Important Information for Households Using Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) Meters Ahead of 30 June Cut-Off.

What Households Need to Know

As of 30 June 2025, the Radio Teleswitching System (RTS)—an older form of electricity metering technology—is scheduled to be permanently shut down. Households still using RTS meters may face significant disruption to heating and hot water services if a replacement meter is not installed in time.

This announcement is intended for households that:

  • Heat their homes using electricity (especially with storage heaters)
  • Are currently on Economy 7 or other time-of-use tariffs
  • Live in properties without gas supply
  • Have older-style electricity meters that switch between peak and off-peak rates automatically

According to recent industry data, over 430,000 homes were still using RTS meters as of March 2025. More than 300,000 households may be affected if replacements are not completed before the end of June.

What Is the Radio Teleswitching System?

The Radio Teleswitching System, introduced in the 1980s, uses a longwave radio signal to control when electricity supply is delivered to certain circuits—typically heating and hot water—based on tariff timings (e.g. off-peak hours). This system has been widely used to facilitate Economy 7 tariffs, where energy is cheaper at night.

The RTS network is being discontinued as it is now considered obsolete. All customers using this system are required to have their meters upgraded, typically to a smart meter, by the set deadline.

Why RTS Meters Must Be Replaced

The RTS service will cease functioning on 30 June 2025. After this date, homes relying on RTS meters may experience the following:

  • Heating and hot water systems not turning on or off as required
  • Heating stuck permanently on or off
  • Inability to access off-peak tariff rates
  • Loss of timed control over specific electrical circuits

Standard lighting, plug sockets, and general electricity usage will not be affected, as RTS typically operates a separate circuit limited to heating and hot water systems.

Risk of Service Loss for Hundreds of Thousands of Homes

With more than 1,000 RTS meters being replaced daily, the current replacement rate falls significantly short of the estimated 5,000 installations per day needed to cover all affected households before the switch-off.

Challenges in the replacement process include:

  • Limited engineer availability, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas
  • Households declining smart meters due to privacy concerns or distrust
  • Technical difficulties fitting smart meters in certain property types

The energy sector has confirmed that, as it stands, full coverage by the deadline is unlikely. Suppliers are being encouraged to prioritise vulnerable households and are developing “carefully managed phase-down” strategies.

How to Identify If You Have an RTS Meter

You may have an RTS meter if:

  • Your home is fully electric with no gas connection
  • Your tariff includes cheaper rates during off-peak hours (such as Economy 7)
  • You have a secondary switch box near your main electricity meter, often labelled “Radio Teleswitch”
  • Your heating or hot water is controlled separately from general electricity use

If you’re unsure, check your electricity bill for mentions of Economy 7 or other time-of-use tariffs and contact your supplier directly.

If You’re Contacted About Replacing Your Meter

All RTS meter replacements must be provided free of charge by your energy supplier. If you are contacted by anyone requesting payment for a meter upgrade, it may be a scam.

Legitimate energy companies will:

  • Contact you via letter, phone, or email to arrange a free meter installation
  • Provide official identification during home visits
  • Offer options if a smart meter cannot currently be installed in your home

If no solution is immediately available, your supplier is obligated under Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) guidance to fit a suitable alternative meter that ensures no disruption to service.

 What If You Don’t Want a Smart Meter?

It is currently not mandatory to accept a smart meter. However, in most cases, a smart meter is the only viable replacement for an RTS system. If you decline, your supplier is still required to provide a working alternative that maintains your current service levels.

Be advised:

  • Declining a smart meter may result in being moved off time-of-use tariffs such as Economy 7
  • Manual meter readings may be necessary
  • Some properties (e.g. older rural homes) may not yet have compatible smart metering solutions; suppliers must find interim options

What to Do Now

If you think your home may still be using an RTS meter:

  1. Contact your energy supplier immediately to confirm your meter type
  2. Book an appointment for meter replacement if required
  3. Report any difficulty accessing a replacement or being offered a non-functional smart meter

Do not wait until the heating season begins in autumn. Meter replacement during summer reduces the risk of cold-related issues during colder months.

 Additional Notes for Vulnerable Households

If you or someone in your home is:

  • Over 75 years of age
  • Living with a disability
  • Dependent on electric heating for medical reasons

You should inform your supplier to ensure priority treatment during the replacement rollout. Energy companies are working with Ofgem to safeguard at-risk customers from any service loss or disruption.

Key Takeaways

  • Deadline for RTS switch-off: 30 June 2025
  • Action required: Contact your energy supplier to confirm meter type and arrange replacement
  • No cost to consumers: Meter replacement is free
  • Beware of scams: Never pay for a meter change—verify identity of any service contact
  • Protection for vulnerable groups: Notify your supplier for prioritised service

 

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