Electric Metering at Old Oaks

Quick Start Guide
Download / print the Metpow guide here

Plus FAQ here

Step 1 – Before you arrive, download the Metpow app* in readiness – go to the app store on your mobile device (iOS or Play). Search for Metpow (green plug symbol).
Step 2 – You will need to create an account, by adding basic details. This can be done at home to ensure a smoother and quicker connection on arrival
Step 3 – On arrival to your pitch – plug into the electric on your pitch
Step 4 – Open the Metpow app on your phone’s home screen. Click ‘Scan QR code’. Fill in your departure date.
Step 5 – Set up payment account. Save. You will now need to verify it’s you.  If you are given the option to verity via text, choose this (a code will be texted to you).  Some phones will immediately take you your banking app to verify.  A minimum of £10 will be ‘pre-authorised’ by your bank (the amount of pre-auth will depend on the length of your stay)*
Step 6 – Follow any further instructions in the app.  Your electric supply is activated.  Check the app at any time to see how much electric you are using / have used

*NB.  This money doesn’t physically leave your account. It is being ‘held’.  If you do not go over the allocated number of kwh per night, the pre-authorised amount will be released when you leave.  If you use over the allocated kwh, any amount owed will be taken after you leave.

Electric Metering on Pitches 2025 ~ Fair Usage Policy 

The day has come for Old Oaks to face the reality of rising electricity prices and take action. It’s not something we ever envisaged we would have to entertain, but like all domestic users, businesses have faced the same rises in electric (and all utilities), in the past few years and on a park of our size, the increases have been nothing short of astronomical.

What’s the big change and why?

Some of you already know that Old Oaks has installed electric metering on touring pitches for this season. Many of you will not. Unfortunately, we’re all affected by rising energy prices and Old Oaks is no different.  Not only has the cost per unit of power risen by around 25% (for many parks it’s way higher), modern vans now have lots of additional technologies installed, such as air conditioning, underfloor heating, full sized fridges and freezers, etc – all heavy consumers of power and often nowhere near as energy efficient as most domestic applicances. And so, through careful analysis, we are now aware that not only have energy prices risen, but usage by some guests has increased too (in some cases it’s doubled).

Lots of us have no real knowledge of how much power our gadgets and equipment are using and we’re making changes so that we can all get to grips with how we can make changes and become more aware.  One guest sent us this Youtube vlog which is a bit of an eye-opener….

There are many questions about the new system, not all of which we have the answers to yet but if you know anything about Old Oaks, you will know that we are always open, honest and upfront and so we are here to help and to explain as best we can, make changes when needed and always open to listening and learning.

See the bottom of this page for the latest stats as we gather data.

No pitch price rises

Electric has always been included in your pitch price and this isn’t changing.  However, we don’t feel it’s fair for the majority of our guests who are environmentally aware and careful with what they use, to subsidise or be penalised for, the few that are consistently high users. Nor do we think Old Oaks should foot the bill for the minority.

We have spoken with lots of Tranquil Parks whilst deciding if electric metering is the way forward.  Those who have already gone down this route have reported that after some initial concerns, the majority of guests are on board with the concept and understand the reasons behind it.  However, there is background chatter on social media from the minority that this is ‘money-making’ move by parks. We can categorically state that it really isn’t the case.  It is not legal to make a profit by providing guests with electricity.

In simple terms, we are asking guests to think as carefully about the energy they are consuming at our park, in the same way that they do at home.

How much electric is included?

12kwh per day ~ March & Nov
10kwh per day ~ May, Sept & Oct
8kwh per day ~ June, July, Aug
*NB these are all subject to change as we learn more about average usage

We will include what we consider to be a higher than average amount of kwh’s (units) of power per night (midnight to midnight). The allocated kwh per day figures have been arrived at by looking at our calculations of the average used per pitch in 2024 and upping them by a few kwh (more than some other parks of a similar nature). This will be adjusted up or down, if needed, when we have more data to work with. Bear in mind this an average, with some folks using considerably more and some less.

