Latest news with #smartmeter
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
UK households to receive automatic compensation for faulty smart meters
Households will receive automatic compensation for faulty smart meters and long wait times for repair under new rules proposed by the regulator. Ofgem has said energy suppliers must comply with its smart meter rules or have to pay out to households and microbusinesses. This will include customers who have to wait more than six weeks for an installation, or if a failed smart meter installation is due to something within a supplier's control. Suppliers will also need to provide a 'resolution' plan within five working days of a report of a faulty meter. Any meters not running in 'smart mode' - which send automatic readings to a supplier - will need to be fixed within 90 days. The current rules stipulate that an automatic payment of £40 has to be made to consumers if they fail to meet the minimum standards. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem said: 'We know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change. 'We're working closely with suppliers to drive improvement, and have seen more than 600,000 faulty smart meters reconnected since last July after we opened compliance engagement. 'This is only the beginning - with automatic compensation, faster fixes, and improved installation standards well on the way, getting a smart meter will be quicker and easier than ever.' Last year, Ofgem opened what it calls 'compliance engagement' with the six biggest suppliers for not meeting installation targets and meters not operating in smart mode. Two-thirds of homes in Britain have a smart meter, with more than 90 per cent working correctly, according to Ofgem. However, they are unlikely to meet the government target of installing the gadgets in 80 per cent of households by the end of this year. The latest official figures showed 38 million smart meters were in homes and small businesses by the end of 2027, around 66 per cent. Installation has also slowed, with 3 million meters installed last year, representing a 15 per cent fall from 2023. Smart meters are not compulsory and households are within their right to refuse, but they risk not having access to all energy tariffs. Some suppliers insist that the traditional meters are nearing the end of their life and will cease to work to convince households to move to smart meters. Approximately 6 per cent of households have had the meters installed but turned on 'dumb mode', which means they do not send readings to suppliers.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Consumers set to get compensation for faulty smart meters and install delays
Households will be able to get compensation from suppliers for delays to smart meter installations and for those left in 'dumb' mode from next year, the energy watchdog has announced. Ofgem has unveiled proposals to bring in rules that will see consumers eligible for £40 compensation if they have to wait more than six weeks for a smart meter installation, as well as faulty meters and those not operating in smart mode which are not fixed within 90 days. It comes as part of a crackdown on broken smart meters, which has seen the regulator help enforce the repair or replacement of more than 600,000 faulty meters since July last year. founder Martin Lewis welcomed the proposals as he said 'likely one in five' smart meters are faulty. It is thought that millions of smart meters have been left in so-called dumb mode, where they have poor connectivity or stop automatically transmitting readings. Ofgem said that by extending rules to cover poor connectivity, it will mean more consumers can get compensation. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change.' She added: 'These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.' The plans mean that suppliers will need to improve smart meter standards or pay out from early 2026, according to Ofgem. Mr Lewis said: 'Far too many smart meters, likely one in five, don't work as they should – a problem not just for all the homes with broken ones, but for the smart meter rollout. 'With so many dissatisfied customers, word-of-mouth is bad, so people tell their friends and neighbours not to get one. 'We need to shift firms' focus from just installing smart meters to promptly fixing those that are broken – not just meters that go into dumb mode, but crucially all elements, including in-home displays that stop working.' Under the new rules, micro-businesses will also be able to get compensation for smart meter issues. Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'Consumers are at the heart of our mission to deliver an energy retail market that works for everyone, as we accelerate towards a clean, homegrown power system to protect households against global fossil fuel price spikes. 'That's why the Government is taking action, alongside Ofgem, to ensure families are better protected when they get a smart meter installed.' U-switch said its research found that one in five households with a faulty smart meter had been waiting more than two years to have their device fixed. Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at said: 'Building consumer confidence is key to convincing the remaining households to get a smart meter. 'These proposals by Ofgem bring more focus on getting faulty smart meters fixed, and give consumers the confidence to take the plunge.' Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Households eligible to receive compensation for smart meter delays
Ofgem has unveiled proposals to allow households to claim £40 compensation for delays in smart meter installations or unresolved faults. Consumers will be eligible for compensation if a smart meter installation takes longer than six weeks or if a faulty meter is not fixed within 90 days. The initiative is part of a broader crackdown on malfunctioning smart meters, with an estimated one in five currently faulty or operating in 'dumb' mode. The new rules, which will also cover micro-businesses, are set to come into effect from early 2026 and aim to incentivise suppliers to improve service standards. Energy experts, including Martin Lewis and Uswitch, have welcomed the proposals, emphasising the importance of building consumer confidence in smart meter technology.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Consumers set to get compensation for faulty smart meters and install delays
