Energy suppliers to contact customers as nationwide shut-off shifts
Households will need to take action before the radio signal connecting their meters and energy suppliers shuts down
Approximately 314,000 households in the UK utilise Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters for their energy supply. However, the radio signal these meters depend on is being retired, which could lead to soaring bills or disruption to heating and hot water supplies for those who fail to act before the switch off.
The original deadline for this switch off was June 30, but just days ahead of this date, the government confirmed that the change will be implemented in a "cautious and targeted phase out".
This update came after fuel poverty campaigners argued that the hard cut-off was "unachievable". The government has assured those affected by the switch off that they will be contacted by their suppliers, who can advise on the necessary steps to take.
Disability charity Scope also highlighted: "We are urging disabled people to act, before Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are switched off."
Phil, Scope's Disability Energy Support expert, shared his own experience: "I recently upgraded my own RTS meter, and this is what you need to know."
He cautioned: "If you have an RTS meter (black box in the image), your heating and hot water supply could stop working as normal. You may find it's continually left on or off, or the charging-up happens at the wrong time of day.
"Your energy bills could be much higher than before. This is because your electricity supplier won't be able to confirm how much electricity you have used during peak or off-peak times. "
Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, made an announcement in a written statement on June 18, stating: "My department has stepped in to ensure there will be a managed and more controlled start of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30 June. People with an RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month."
The Scope expert urged consumers: "It's important that you contact your energy supplier before the switch-off. This will ensure there is no disruption to your electricity supply or impact on your bills."
"Contact your electricity supplier as soon as possible and ask for a free upgrade to a smart meter. You're not required to accept a smart meter.
"In some cases, a smart meter upgrade may not be available. Your supplier must still provide a suitable alternative to keep your energy supply running properly. Speak to your supplier to understand the options available to you."
To identify if you have an RTS meter, Phil outlined the following indicators:
You have a separate switch box near your meter labelled 'Radio Teleswitch'
Your home is heated with electricity or storage heaters
There's no gas supply in your area
You get cheaper energy at certain times of the day
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Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Energy suppliers to contact customers as nationwide shut-off shifts
Households will need to take action before the radio signal connecting their meters and energy suppliers shuts down Approximately 314,000 households in the UK utilise Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters for their energy supply. However, the radio signal these meters depend on is being retired, which could lead to soaring bills or disruption to heating and hot water supplies for those who fail to act before the switch off. The original deadline for this switch off was June 30, but just days ahead of this date, the government confirmed that the change will be implemented in a "cautious and targeted phase out". This update came after fuel poverty campaigners argued that the hard cut-off was "unachievable". The government has assured those affected by the switch off that they will be contacted by their suppliers, who can advise on the necessary steps to take. Disability charity Scope also highlighted: "We are urging disabled people to act, before Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are switched off." Phil, Scope's Disability Energy Support expert, shared his own experience: "I recently upgraded my own RTS meter, and this is what you need to know." He cautioned: "If you have an RTS meter (black box in the image), your heating and hot water supply could stop working as normal. You may find it's continually left on or off, or the charging-up happens at the wrong time of day. "Your energy bills could be much higher than before. This is because your electricity supplier won't be able to confirm how much electricity you have used during peak or off-peak times. " Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, made an announcement in a written statement on June 18, stating: "My department has stepped in to ensure there will be a managed and more controlled start of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30 June. People with an RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month." The Scope expert urged consumers: "It's important that you contact your energy supplier before the switch-off. This will ensure there is no disruption to your electricity supply or impact on your bills." "Contact your electricity supplier as soon as possible and ask for a free upgrade to a smart meter. You're not required to accept a smart meter. "In some cases, a smart meter upgrade may not be available. Your supplier must still provide a suitable alternative to keep your energy supply running properly. Speak to your supplier to understand the options available to you." To identify if you have an RTS meter, Phil outlined the following indicators: You have a separate switch box near your meter labelled 'Radio Teleswitch' Your home is heated with electricity or storage heaters There's no gas supply in your area You get cheaper energy at certain times of the day
Daily Record
12-06-2025
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Call for RTS meter switch-off to be delayed to protect Scots living in rural communities
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Wales Online
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Martin Lewis issues urgent energy meter warning as 'switch off' looms
Martin Lewis issues urgent energy meter warning as 'switch off' looms The consumer expert has warned that households with a certain type of energy meter may see their heating and hot water stop working properly if they don't act now Failure to switch could result in malfunctioning heating and hot water systems (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock ) Martin Lewis has shared an urgent alert for many households as a critical deadline looms this month. The outdated Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) energy meters are set to be decommissioned on June 30, prompting those with such meters to promptly transition to smart meters. Failure to switch could result in malfunctioning heating and hot water systems. RTS meters, dating back to the 1980s, utilise radio signals to toggle between peak and off-peak electricity tariffs. In a recent announcement, Martin Lewis cautioned: "Warning! Got an old Economy 7 or multi-rate electricity meter? The 'Radio Teleswitch Service' which allows some old (non-smart) meters to function will be switched off at end of this month." He further warned: "It could mean your heating and hot water won't function properly, or incorrect bills. You need a meter upgrade now," reports the Mirror. Households needing to update their meters should reach out to their electricity supplier without delay. Suppliers are expected to provide a smart meter or a suitable alternative at no cost. You might possess an RTS meter if you find a Radio Teleswitch-labelled switch box near your meter, use electric or storage heaters, lack a gas supply, or benefit from variable energy rates throughout the day. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, previously highlighted that hundreds of thousands of RTS meters may still be operational when they are scheduled to be turned off. Article continues below Mr Francis warned the Work and Pensions Committee: "The process is doomed to failure. We are not going to see the RTS switch off on the first of July. "There's still going to be hundreds of thousands of RTS meters in people's homes on the date that they're saying they're going to start winding down the signal. "We don't know what is going to happen. The risks that have been outlined are either that your hot water and your heating are always on and you're going to be running up a massive bill, or it's always off." Ofgem's Retail Pricing and Systems Director Charlotte Friel remarked: "We have been continually monitoring the industry's efforts to replace RTS meters as this ageing infrastructure reaches the end of its life. "Last year we decided more needed to be done so convened the sector and made clear to suppliers they have to move faster. Following that intervention, the rate of meter replacements has increased from around 1,000 a month to more than 1,000 a day. Article continues below "However suppliers need to do more and ensure customers are protected from detriment, which is why industry is putting in place a phased area-by-area shutdown beginning from 30 June. "We have made clear that the signal serving a specific area should not be switched off until suppliers have demonstrated that they are ready and able to respond quickly to any issues customers experience."
