As part of a nationwide shift in managing energy services, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will be switched off by 30 June 2025. If you’re currently using RTS to control your heating and hot water, this change could affect your system and how much you’re charged for your energy.
What is the Radio Teleswitch Service?
RTS is a system introduced in the 1980s that uses a radio signal to tell some older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates.
How will this affect you?
If your meter depends on RTS, it may stop working properly after the switch-off. It may mean that your heating and hot water may not turn on or off as expected.
How do I know if I have an RTS meter?
There are a few ways you can check if you have an RTS meter:
- There may be a separate switch box near your meter with a radio teleswitch label on it.
- Your property is heated using electricity or storage heaters.
- There is no gas supply in your area. This includes households in rural areas and high-rise flats.
- You get cheaper energy at different times of the day. Your tariff might be Economy 7, Economy 10, or Total Heat Total Control.
If you are still unsure, contact your electricity supplier, who should be able to confirm whether you have an RTS meter.
What are electricity suppliers doing to help?
All electricity suppliers have contacted impacted customers to offer them a smart meter upgrade at no extra cost before the RTS service ends.
What happens if I decide not to upgrade the RTS meter?
You are not obliged to accept a smart meter. However, if you decide not to upgrade, the heating and/or hot water in your home could be affected once the RTS service is switched off.
You may find that your heating and/or hot water is continually left on or off, or the charging-up happens at the wrong time of day.
Your electricity supplier won’t be able to confirm how much electricity you have used during peak or off-peak times, which means your electricity costs could be much higher than before.
What happens if I can’t upgrade my RTS meter?
There may be some situations where your supplier is unable to offer a smart meter upgrade.
Your electricity supplier must ensure that you have a suitable meter installed and that your service is not disrupted.
Speak to your supplier to understand the options available to you.
To find out more about RTS, please visit:
Ofgem: Replacing your Radio Teleswitch electricity meter | Ofgem
Citizens Advice: Radio Teleswitch Meters — and why they’re on their way out - Citizens Advice Hart
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