Ofgem urgent heating warning as 113,000 Scots at risk
The alarm has been raised by Ofgem, which revealed that 113,535 Scottish homes are still using outdated Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters—a technology that has been in use since the 1980s to control heating schedules via longwave radio signals.
Originally due to be retired in March, the RTS signal shutdown was delayed to give households more time to upgrade.
However, the new deadline of June 30 is now fast approaching, and many households still have not taken action.
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Ofgem has warned that households still using RTS meters could lose control of their heating and hot water, which may be left permanently on or off after the signal is phased out.
"Heating and hot water may be left continually on or off," Ofgem cautioned, according to The Herald.
While there won't be a mass switch-off on June 30, the signal will be phased out gradually in stages.
Energy UK, which represents the country's energy suppliers, has issued clear guidance to customers.
They have advised that they should book a smart meter replacement appointment as soon as possible.
While some appointments may be scheduled beyond the June 30 deadline, the system will still be phased out in small groups.
An Energy UK spokesman said: "There will not be a mass switch off of the RTS national signal on June 3. From this date, we will begin a phase-out of the RTS functionality for small groups of meters at a time.
"Customers should still continue to book replacement appointments as soon as possible, and should not worry if the appointment they have been given is for after June 30.
"All affected customers will be contacted in advance, but as we expect appointments to be booked up very quickly, the advice still remains for customers to contact their supplier to book a replacement at their earliest convenience."
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The organisation also confirmed that all affected customers should be contacted in advance, but encouraged people to proactively reach out to their energy supplier due to high demand for appointments.
Most Scottish homes use standard meters and will not be impacted, regardless of whether they've switched to smart meters. However, for those still dependent on RTS meters, urgent action is needed.
RTS meters were introduced in the 1980s to switch between peak and off-peak energy usage.
Their numbers were expected to decline as smart meters became more widespread, but over 100,000 Scottish homes still rely on the technology.
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