Why choose OVO Energy?
OVO Energy is one of the biggest energy suppliers in the UK, focusing on providing renewable energy to customers across the UK. The supplier has grown significantly in the past few years, helped by it acquiring the domestic customer base of supplier SSE in January 2020.
OVO Energy's plans focus on fair pricing and helping customers understand their carbon footprint. The supplier offers home energy plans for owners of electric vehicles, priced so that they can charge their vehicles at home at any time without breaking the bank.
From smart meters to electric vehicle chargers, OVO also offers its customers the green energy and tools they need for their journey to zero-carbon.
Reasons to choose OVO include:
- Security of a big six supplier
- Good range of tariffs available
- Strong customer service record
- Services that go beyond energy supply.
OVO Energy tariffs
OVO offers a fairly straightforward range of home energy tariffs. At the time of writing, these are mainly versions of fixed tariffs with one standard variable tariff. The fixed tariffs run for either one or two years and can be taken alone or with extras like boiler cover and heating control (smart thermostat installation).
OVO Energy and Boost prepayment energy
In 2015, OVO Energy started offering prepaid energy tariffs under the brand Smart PAYG+ in collaboration with Pay Monthly energy. In 2017, OVO relaunched the offering as a standalone supplier named Boost, offering tariffs exclusively to prepayment meter customers.
Does OVO charge exit fees?
OVO does charge exit fees on its fixed tariffs in line with other energy suppliers. At the time of writing, these are either £75 or £95 per fuel depending on the length of the tariff, so it’s worth making sure you’re comfortable with the tariff and how long it runs for before you sign up.
Have OVO prices risen in 2024?
OVO’s prices on standard variable tariffs have increased once in 2024 in line with Ofgem's energy price cap, but then come down twice throughout the summer. However, they've since risen again with the increase of the price cap to £1,717 in October.
Can I do anything about OVO price rises?
If you’re on a standard variable tariff, your prices will rise and fall with the price cap (though it’s not a true cap because the more you use, the more you’ll pay and vice versa). There are fixed deals on the market available to switch to, though. See what's available by entering your postcode to compare energy prices now.
OVO Energy renewable energy
OVO offers renewable energy through its fixed tariffs but predominantly as a free “extra” rather than as standard. For instance, at the time of writing, customers can sign up to its 1 Year Fixed + Greener Electricity tariff which includes renewable electricity, as opposed to its 1 Year Fixed tariff, which doesn’t.
Additionally, in April 2023, OVO announced the launch of an ambitious new programme designed to help customers achieve "true" net zero by dispensing with REGOs (which can give a false picture of how green an energy tariff actually is) in its tariffs. Instead, it plans to help customers cut their carbon emissions along with their energy bills by:
Arranging home visits by Energy Experts to offer customers advice on making their homes more energy-efficient
Offering credit rewards via the Power Move service to all customers to encourage energy use at times when the grid is under less pressure
Providing customers with free smart energy tech (such as smart thermostats) each year.
OVO Energy 2024 reviews
OVO has a TrustPilot score of 4.4 from nearly 165,000 reviews, as of June 2024. Engineering visits and installations are particularly praised, in addition to overall customer service.
Does OVO offer other products and services?
Apart from supplying customers with energy, OVO offers other products and services, mainly focusing on boilers. At the time of writing, these include:
Boiler and heating cover
Boiler and home repairs (e.g. electrics or plumbing)
Boiler servicing.
Does OVO Energy offer energy efficiency products?
OVO is investing a huge amount into energy efficiency. It currently offers:
Heat pump installation
Smart thermostat installation
New boiler installation
Solar panel installation.
It also offers a comprehensive home EV charging service. Customers can get a home charger installed and then sign up to OVO’s Charge Anytime feature, which can be added to any OVO tariff. This allows customers to charge their EV at a low rate of 7p per kWh at any time of the day or night for maximum convenience. This differs significantly from most EV or time-of-use tariffs where the low rate usually runs overnight.
Can I get a smart meter with OVO Energy?
You can get a smart meter with OVO Energy - all you need to do is book a free appointment via the supplier's website.
How do I contact OVO?
OVO has a large online forum where it may be able to find the answers to any queries you have, but if you still need to speak to someone you can:
Online webchat
Phone - pay monthly customers can call 0330 303 5063 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday, Pay As You Go customers can call 0330 175 9669 between 8am and 8pm Monday-Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday-Sunday
Email - hello@ovoenergy.com
SignVideo for BSL users - 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday.
Does OVO have an app?
OVO does have a mobile app which allows customers to submit meter readings, see how much energy they've used, get spending estimates and download statements. They can also check account details and get in touch with OVO's customer service team.
How do I cancel my OVO Energy supply?
You can cancel your OVO Energy supply by switching to another supplier. You can do this for free if you’re on a standard variable tariff, but if you’re on a fixed deal you may have to pay an early exit fee.
Which providers are similar to OVO?
Any of the big six suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus or ScottishPower) could reasonably be described as similar to OVO due to the breadth of tariffs and other services they all offer. However, they don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach, so make sure you compare the things that are most important to you before signing up to any tariffs.
Is OVO going bust?
It’s very unlikely that OVO will go bust. However, the energy market is challenging and unpredictable at the moment and there is a certain level of risk to some suppliers - find out why in our energy market Q&A guide.