We will adopt a type of dynamic allocation policy, which will be adjusted as we learn about average usage across the seasons.  It will be fair and transparent and will reflect what is a fair usage system. Guests using more than the allocated amount per day, they will be charged the exact same price per kwh as Old Oaks pay to British Gas, plus small a very small additional charge which covers payment gateway fees. Initially, and to soften the blow, we will not charge a connection or equipment charge, nor take into account our standing charges, climate levy charges or other fees that we pay as a park. If we decide to make changes later down the line, you will see this reflected on this page.

As an example, if a guest uses 15kwh a day in March, they will simply be charged for the extra 3kwh, equating to approximately 75p (our current rates are between 26p and 29p per kwh across the 2 supplies). You may know it is not legal to make a profit by passing on electric charges. We are permitted to add a small charge for the use of the new equipment; however, we will not be doing this in 2025.

Our price to you, if you go over the allowance, is 25p per kwh, which is an average for the 2 power supplies on the park.

Awareness, knowledge and responsibility

As many of you will know, Old Oaks has always had sustainability and care for the environment at the heart of everything we do. We were honoured to receive the AA Sustainable Campsite of the Year recently and we will continue to reduce our impact on the planet, wherever we can.

Our new, digital, automated system will allow both guests and the park to know exactly how much power is being used and where usage is highest in real time (updates every 2-3 mins). This is going to help us all make informed choices and understand why some folks or technology uses more or less than others. We can all make informed choices and little changes that will help us all and the environment.

Learning curve & how it works 

During the period after installation, we are learning how this all works and how we will tweak things if needed. For example, to start with, in the colder months, we have allocated 12kwh (units) of power per pitch, per night. This is a higher number of units than the average used in the colder months (based on our own calculations of what was used per night in 2024) and higher than a lot of parks we have looked at.

For complete transparency, Old Oaks pay an average of 25p per khw (unit) across our 2 supplies and you will pay the same per unit for any power used, over and above the allocated units (which may change as we learn what is the average and what is fair). Despite us paying a monthly charge for the meters and equipment, we will not be passing this onto our guests at the current time.  For example, if a guests uses 20 kwh of power a day (24 hours) in a 3 day stay in March, they will be charged the difference (60 minus 36 x 25p) – approx £6.  If they stay within the 12 kwh per day, they will be charged nothing.

In short though, the system works via a small piece of equipment attached to the existing electricity supply on your pitch.  On arrival you plug into the equipment, scan a QR code and input your card details (in case you go over the allocated quota of power).  Later in the year, this will be simplified further when there will be an app. Don’t worry if this sounds alien, we can help on arrival if necessary 😊

Reinvestment in park improvements

In our conversations with other parks, we know that electric metering has made a huge difference to guest behaviour and awareness, as they make small changes, (if they choose to), and reduce usage.  This not only is more environmentally responsible but it means savings for the park which will be used for improvements for guests in the future and makes it easier to make financial decisions on whether or not to reinvest or hold back in case of further energy rises.

What does this all mean for me?

• For the majority of guests, it will make no difference to what you have already paid for your pitch. Only higher users of power will see a difference / additional charges via the app
• Fair usage policy means that guests who are being responsible and aware are not subsidising those who are high users;
• Savings will be reinvested in better facilities and improvements elsewhere
• Guests will only pay for usage (units / kwh) over and above the stated allocated units. This will be charged at the same rate as Old Oaks pays, plus a very small payment processing fee
• Guests can monitor is real time (via the app*), exactly what electric they are using and work out devices / equipment are power hungry or use little – make informed choices
• * The fully functioning app is not yet available (hopefully by the summer) and so currently, guests can log into the website and see what they are using each day

What does this all mean for Old Oaks?

• Electric prices have only been going one way…. up.  This impacts all parks decisions on which improvements are viable each year and potentially holds back planned improvements. We wish to maintain the high standards that our guests deserve
• Future proofing and sustaining our business as you and we know it
• Accurate, real-time monitoring of power usage on all parts of the park
• Identify any faults or issues as they arise
• Environmentally aware parks can help to reduce usage in line with current green initiatives and ongoing climate change concerns

And just to reiterate again, we believe that the majority of considerate users of electric will NOT be affected by additional charges, but it will also be a learning curve for you, and us, as we get grip on how much we are using, and sometimes wasting.

Thank you for your understanding.

Frequently asked questions including a month by month analysis of the stastics we have so far for 2025 here