Latest news with #RTS
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major update on huge energy meter switch off affecting 314,935 as government confirms delay
We reveal how to spot if you've got one of the affected meters below ENERGY WARNING Major update on huge energy meter switch off affecting 314,935 as government confirms delay Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Government has announced a major update on a huge energy meter switch off affecting more than 300,000 customers. Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters will now be turned off in a phased approach from June 30. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 RTS meters were due to be switched off on June 30 Old-style RTS meters use longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates and are becoming obsolete. Energy firms had previously been given a deadline of June 30 to change customers on these types of meters onto more modern ones. However, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said there will now be a "managed and more controlled start" to the phaseout. It comes after firms admitted some households on these meters would not have had them replaced in time. Energy UK, which represents energy suppliers, said 392,000 households still had the meters as of mid-April. Meanwhile, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said yesterday the pace of RTS replacements carried out by industry had been 'too slow', leaving 314,935 RTS meters still in homes as of May 30. Regulator Ofgem has said if households are left with obsolete RTS meters and without replacement ones it could lead to a host of problems. These include: heating and hot water being left continually on or off, and electric storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills. Meanwhile, it could leave energy suppliers being unable to confirm households' electricity usage during peak or off-peak times. Ms Fahnbulleh said: "My department has worked to ensure industry will pursue a more controlled approach to the phaseout, beginning with a very small number of homes and businesses in carefully targeted local areas. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills "During this process, Government and Ofgem will closely monitor supplier readiness to ensure the process is smooth and vulnerable consumers are identified and protected." The Government said customers with RTS meters will be contacted by their suppliers to book appointments to replace them. In most cases, households' meters will be replaced with a smart meter, charging them peak and off-peak rates. Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: 'The RTS switch-off process was doomed to failure after it became clear that the deadline was simply unachievable. 'Ministers are right to be getting a grip on the situation and holding Ofgem and the energy industry to account. 'We now need to see a plan published that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when. 'Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes.' How to tell if you have an RTS meter The oldest RTS-powered meters have a switch box labelled 'Radio Teleswitch' next to the electric meter. Others may have the RTS switch box within the electric meter as a single box on the wall. One way to tell is if you get cheaper energy at different times of the day. You might be on a tariff called Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control. Another way to tell is if your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters, Energy UK suggests. RTS meters are also often used in areas with no gas supply, for example with high rise flats or houses in rural areas. If your home is in one of these locations then you should check your meter. If you are still unsure then contact your supplier and ask if you have RTS equipment. They should be able to tell you if you do. If you have one of these meters then you should book a smart meter installation as soon as possible. What is a smart meter? SMART meters are gas and electricity meters that can digitally send readings to your energy supplier. They show you how much energy you are using in pounds and pence, so can be used to help reduce your energy bill. Unlike traditional meters, which simply register a running total of energy used, smart meters can record half-hourly price and consumption data and provide automatic meter readings to your energy supplier. Most homes have two meters, one for gas and one for electricity – both will be replaced with smart meters. You will also be offered an in-home display to show you the cost and amount of energy you are using at any given time It will update every 30 minutes for gas and in near real-time for electricity. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Major update on huge energy meter switch off affecting 314,935 as government confirms delay
THE Government has announced a major update on a huge energy meter switch off affecting more than 300,000 customers. Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters will now be turned off in a phased approach from June 30. 1 Old-style RTS meters use longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates and are becoming obsolete. Energy firms had previously been given a deadline of June 30 to change customers on these types of meters onto more modern ones. However, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said there will now be a "managed and more controlled start" to the phaseout. It comes after firms admitted some households on these meters would not have had them replaced in time. Energy UK, which represents energy suppliers, said 392,000 households still had the meters as of mid-April. Meanwhile, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said yesterday the pace of RTS replacements carried out by industry had been 'too slow', leaving 314,935 RTS meters still in homes as of May 30. Regulator Ofgem has said if households are left with obsolete RTS meters and without replacement ones it could lead to a host of problems. These include: heating and hot water being left continually on or off, and electric storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills. Meanwhile, it could leave energy suppliers being unable to confirm households' electricity usage during peak or off-peak times. Ms Fahnbulleh said: "My department has worked to ensure industry will pursue a more controlled approach to the phaseout, beginning with a very small number of homes and businesses in carefully targeted local areas. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills "During this process, Government and Ofgem will closely monitor supplier readiness to ensure the process is smooth and vulnerable consumers are identified and protected." The Government said customers with RTS meters will be contacted by their suppliers to book appointments to replace them. In most cases, households' meters will be replaced with a smart meter, charging them peak and off-peak rates. Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: 'The RTS switch-off process was doomed to failure after it became clear that the deadline was simply unachievable. 'Ministers are right to be getting a grip on the situation and holding Ofgem and the energy industry to account. 'We now need to see a plan published that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when. 'Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes.' How to tell if you have an RTS meter The oldest RTS-powered meters have a switch box labelled 'Radio Teleswitch' next to the electric meter. Others may have the RTS switch box within the electric meter as a single box on the wall. One way to tell is if you get cheaper energy at different times of the day. You might be on a tariff called Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control. Another way to tell is if your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters, Energy UK suggests. RTS meters are also often used in areas with no gas supply, for example with high rise flats or houses in rural areas. If your home is in one of these locations then you should check your meter. If you are still unsure then contact your supplier and ask if you have RTS equipment. They should be able to tell you if you do. If you have one of these meters then you should book a smart meter installation as soon as possible. What is a smart meter? SMART meters are gas and electricity meters that can digitally send readings to your energy supplier. They show you how much energy you are using in pounds and pence, so can be used to help reduce your energy bill. Unlike traditional meters, which simply register a running total of energy used, smart meters can record half-hourly price and consumption data and provide automatic meter readings to your energy supplier. Most homes have two meters, one for gas and one for electricity – both will be replaced with smart meters. You will also be offered an in-home display to show you the cost and amount of energy you are using at any given time It will update every 30 minutes for gas and in near real-time for electricity.