Households will be able to get compensation from suppliers for delays to smart meter installations and for those left in 'dumb' mode from next year, the energy watchdog has announced. Ofgem has unveiled proposals to bring in rules that will see consumers eligible for £40 compensation if they have to wait more than six weeks for a smart meter installation, as well as faulty meters and those not operating in smart mode which are not fixed within 90 days. It comes as part of a crackdown on broken smart meters, which has seen the regulator help enforce the repair or replacement of more than 600,000 faulty meters since July last year. founder Martin Lewis welcomed the proposals as he said 'likely one in five' smart meters are faulty. It is thought that millions of smart meters have been left in so-called dumb mode, where they have poor connectivity or stop automatically transmitting readings. Ofgem said that by extending rules to cover poor connectivity, it will mean more consumers can get compensation. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change.' She added: 'These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.' The plans mean that suppliers will need to improve smart meter standards or pay out from early 2026, according to Ofgem. Mr Lewis said: 'Far too many smart meters, likely one in five, don't work as they should – a problem not just for all the homes with broken ones, but for the smart meter rollout. 'With so many dissatisfied customers, word-of-mouth is bad, so people tell their friends and neighbours not to get one. 'We need to shift firms' focus from just installing smart meters to promptly fixing those that are broken – not just meters that go into dumb mode, but crucially all elements, including in-home displays that stop working.' Under the new rules, micro-businesses will also be able to get compensation for smart meter issues. Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'Consumers are at the heart of our mission to deliver an energy retail market that works for everyone, as we accelerate towards a clean, homegrown power system to protect households against global fossil fuel price spikes. 'That's why the Government is taking action, alongside Ofgem, to ensure families are better protected when they get a smart meter installed.' U-switch said its research found that one in five households with a faulty smart meter had been waiting more than two years to have their device fixed. Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at said: 'Building consumer confidence is key to convincing the remaining households to get a smart meter. 'These proposals by Ofgem bring more focus on getting faulty smart meters fixed, and give consumers the confidence to take the plunge.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Consumers set to get compensation for faulty smart meters and install delays
Households will be able to get compensation from suppliers for delays to smart meter installations and for those left in 'dumb' mode from next year, the energy watchdog has announced. Ofgem has unveiled proposals to bring in rules that will see consumers eligible for £40 compensation if they have to wait more than six weeks for a smart meter installation, as well as faulty meters and those not operating in smart mode which are not fixed within 90 days. It comes as part of a crackdown on broken smart meters, which has seen the regulator help enforce the repair or replacement of more than 600,000 faulty meters since July last year. founder Martin Lewis welcomed the proposals as he said 'likely one in five' smart meters are faulty. It is thought that millions of smart meters have been left in so-called dumb mode, where they have poor connectivity or stop automatically transmitting readings. Ofgem said that by extending rules to cover poor connectivity, it will mean more consumers can get compensation. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change.' She added: 'These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.' The plans mean that suppliers will need to improve smart meter standards or pay out from early 2026, according to Ofgem. Mr Lewis said: 'Far too many smart meters, likely one in five, don't work as they should – a problem not just for all the homes with broken ones, but for the smart meter rollout. 'With so many dissatisfied customers, word-of-mouth is bad, so people tell their friends and neighbours not to get one. 'We need to shift firms' focus from just installing smart meters to promptly fixing those that are broken – not just meters that go into dumb mode, but crucially all elements, including in-home displays that stop working.' Under the new rules, micro-businesses will also be able to get compensation for smart meter issues. Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: ' Consumers are at the heart of our mission to deliver an energy retail market that works for everyone, as we accelerate towards a clean, homegrown power system to protect households against global fossil fuel price spikes. 'That's why the Government is taking action, alongside Ofgem, to ensure families are better protected when they get a smart meter installed.' U-switch said its research found that one in five households with a faulty smart meter had been waiting more than two years to have their device fixed. Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at said: 'Building consumer confidence is key to convincing the remaining households to get a smart meter. 'These proposals by Ofgem bring more focus on getting faulty smart meters fixed, and give consumers the confidence to take the plunge.'
