Households experiencing delays or unsuccessful installations of smart meters will now be compensated £40 under newly implemented regulations effective from today. Qualifying circumstances for compensation include waiting over six weeks for a smart meter appointment.
Additionally, compensation will be provided if an installation appointment fails due to a supplier-controlled fault, or if a supplier fails to address a reported issue within five working days. These stricter rules aim to support the ongoing deployment of smart meters in UK households.
Presently, over 70% of households in the UK have smart meters or advanced meters, according to government data. The regulatory body reports that over 900,000 previously non-operational 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, cheaper tariffs, and real-time energy usage tracking. She stressed the importance of swift and effective smart meter installations for all customers, highlighting the new rules’ role in setting supplier expectations, enhancing performance, and safeguarding consumer rights.
Meanwhile, energy bills are expected to decrease this spring, with Cornwall Insight predicting a drop in the Ofgem price cap from £1,758 to £1,641 annually for a typical dual fuel household. Ofgem is set to announce its next price cap on February 25, covering the period from April 1 to June 30.
Consumers on standard variable rate (SVR) tariffs will benefit from the Ofgem price cap, while those not locked into fixed-rate deals will be covered. It is essential to note that while there is a price cap on units of gas and electricity, the total energy bill remains based on actual consumption.
The Ofgem price cap limits charges for gas and electricity units as well as standing charges, fixed daily fees for energy network connection. This figure provides an estimate of annual expenses for an average energy user.
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