Latest news with #RadioTeleswitchService
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
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Switching off RTS energy meter system to be delayed, says Government
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. 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. '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.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Call for RTS meter switch-off to be delayed to protect Scots living in rural communities
Scots are being urged to double check their energy meters ahead of the June 30 deadline. Scots living in rural communities could be left without hot water or heating when ageing energy meters are switched off at the end of the month, campaigners have warned. Households still reliant on Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are being urged to make an appointment with their energy provider as soon as possible to arrange for a replacement. The system dates back to the 1980s and uses a radio signal to tell meters to switch between different electricity price rates. Most households across Scotland, including those with older meters, will be unaffected by the change over this month. But homes that use electric storage heaters or pay different electricity rates at different times of the day are more likely to have RTS equipment fitted. From June 30, the radio signal that controls them will start to be switched off - with a risk customers could be left without heating and hot water. The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel is now calling for a delay in the switch-off to ensure more households are prepared. "The switch-off should only happen once all critical RTS meters have been replaced, this removes the risk for households across Scotland, but particularly in many remote rural and island communities," said Matt Cole, the panel's chairman. "We recognise the RTS service uses old technology and its time is limited, but the priority must be to accelerate replacement of old RTS meters with newer smart meters before the radio wave service is switched off. "Some of the most vulnerable households in acute fuel poverty live in remote rural areas where RTS meters are common and we cannot risk disrupting their energy supply." Charlotte Friel, retail pricing director at Ofgem, said: "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 increase from around 1,000 a month to more than 1,000 a day. "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 June 30. "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. 'While this carefully managed phaseout should reassure customers that they will be protected, it remains crucial that these meters are replaced so I would urge customers to engage with their supplier when offered an appointment – even if it is after the June 30 date that marks the beginning of the process."
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
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."
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Martin Lewis issues 'upgrade now' warning ahead of deadline this month
Radio teleswitch service (RTS) meters are being switched off on June 30 - meaning anyone with this type of meter needs to upgrade their system to a smart meter now Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning for hundreds of thousands of households with an old type of energy meter ahead of a deadline this month. Radio teleswitch service (RTS) meters are being switched off on June 30 - meaning anyone with this type of meter needs to upgrade their system to a smart meter now. If you don't switch, it could mean your heating and hot water stops working properly. RTS meters were introduced in the 1980s and they use a radio signal to switch between peak and off-peak electricity rates. In a post published on X, Martin Lewis said: '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. 'It could mean your heating & hot water won't function properly, or incorrect bills. You need a meter upgrade now.' If you need to replace your meter, contact your electricity provider as soon as possible. They will be able to upgrade you to a smart meter, or another alternative, free of charge. You may have an RTS meter if you have a switch box near your energy meter labelled Radio Teleswitch, if you have electric or storage heaters, if there is no gas supply to your area, or if you get cheaper energy at different times of day. Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, last month warned there will still be hundreds of thousands of RTS meters on the date they are due to be switched off. Mr Francis told 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.' Charlotte Friel, director for Retail Pricing & Systems for Ofgem, said: '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 increase from around 1,000 a month to more than 1,000 a day. '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.'
