Millions of Households at Risk of Faulty Smart Meters – How to Check Yours
- Around 10% of the UK’s 36 million smart meters are faulty, costing households more
- British Gas, Scottish Power, and EDF have the highest fault rates
- Check for blank screens or estimated bills to spot a faulty meter
Millions of households could be unknowingly losing money due to faulty smart meters. New data from Ofgem reveals that around 10% of the UK’s 36 million smart meters fail to send accurate readings to energy suppliers. This means affected households may be receiving estimated bills, potentially resulting in overcharging.
Suppliers with the Most Faulty Smart Meters:
- British Gas: 16.3%
- Scottish Power: 14.5%
- EDF: 12.1%
Meanwhile, E Energy (2.6%), Ovo (5.6%), and Utilita (5.8%) reported the lowest fault rates. In total, it’s estimated that 2.6 million households have faulty meters.
How to Check If Your Smart Meter Is Faulty
- Blank Screen: If your smart meter’s screen is blank or unresponsive, this could signal a problem.
- Higher Bills: Check if your energy bills are significantly higher than expected.
- Estimated Bills: Look for an ‘e’ mark on your bill, meaning it’s based on an estimate rather than real readings.
- Missing Smart Mark: Accurate bills should bear a ‘smart’ mark, confirming they use actual smart meter data.
What to Do If Your Meter Isn’t Working
Contact Your Energy Supplier: Report the issue to your provider as soon as possible.
Request an Engineer: Your supplier should send an engineer to inspect and repair the meter. Repairs are usually free if the meter is faulty.
Avoid Fees: If the smart meter is not faulty, you may be charged for the engineer visit, so monitor for any obvious issues before contacting your supplier.
Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented: “A faulty smart meter could be costing you money without you realising. Keep an eye on your bills and check for estimated readings. If in doubt, call your supplier—it’s often a free fix.”