Just like traditional meters smart meters are just as accurate, but of course from time to time technical equipment can experience faults and errors.

Although there haven’t been many reports of widespread inaccuracies when it comes to smart meters, there have been reports from some, so in this guide, we’ll help you identify what to look out for when trying to identify the accuracy of your meter.

How Accurate Are Smart Meters?

As mentioned overall smart meters are accurate and there has been no widespread issues reported.

However, since there has been no national survey or research conducted on their accuracy, it’s difficult to establish just how many smart meters have experienced problems.

However, a BEIS study from back in November 2018 found that ‘74% of consumers reported they were satisfied with their overall smart meter experience a year after installation’.

In addition, by law, all smart meters have to be certified by the Office for Product Safety and Standards to prove their accuracy, but if you do think there’s a fault, you can always report and it to your energy supplier and air your concerns.

How To Identify An Inaccurate Smart Meter

If you suspect that your smart meter isn’t accurate, the best thing to do is arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and ask the following questions:

• What tariff are you on and has it recently changed?
• Has your energy consumption increased? Maybe the season has changed or you have a new appliance?

Typically, you’ll be able to easily answer the above, but you may still suspect a problem.

Here’s how you can test this for yourself:

• At night, read your meter and take a note of its details.
• Use a small amount of electricity (e.g., boil a full kettle).
• Then check that the numbers have gone up on the correct display corresponding with night time payments. If it goes up on the incorrect display, you can inquire with your supplier about this to have it amended.

Please bear in mind that no matter how much energy you actually consume, there is a daily standing charge.

A standing charge is added to most gas and electricity bills. It’s a fixed daily amount that you have to pay, no matter how much energy you use.

It’s also worth noting that your energy bill may have increased in response to the new energy price cap, this is updated twice each year. You can check the latest Energy Price Cap here.

Find out how much electricity each of your appliances uses by the hour and daily in our guide to how much energy do appliances use.

Smart Meter Accuracy Final Words

As always, if you suspect you have an issue with the accuracy of your smart meter, it’s certainly worth reaching out to your energy supplier to air your concerns and see if they have an explanation.

It could very well be faulty, or maybe you could do with your energy supplier explaining your current energy tariff in further detail so you feel more confident in understand your energy bill in full.