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Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
RTS meter switch off: switch off plans could affect bills
Thousands have been facing higher bills and cold homes 🔁 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Government delays RTS meter switch-off after warnings of widespread disruption Over 300,000 homes still use the outdated system for heating and hot water Gradual, region-by-region phaseout to begin instead of June 30 shutdown Households will be contacted in advance to arrange smart meter replacements Vulnerable customers to be prioritised and protected during the transition The Government has dramatically delayed the planned switch-off of the outdated Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS). It comes after mounting concerns that hundreds of thousands of households could be left without heating or hot water. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Originally set to be phased out on Monday, June 30, the RTS system will now be wound down gradually in a 'managed and more controlled' way, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The delay follows warnings from campaigners and energy firms that the industry simply wasn't ready. (Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Regulators have raised concerns that without timely replacements, customers could face serious issues — including higher bills, meters stuck on the wrong tariff, or even loss of control over heating and hot water systems. As of May 30, more than 314,000 RTS meters were still in use, despite suppliers being given a firm deadline to upgrade or replace them. In April, the figure stood at nearly 400,000. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is the RTS system? The RTS system is a technology used in older electricity meters, allowing them to switch between peak and off-peak rates using longwave radio signals. It's often used to control electric heating and hot water systems. The technology is now outdated, and energy companies were instructed to upgrade all affected customers to newer systems — usually smart meters — by June 30, 2025. But the pace of replacements has fallen far behind. Energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh admitted in a written statement that the replacement rollout had been 'too slow' and said only a 'very small number' of homes and businesses would now be affected at first — limited to specific, carefully chosen areas. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She stressed that suppliers would be monitored to ensure vulnerable customers are protected throughout the process. What do I need to do? Households with RTS meters will not face any unexpected changes at the end of the month, and energy firms are being urged to contact affected customers well in advance of any changes. In most cases, the outdated meters will be replaced with smart meters capable of automatically managing peak and off-peak usage in the same way. If you are contacted by your energy supplier, here's what to expect: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You'll be contacted directly: Suppliers will write to you if your home is affected Suppliers will write to you if your home is affected You'll need to book an appointment: If offered, accept a smart meter installation at the earliest opportunity If offered, accept a smart meter installation at the earliest opportunity No need to panic: Your RTS meter will continue to function for now. The switch-off will not happen suddenly or without warning The Government has committed to protecting vulnerable households during the transition. If you are elderly, have a disability or long-term condition, or are struggling financially, you should be identified by your supplier as a priority for early communication and safe replacement. If in doubt, contact your energy provider directly. Don't ignore letters or messages from your energy provider. While there's no immediate action required for most, you'll eventually need to have your RTS meter replaced — and the sooner you respond, the smoother the transition will be.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- General
- 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
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Government update announced for those with energy meters
Government update announced for those with energy meters Hundreds of thousands of households will be affected The technology is becoming obsolete (Image: Matthew Horwood / Media Wales ) The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) switch-off is to be delayed, the Government has announced, following warnings that it was likely to cause considerable disruption to hundreds of thousands of households. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said there will be a 'managed and more controlled start' to the RTS phaseout from June 30, and those with an affected meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month. The RTS system, used by older electricity meters to control heating and hot water, uses a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates. The technology is becoming obsolete and energy companies had a deadline to change their customers' meters by June 30. However, firms have admitted that current rates of replacement meant it was likely that thousands of RTS meters would not have been upgraded before the technology is switched off. Energy UK, which represents firms, said 392,000 households still had the meters as of mid April. Industry regulator Ofgem has said the risks associated with not having a functioning meter include heating and hot water left continually on or off, electric storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills, and the supplier being unable to confirm electricity usage during peak or off-peak times. Article continues below In a written statement on Wednesday, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said the pace of RTS replacements by industry had been 'too slow', leaving 314,935 RTS meters still in homes as of May 30. She said: 'My department has worked to ensure industry will pursue a more controlled approach to the phaseout, beginning with a very small number of homes and businesses in carefully targeted local areas. "During this process, Government and Ofgem will closely monitor supplier readiness to ensure the process is smooth and vulnerable consumers are identified and protected. 'These steps will help ensure suppliers are ready to respond quickly in case of any issues and that working families and the elderly are protected throughout the phaseout process. 'The Government is working closely with industry and Ofgem to ensure this next period is planned effectively and consumers, particularly those who are vulnerable, are protected.' She added: 'Suppliers will continue contacting consumers to book replacement appointments and consumers are urged to respond as soon as possible. 'In most cases, this will involve replacing the RTS meter with a smart meter, which can work in the same way as RTS meters, with automatic peak and off-peak rates, and the ability to turn heating and hot water systems on and off, ensuring minimal disruption to households. 'In advance of any phaseout activity in their area, households and businesses will be contacted by their energy supplier to inform them well ahead of time, if their meters will be affected.' Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, which wrote to Ofgem and the Government to raise concerns about the pace and communication of the meter replacement effort, said: 'The RTS switch-off process was doomed to failure after it became clear that the deadline was simply unachievable. 'Ministers are right to be getting a grip on the situation and holding Ofgem and the energy industry to account. 'We now need to see a plan published that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when. Article continues below 'Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here .
