A report reveals nearly four million smart meters in the UK are faulty, far exceeding initial estimates, prompting government and regulator action to prevent potential overcharging.
A recent report has highlighted a significant issue with the reliability of smart meters across the UK, revealing that almost four million of these devices were found to be faulty by the end of 2023. This figure starkly exceeds the initial estimate of 2.7 million dysfunctional units, raising alarms about the possibility of energy consumers being overcharged due to inaccurate billing. The revelation has prompted the government to call for immediate action from Ofgem, the industry regulator, urging it to enforce compliance among energy providers to rectify the issue and support affected customers.
Smart meters are instrumental in the UK’s effort to achieve net-zero emissions, providing users with real-time data on energy consumption with the aim of promoting energy-saving habits. When these meters malfunction, consumers may end up with estimated bills, which could lead to overpayment. Energy UK has reinforced that it is the suppliers’ responsibility to replace these faulty meters and has advised customers to submit manual meter readings until the issues are resolved.
Despite the challenges highlighted, the majority of the 35 million smart meters installed in Great Britain are reported to function correctly, contributing to the nation’s energy efficiency goals. Signs that a smart meter may not be working include unexpected billing amounts and non-responsive displays. Consumers facing such issues are encouraged to utilize resources such as Which?’s smart checker for diagnosis or to directly contact their energy supplier for a solution. While it is not compulsory to install a smart meter, suppliers are required to provide these devices when installing or replacing meters. For those experiencing billing concerns, reaching out to their provider is recommended to explore possible solutions and payment plans.
The government’s push for Ofgem to take decisive measures aims to ensure that the legal obligations concerning smart meter performance are met, with a focus on rectifying the current issues to avert inaccurate billing and further promote energy conservation among UK households.