The Radio Teleswitch Service switch-off: What you need to know

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, expects energy suppliers to replace all RTS meters before the service ends in June 2025

Don’t worry, if you have an RTS or DTS meter, you can upgrade to a smart meter. Smart meters are the only technical replacement for RTS meters because they can be programmed to deliver a similar service. Get in contact with your electricity supplier to find out when they can install your new meter.

What is the Radio Teleswitch Service, and what is it used for?

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) uses a radio signal to tell some older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates. There are just over 900,000 RTS meters in Great Britain. RTS is used for some traditional multi-rate meters and was designed to support those who use electricity for their heating and hot water. This may include those who use electric storage systems, panel heaters or immersion heaters in water tanks – some of which typically charge up overnight.

RTS allows energy suppliers to offer different tariff rates; so that consumers can make use of cheaper off-peak tariffs to charge their heating and/or hot water systems up overnight.

RTS was introduced in the 1980s, and is now reaching the end of its natural operational life. This means that the equipment that produces the radio signal can’t be adequately maintained anymore.

The 2025 deadline

RTS is an industry-wide service. All electricity suppliers are contacting impacted customers to offer them a smart meter upgrade before the RTS service ends on 30 June 2025.

How to find out if you’ve got an RTS meter

If you’re not sure whether you have an RTS meter, there are a few things you can look out for:

• 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 to your area. This includes households in rural areas and high-rise flats
• you get cheaper energy at different times of day. Your tariff might be: Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control

If you’re unsure if you have RTS equipment, contact your electricity supplier who will be able to confirm for you.

Will I be able to stay on the same tariff I am on now?

Your supplier will be able to tell you which tariffs are available to you. They should offer a tariff that is suitable for the hot water and/or heating set up in your home.

If you think you have RTS equipment in your home or business, or you’re unsure, contact your electricity supplier. They will let you know whether you have an RTS meter, and when you can get your smart meter upgrade.

What happens if I don’t upgrade to smart meters

If you decide not to upgrade, the heating and/or hot water provisions in your home or business could be affected. 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.

A smart meter will give you a similar service to your RTS meter. You should speak to your supplier to find out more.

The benefits of smart meters

Smart meters can be programmed to deliver a similar service to RTS. With a smart meter:

• you’ll get accurate bills based on the energy you’ve actually used, not an estimate
• meter readings are submitted automatically, so there’s no need to manually submit your energy readings
• you can keep a closer eye on how much energy you’re using and how much you’re spending
• you can see where you might be able to save energy, for example by turning the heating down when you don’t need it or switching the TV off at the wall
• you’ll have access to ‘smart meter only’ tariffs

Some RTS customers may not be able to upgrade to smart meters yet

There are some situations where your electricity supplier won’t be able to offer you an appointment for a smart meter upgrade just yet. If that’s the case, your supplier will get in touch when they are ready to upgrade your meter.

To find out more about RTS, click the links below:

Ofgem: ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households

Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter

Energy Networks Association: energynetworks.org/industry/engineering-and-technical- programmes/radio-teleswitch

To upgrade your RTS meter, contact your electricity supplier who will be able to tell you when you can have a smart meter installed.