions about your IHD
An IHD comes with your smart meter – so it won’t cost you anything extra. And if it’s faulty, we’ll replace it for free.
It depends on which IHD model comes with your smart meter. Our engineer will tell you whether your IHD can be connected to your home WiFi when they install your smart meter. If it can, you can ask them to pair it, or they can show you how to do it yourself.
An IHD that connects to WiFi (often called a Consumer Access Device, or CAD) has the following benefits:
- If you have any issues with your IHD, we can usually detect the problem straight away
- You can see your home's energy use in real time
- It makes any future software updates easier
For the best connection, keep the IHD in the same room as your smart meter or within 15 metres of it. If you’re connecting through your WiFi router, it should be within a similar range.
If you have a smart meter and you move to a new OVO tariff or prices change for any other reason, we’ll update your In-Home Display so that any changes are shown automatically.
The majority of IHDs we provide don't come with a built-in rechargeable battery. They all come with a mains power adapter and it should always be left connected to the power supply.
If you have any problems after installation, check out our easy-to-follow troubleshooting guide. It covers many simple solutions to help you fix most common issues. If you still can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us.