Urgent action required for RTS meter switch off
16th April 2025The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is ending from 30 June. Also known as Dynamic Teleswitch Service (DTS), the switch-off affects households with an RTS meter, and could mean that their heating and hot water supply stops functioning as normal.
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?
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) uses a radio signal to tell some older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates of electricity.
Using RTS, energy suppliers can offer different tariff rates to enable consumers to 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, meaning that the service must end soon.
RTS is an industry-wide service. All electricity suppliers are contacting RTS customers to offer them a smart meter upgrade before the service ends on 30 June 2025.
Check if you have an RTS meter
If you aren’t sure whether you have an RTS meter, check for the following things:
- There may be a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
- You use electricity or storage heaters for your heating
- There is no gas supply in your area – this could be the case in rural areas and high-rise flats
- You get cheaper electricity at different times of day – you may be on Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control
Get in touch with your electricity supplier if you aren’t sure whether you have an RTS meter.
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. They should offer a tariff suitable for the hot water and heating set up in your home.
What if I don’t upgrade to a smart meter?
If you decide not to upgrade, the heating and/or hot water in your home or business could be affected. You might 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 you could end up with higher electricity bills. A smart meter will give you a similar service to your RTS meter. You should speak to your supplier to find out more ahead of the service end date of 30 June 2025.
Find out more about RTS from the links below:
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