Households experiencing delays or failed installations of smart meters will now be eligible for £40 compensation as per the newly implemented regulations effective today. If there is a delay of more than six weeks for a smart meter appointment, households will automatically qualify for the compensation. Additionally, compensation will be provided if an installation appointment fails due to the supplier’s fault or if a supplier fails to address a reported issue within five working days.
The updated smart meter rules, which began on February 23, aim to facilitate the widespread deployment of smart meters in households across the UK. Government statistics indicate that over 70% of UK households currently have smart meters or advanced meters installed.
According to Ofgem, more than 900,000 previously malfunctioning smart meters have been repaired or replaced since 2024. Melissa Giordano, Ofgem’s deputy director of systems and processes, emphasized the benefits of smart meters, including accurate billing, cost-effective tariffs, and real-time energy consumption monitoring.
Amid expectations of lower energy bills this spring, Cornwall Insight forecasts a decrease in the Ofgem price cap from £1,758 to £1,641 annually for a typical dual fuel home. Ofgem is set to announce the upcoming price cap on February 25, covering the period from April 1 to June 30.
Consumers on a standard variable rate (SVR) tariff will be covered by the Ofgem price cap unless they have a fixed-rate deal. While there isn’t a total cap on energy costs, the Ofgem price cap restricts the charges for gas and electricity units and standing charges, which are fixed daily connection fees.
The price cap serves as an indicator of the expected annual expenditure for an average energy user.
