Almost 6,000 Ayrshire households at risk of losing heating and hot water

Daily Record

27-05-2025

The signal which controls radio teleswitch meters, or RTS meters, will be switched off on June 30 and thousands of people in Ayrshire are still to have theirs replaced.
Almost 6,000 households in Ayrshire have still to have their radio teleswitch (RTS) meters replaced just weeks before the signal is switched off.
The latest available figures, from mid-April, revealed that 5,923 households across the county were still relying on an RTS meter to record their energy usage.
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At the current rate of replacement, more than 4,500 homes in Ayrshire will still be relying on RTS meters when the signal is turned off on Monday, June 30.
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RTS meters, introduced in the 1980s, use outdated longwave radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates.
Without replacement, customers risk being stuck on the wrong setting, moved onto a more expensive single-rate tariff or losing heating and hot water.
Consumers are being urged to check their meters and contact their energy suppliers if they think they need a replacement, rather than waiting to be contacted.
Last week, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP Elena Whitham took part in a debate in the Scottish Parliament calling for more to be done to support people with the transition or to postpone the switch-off date so that everyone affected can prepare.
Ms Whitham said: 'The RTS switch-off takes place on June 30 - and it could have real consequences for households that have been unable to make the switch.
'I have heard from constituents who have done their part to get ready for the cut-off date but have faced hurdles which have left them in limbo.
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'This is completely unacceptable and the UK Government must take control of the situation to ensure no one is left worse off.
'The switch-off date must be postponed, or full compensation must be given to those affected.
'Households are already struggling financially and the prospect of being stuck on a higher rate is the last thing they need to be dealing with. This is even more so the case for those who have RTS meters who are already experiencing fuel poverty.
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'While challenges are clearly being experienced, I encourage everyone to do their part and replace their RTS meter ahead of switch-off at the end of June - this is one of those simple changes that can save a lot of stress down the line.'
Across Scotland, nearly 125,000 properties are still using the obsolete energy meters but replacements are only happening at a rate of around 5,000 every two weeks.
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Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national energy advice service energyadvice.scot, has warned that urgent action is needed to avoid households being left without control of their heating or hot water when the signal controlling Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters is switched off on June 30.
Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'With less than six weeks to go until the deadline, these figures lay bare the scale of the challenge ahead. The replacement rate simply isn't fast enough and must urgently speed up.
'We are continuing to see a rise in the number of calls from worried households and expect this to increase as we get nearer to June 30.
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'The system isn't working as it should, putting thousands at risk of losing heating or hot water.
'Anyone who thinks they might be affected should act now and contact their supplier. If you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if vulnerable, encourage them to act.
'Free advice is available at energyadvice.scot or by calling 0808 196 8660.'