Over 300,000 UK households might lose entry to heating or scorching water this summer time as outdated Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are set to be switched off completely on June 30, 2025.
With vitality value rises persevering with to squeeze family budgets, the strain is mounting on households to improve to good meters – the one appropriate alternative – earlier than the deadline hits.
Vitality regulators and suppliers are urging pressing motion to keep away from widespread disruption.
What Is the Radio Teleswitch Service?
The Radio Teleswitch Service is a system that enables vitality suppliers to change clients between peak and off-peak electrical energy charges utilizing radio alerts.
This service has been instrumental for households utilizing electrical storage heaters, panel heaters, or immersion heaters, enabling them to learn from cheaper electrical energy throughout off-peak hours.
Nevertheless, the know-how is now outdated, and the gear supporting it may possibly now not be adequately maintained, prompting its scheduled shutdown on 30 June 2025.
🚨 The RTS sign will likely be switched off from 30 June 2025. This implies everybody with an RTS electrical energy meter must have a brand new one put in. In case your vitality provider contacts you, act now. Discover out you probably have an RTS meter and get help right here: https://t.co/OqD5cvFnUX pic.twitter.com/wB0gxDHqRYApril 25, 2025
The urgency of upgrading to good meters
As of early 2025, roughly 600,000 households in Nice Britain nonetheless relied on RTS meters. Ofgem expects vitality suppliers to switch all RTS meters earlier than the service ends.
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Good meters are the one technical alternative for RTS meters, as they are often programmed to ship the same service. They provide real-time vitality utilization knowledge, remove the necessity for handbook readings, and supply entry to a wider vary of tariffs.
Charlotte Friel, director for retail pricing & programs at Ofgem, emphasised the significance of the transition: “One of many key capabilities of the RTS Taskforce is figuring out hotspot areas that want extra focused sources to speed up the improve programme. So it’s pleasing to see E.ON Subsequent and different vitality suppliers pushing to drive up the alternative fee in Leicester.
“It is a constructive declaration of intent to fulfill the RTS problem head on, so our message to folks within the metropolis is that help is prepared and ready. If you’re contacted by your vitality provider to rearrange an appointment, please e book it.”
Figuring out you probably have an RTS meter
In keeping with Ofgem you could have an RTS meter if:
There’s a separate swap field close to your meter labelled “Radio Teleswitch.”
Your private home is heated utilizing electrical energy or storage heaters.
There is no such thing as a fuel provide to your space.
You’re on a time-of-use tariff, similar to Financial system 7, Financial system 10, or Whole Warmth Whole Management.
When you’re not sure, contact your electrical energy provider, who can affirm your meter kind and organize an improve if mandatory.
Help and the subsequent steps
Ofgem, in collaboration with vitality suppliers and client teams, has launched a marketing campaign to boost consciousness concerning the RTS shutdown.
The RTS Taskforce has been established to coordinate efforts, prioritise weak clients, and guarantee a clean transition to good meters.
Vitality suppliers say they’re contacting affected clients to schedule good meter installations.
Upgrades are offered at no further value, and suppliers are anticipated to supply tariffs akin to current preparations.
Learn how to determine you probably have an RTS meter and what motion you need to take – YouTube
