RTS Meters: What you need to know

Photo of a kitchen sink.
Homes

Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters will be switched off on 30 June 2025. This will impact the heating of around 250,000 Scottish households.

Q: What is the RTS? Why is it shutting down?
A: The RTS is one way that energy suppliers can switch tariff rates on electricity meters. This means their customers can access cheaper rates of electricity at certain times of day. These types of tariffs are important for people who rely on all electric heating and hot water. The RTS uses longwave radio which is becoming obsolete. As a result, the RTS won’t work properly anymore and is being shut down.

Q: How can I check if I have an RTS meter?
A: There are a few ways to check:

  • There may be a separate switch box near your meter with a radio teleswitch label on it
  • Your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters
  • There is no gas supply to your house
  • Your energy is cheaper at different times
  • Your tariff might be Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control.

If you’re still unsure, contact your electricity supplier, who should be able to confirm whether you have an RTS meter.

Q: What will happen after 30 June?
A: If you have an RTS meter, once the service is switched off your meter is likely to stop functioning properly. You could see:

  • Your heating and hot water remain continually on or off or charging up at the wrong time of day. The RTS can control when your storage heaters and hot water warm up. It turns these on when the rates are cheaper and switches them off when it’s more expensive.
  • Your supplier incorrectly charging you. Without the RTS, your supplier might not be able to tell when you used your electricity, meaning it could bill you incorrectly for off-peak and peak usage.
  • You have a more limited choice of tariffs. As the service is being switched off, you’ll find fewer (or no) tariffs being offered for those with an RTS meter.

To stop this happening, you’ll need to get your current meter replaced. Most of the major UK energy suppliers, including British Gas, Eon Next, EDF, Octopus, and Ovo have stated that you’ll stay on the same or a very similar tariff when your RTS meter is replaced.

To find out more, visit www.ofgem.gov.uk.