Smart Meter Not Sending Readings? What It Means for EV Tariffs, Solar and Batteries (Essex 2026)

If you have an EV charger, solar panels or a home battery, your smart meter matters more than ever. New figures from the Energy Ombudsman show that around one in ten complaints it accepted in the first half of 2026 involved a smart meter, and one of the most common problems is a meter that has stopped talking to the energy supplier. This guide explains what that means for homes in Thurrock, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Upminster and across Essex, and what you can do about it. It is accurate as of 2 November 2026.

What did the Energy Ombudsman find?

In an update published on 22 October 2026, the Energy Ombudsman said it accepted 4,817 complaints involving smart meters in the first half of 2026, up 6% on the year before. That is around one in ten of all the complaints it accepted.

One of the main issues it sees is a loss of communication between the smart meter and the supplier. The Ombudsman says this does not necessarily mean the meter has stopped measuring your energy. It can mean readings are no longer being sent automatically, which can lead to estimated bills or stop smart features from working as expected.

Why does a smart meter matter for EV charging?

Many EV tariffs offer cheaper electricity during off-peak hours. The Energy Ombudsman notes that these tariffs and home charging options may need a compatible smart meter to record when electricity is used. If your meter is not sending readings, your supplier may not be able to see that you charged overnight, and your bills could be estimated.

The gap between cheap and standard rates is large. Under the Ofgem price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, the average standard electricity unit rate is 26.32p per kWh for people paying by Direct Debit. Off-peak EV tariffs are usually well below that, so a working smart meter is a big part of getting the savings you expect from a home EV charger.

Does a smart meter affect solar panels and batteries?

Yes, it can. If you have solar panels or a home battery, you may be paid for the electricity you export to the grid, for example through a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Your supplier needs to measure what you send to the grid, and in practice that usually relies on a smart meter. A meter that has lost communication may mean your export is not recorded on time, so check your export statements as well as your bills.

Battery owners on time-of-use tariffs also rely on accurate half-hourly readings. If your battery charges at cheap times and powers the house at peak times, your supplier needs working readings to bill you correctly.

My smart meter has stopped sending readings. What should I do?

The Energy Ombudsman suggests these steps:

• Check your latest bill to see whether readings have been estimated.

• Contact your energy supplier first. The supplier is responsible for the meter and for getting it working, either remotely or by repairing or replacing equipment.

• If the fault is with the wider smart meter network, your supplier should work with the Data Communications Company (DCC). You should not have to contact the DCC yourself.

• Keep a record of your contact with the supplier and take manual meter readings where you can.

Can I get compensation if my smart meter is not fixed?

According to the Energy Ombudsman, suppliers are expected to put a resolution plan in place within five working days of a fault being reported. If they do not, you should receive £40 in automatic compensation. If your complaint is still unresolved after eight weeks, or you get a deadlock letter sooner, you may be able to take it to the Energy Ombudsman for a free, independent review.

Can an electrician fix my smart meter?

No. Your smart meter belongs to your energy supplier, and only the supplier or its agents should work on it. What a qualified electrician can do is check everything on your side of the meter. That includes your consumer unit, the circuits for your EV charger, solar inverter or battery, and the settings and timers on those devices.

If you are planning an EV charger, solar panels, a battery or a heat pump, it is worth checking that your smart meter is working before the installation, so your new system can make the most of smart tariffs from day one. If you are not sure your wiring is in good condition, an electrical inspection and test is a sensible first step.

Frequently asked questions

Does a smart meter stop measuring if it loses signal?

Not necessarily. The Energy Ombudsman says a meter can keep measuring even when readings are not being sent automatically.

Who do I contact if my smart meter is not working?

Your energy supplier. It is responsible for the meter and should work with the DCC if the network is the problem.

How quickly should a smart meter fault be dealt with?

Suppliers are expected to put a resolution plan in place within five working days of the fault being reported, or pay £40 automatic compensation.

Do I need a smart meter for an EV tariff?

Many EV tariffs may require a compatible smart meter to record when electricity is used. Check with your supplier before you switch.

Need an EV charger, solar or battery installer in Essex?

CPW Electrical Solutions LTD is an electrical contractor based in Thurrock. We are NICEIC Approved (607863000) and MCS certified (NIC602214), and a certified Tesla installer for Powerwall batteries and Wall Connector chargers. We hold £2m public liability and £300k professional indemnity insurance, and we also offer 24-hour emergency call-outs.

Call 07545 571230 (answered 7am to 7pm) or request a quote. See the areas we cover.