Starting from February 23, new regulations in the UK mandate that households with smart meters will automatically receive £40 payments for specific issues that arise concerning their smart meters. These payments are issued in three distinct scenarios: if the installation of a smart meter takes longer than six weeks, if an installation appointment is missed due to faults within the supplier's control, or if a resolution plan is not provided within five days of reporting an issue.

These changes come as a response to previous inadequacies where energy firms only focused on the installation of smart meters without adequately addressing customer concerns post-installation. Many customers were left with malfunctioning devices and subpar service. Consequently, the new rules are designed to compel energy providers to prioritize the functionality of smart meters and enhance their customer service, ensuring that such devices operate effectively and that customer satisfaction is significantly improved.

While these regulations are set to commence immediately, Ofgem is also considering the inclusion of a fourth issue regarding smart meter performance that may be announced later this year. This ongoing evaluation by Ofgem signifies a broader effort to ensure that energy firms are held accountable for their performance and that customers are compensated fairly for any service shortcomings they encounter.