Payouts for homes failed by 'dumb' smart meters

Martin Lewis: 1 in 5 not working properly

- By Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

FAULTY smart meters may soon mean households are entitled to compensation from suppliers - as Ofgem reveals the potential grounds for claims.

The energy regulator proposed new rules that would mean payouts are given for delays to installations of the electricity and gas usage trackers, and to those left without connectivity.

It comes as part of a crackdown on broken smart meters, with Ofgem involved in enforcing repair or replacement of more than 600,000 of the devices since July last year.

It is thought that millions of smart meters have been left in so-called “dumb mode”, where readings are not automatically sent to suppliers.