Thousands could be left without energy unless they ‘act now’

Over half a million homes could be left without energy unless they update their meter before the old system is turned off this summer.

The warning comes from industry regulator Ofgem and Energy UK, which have launched a new campaign to encourage households using old-style radio teleswitch service (RTS) meters to ‘act now’ and get an upgrade from their energy supplier ahead of the system’s switch-off in June.

Households that fail to upgrade their electricity meter could be left without heating or hot water following the deactivation.

Danni Barnes, director of development and partnership at National Energy Action, commented: Radio teleswitch meters are often used with ageing electric heating systems, which are more common in areas experiencing severe fuel poverty.

“The switch-off could exacerbate costs for households already struggling and result in households losing control of their heating and hot water.

“In the worst cases, some may not be able to use their heating or hot water at all.”

What are radio teleswitch service (RTS) meters?

Introduced in the 1980s, RTS meters are older electricity meters.

They use radio signals from the BBC’s transmitter to switch between peak and off-peak rates, allowing energy suppliers to offer different tariff rates. They were initially created to support households who use electricity for heating and water.

RTS meters will be turned off on 30 June 2025 because the radio signal equipment can no longer be maintained.

Ofgem calculates that around 600,000 households will need to switch from an RTS meter to a smart meter before the service is stopped.  

How do I change from an RTS meter to a smart meter?

If you have an RTS meter, your electricity provider will contact you to arrange an upgrade to a smart meter before the deadline.

It’s their responsibility to ensure you have a suitable meter installed and that your service isn’t disrupted.

A smart meter does a similar job to an RTS meter, but you’ll also benefit from having your electricity reading submitted automatically. Additionally, you’ll be able to access ‘smart meter only’ tariffs, which could lead to lower bills. Monitor your energy usage more efficiently and receive accurate bills based on the electricity you’ve used, not estimates.

How do I know if I have an RTS meter?

You probably have a RTS meter if:

• Your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
• Your home is heated using electricity or storage heater
• There is no gas supply to your area, including households in rural areas and high-rise flats
• You get cheaper energy at different times of the day. E.g., you might be on an Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Control tariff

Ofgem says that if you’re unsure whether you have an RTS meter, you should contact your energy provider.