‘Looming crisis' as 100,000 energy meters STILL being used ahead of RTS switch off in days
AN ENERGY meter warning has been issued to 100,000 customers that they face a huge bill hike if they do not take urgent action.
Homes with electricity meters that use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) need to upgrade to a smart meter before June 30 - when the service is being switched off.
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The switch off will mean that anyone with an RTS meter could find their heating or hot water does not work properly.
Some of these meters automatically turn the heating and hot water system on and off at different times during the day.
So those who do not switch in time risk permanently running their heating during peak time.
This could cause huge bill hikes for those who do not switch before the deadline.
More than 100,000 households still have these meters, according to the latest official figures.
Scotland's national advice service has warned of a 'looming crisis' over the slow replacement of thousands of ageing energy meters.
Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said vulnerable households were among those at risk of being 'left in the cold'.
In a letter to Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley, he warned that many households are still unaware of what will happen if their RTS meter is not replaced.
In the letter Mr Bartlett called for energy suppliers to identify and prioritise vulnerable customers for meter upgrades.
He also suggested that there should be a fresh public information campaign.
He said: 'With less than a month to go until the RTS signal starts being switched off across the country, it is increasingly clear that progress on replacing them has not been fast enough.
'Ofgem needs to urgently clarify if it intends to stick to the June 30 deadline and if a phased approach is being taken, which parts of Scotland will be affected first."
He said that there has been a lot of confusion among affected customers.
Some have tried to have their RTS meter replaced but have been told that is not possible until after the switch off.
He added: 'At a time when thousands of people are struggling with energy debts and the cost of living, nobody should be left out of pocket for replacing their meter either.
'Our message to consumers is that if you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if they are vulnerable, encourage them to get it replaced before the deadline if they can.'
In one case, a 69-year-old from Wishaw in North Lanarkshire said she had spent £700 to fix her kitchen after she was forced to install a smart meter ahead of the switch off.
Other customers have been told that they cannot get their meter replaced until well after the June 30 deadline.
A landlord in Edinburgh said he had been offered an appointment on July 28.
Several energy suppliers have also warned customers that they need to act.
Octopus Energy warned thousands of its customers of the switch off at the end of January.
Meanwhile, E.ON Next urged 65,000 customers to take action to avoid being cut off.
Plus EDF contacted 60,000 of its customers to warn them of the deadline.
Energy regulator Ofgem was forced to step in last year as energy providers were initially slow with the roll out.
Currently, suppliers are switching 1,000 RTS meters a day.
But in order to meet the target of switching 400,000 homes the figure would need to rise to 5,000 homes a day.
Meanwhile, many households do not even realise that they have an RTS meter and need to switch.
How to tell if you have an RTS meter
It is easy to tell if you have an RTS meter.
The oldest RTS-powered meters have a switch box labelled 'Radio Teleswitch' next to the electric meter.
Others may have the RTS switch box within the electric meter as a single box on the wall.
One way to tell is if you get cheaper energy at different times of the day.
You might be on a tariff called Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control.
Another way to tell is if your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters, Energy UK suggests.
RTS meters are also often used in areas with no gas supply, for example with high rise flats or houses in rural areas.
If your home is in one of these locations then you should check your meter.
If you are still unsure then contact your supplier and ask if you have RTS equipment.
They should be able to tell you if you do.
If you have one of these meters then you should book a smart meter installation as soon as possible.
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