Smart meters
The accuracy and reliability of smart meters come under the Measuring Instruments Directive 2016 (MID).1The Measuring Instrument Regulations 2016, as amended by the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, They are certified as accurate by the Office for Product Safety Standards (OPSS) to prove their accuracy upon manufacture only; unlike traditional, analogue meters which are deemed accurate for a certain period of time after manufacture. Smart meters are subject to annual in-service testing by the OPSS and replaced if found to be inaccurate or faulty. Smart meters contain self-regulation technology and alongside meter readings, they collect and send information about their environment to the supplier. This information is used to diagnose meter reading inaccuracies, unusual energy consumption, meter faults, theft, damage and tampering issues. Suppliers will take any appropriate action, triggered from the information gathered.
If you consider that there is a fault, you can raise it with the supplier to investigate. There are a myriad of indicators of a faulty smart meter, including:
•varying and erratic bills;
•high levels of consumption during non-peak times;
•similar or same levels of consumption during different times of day and night;
•high levels of consumption when appliances are switched off;
•energy consumption and bill (cost of unit or tariff) do not align;
•your meter reading has not changed or is going backwards.