OVO Energy 4+

UPDATE…..summary costs now reappeared.

This is a good and comprehensive app. I have been using it for 9 months and it’s level of detail is very useful. Shows your plan, usage/consumption, details bills, payments and payment details. Can be seen monthly and yearly. You can even change your direct debit payment amount and the date on which it is taken. However. The usage ‘page’ has changed since the last update. The usage in units of energy (gas/elec) remains but the usage in cost has been removed. I suspect that this is because the usage cost only showed exactly that, usage cost. Which may have confused some when trying to make that match your actual bills which also include standing charges and vat. In other words the actual bill would be higher than just the usage cost. Given that all energy companies have significantly increased their standing charges this ‘difference’ between the two now really stands out. That’s because these standing charges are approaching £400 pa (£30pcm) ish! I myself found the usage cost page very useful and ideally would like it reinstated. As it does help one see in monetary terms exactly what the usage is costing you. The only other way now is to go through your bills and add it up yourself. Which is not helpful. UPDATE The usage data is now appearing again. So have updated the review to 5 stars given the app is now as comprehensive as it could be.

Good App on iPhone

This app works well on an iPhone where it allows you to see your historical home energy consumption and your current account balance. Unfortunately, the app has never worked on my iPad Pro - it gets stuck on the loading screen stating it’s ‘taking longer than usual’. This is unfortunate since an iPad would be the ideal place to format and display energy data on the larger iPad screen. If this issue was fixed, I would give this app a better star rating. For now, it seems, the OVO web site seems the only viable way to see your energy data on an iPad (for me at least).

Update: The app now works on my iPad - nice to know the company are addressing customer concerns. The app also allows you to make a payment via either Apple or Google Pay. This is a very convenient and quick way to top up your account. Nice one.

Developer Response ,

Hey James,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. We'll be sure to pass this feedback onto the team.
Thanks,
Eva

Full tariff information not viewable on the website after installing this app.

Once you install this app, you can no longer log on to the website from your phone. Trying that just re-opens the app. However in the app, it says that you have to go to the website to see all the available tariffs. Means you have to use another device without the app to actually log in to the website. Madness. I’m also frustrated with trying to fight the direct debit algorithm which sets my monthly payments above what I use. It doesn’t take account of winter fuel payments. Having to request refunds is tedious and that can force the monthly minimum up even higher. The simplistic payment smoothing system just doesn’t work for many customers. Other companies allow you to opt out of this. Ovo should too. I moved years ago, but the app will not let me forget my old account. It defaults to my old address (which it has no data for) so I have to waste time changing it to my new one every time. Could be better!

Update: Ovo replied claiming these issues were fixed in the latest update. I was already using the latest version. Some of my concerns are to do with Ovo policy - like not allowing customers to pay in full every month without ‘smoothing’. The developer should be feeding this info back to management directly, not fobbing me off with nonsense. And btw Ovo: no, I’m not going to waste time emailing you to explain the exact same info you have here. Do better!

Developer Response ,

I'm very sorry to hear that the app isn't working for you, Brightis. Our latest app version of the app should fix this issue. Please try updating your app to the latest version. If this still doesn't work, please email a summary of your issue and your account number to ovoapp.support@ovo.com. Please don't share any sensitive information. You can also find more information on our EV/Charge Anytime offer here: https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/charge-anytime-cars-and-chargers ^Jasper