Understanding your smart meter can help you stay in control of your energy usage and bills. This guide explains common smart meter issues, how to troubleshoot them, and what to do if your meter stops working properly.
Take the stress out of meter readings and billing for good. With Fuse Energy, you can choose between typing in your meter reading or taking a photo of it in our app if you don’t have a connected smart meter and we’ll handle the rest. Get clear bills, real-time half-hourly usage data, 24/7 human customer support, and a modern energy experience designed around you. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today in as little as 3 minutes, save annually on your bills, and see how simple energy can be.
A quick checklist for fixing your smart meter
- Look for error messages on your meter.
- Ensure your meter display turns on.
- Check for power cuts in your area.
- Confirm your meter is still sending readings.
In many cases, the issue is not the smart meter itself but the IHD and many bill-payers get confused between the two. Below, on the left is an IHD, whereas on the right is an electricity smart meter. An IHD is a small display kept indoors that shows your energy usage, while a smart meter refers to the electricity or gas meter that records and sends readings to your supplier. If your IHD is blank or not updating, your meter may still be working and sending readings correctly.
Smart meters can stop working for a few reasons. Sometimes the connection between the meter and your supplier is interrupted. In other cases, the issue is simply with the display or signal rather than the meter itself. Older meters, such as SMETS1 or radio teleswitch (RTS) meters, may also experience connectivity issues or limited functionality.
Before assuming your meter is faulty, check if there is a power cut in your area. A loss of power will stop both your smart meter and display from working. Once power is restored, most meters reconnect automatically. If not, restarting your display is often enough to resolve the issue.
If your smart meter is not communicating, you may need to submit manual readings. This ensures your bills remain accurate while the issue is being resolved. Fuse Energy allows you to submit readings easily through the app, including uploading a photo or as text for convenience.
Some tariffs require a fully connected smart meter. EV tariffs and time-of-use tariffs rely on real-time data, so your meter must be online to access them.
If your meter isn’t connected, you may need to resolve the issue or upgrade before switching to these tariffs.
Managing your energy shouldn’t feel like a hassle. With Fuse Energy, you get real-time, half-hourly usage data in the app and website if you have a connected smart meter, helping you stay in control of your energy usage. Our 24/7 human support team is always on hand with fast response times of under 5 minutes whenever you need help. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy in as little as 3 minutes and find out about our mission by clicking here.
What should I do if my smart meter isn’t working?
Check your display, confirm if your meter is sending readings, and inform your supplier. You may need to submit manual readings if needed.
Will I still get accurate bills?
Yes. Submitting manual readings helps ensure your bills remain accurate.
How can I switch to Fuse Energy?
Switching to Fuse Energy is simple and can be done in as little as 3 minutes by completing the online onboarding process here.
Disclaimer
For the avoidance of doubt, this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice. The author and/or Fuse Energy shall not be responsible for any losses arising out of any reliance on the information contained herein.
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