08-05-2025
Residents in North Lanarkshire urged to check their electricity meters as RTS switch-off looms
Over 5000 properties could see problems with their heating and hot water
More than 5000 properties in North Lanarkshire could potentially be left with no heating or hot water if they don't have their meters changed by June 30.
Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, has warned that there are 5100 Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters in North Lanarkshire still awaiting replacement ahead of the system ending in summer.
Ms Adamson is urging constituents to check their energy meters as the RTS will be switched off at the end of June.
RTS – Radio Teleswitch Service – is a system dating back to the 1980s that uses a radio signal to tell meters to switch between different electricity price rates.
If you have an old RTS meter, you'll need to have it replaced with a smart meter before this date to avoid potential disruptions to your heating and hot water.
Figures suggest by the end of April there were about 432,000 RTS meters still to be replaced in the UK – with nearly 135,000 located in Scottish properties.
So how do you know if you have an RTS Meter?
You get cheaper electricity at different times of day – and the switching occurs automatically.
There are some key things to look out for:
Your tariff might be called:
Total Heating Total Control
Economy 10
Storage Heating Control
Standard Economy & Heating Load
Restricted Hours tariffs A,B,C and D
ComfortPlus White Meter
ComfortPlus White Meter with Weathercall
ComfortPlus Control
Economy 7
Some, but not all RTS systems, have a separate box near the electricity meter with the words 'radio teleswitch' or 'radio telemeter'.
You can work out the type of meter you have by visiting Citizens Advice Scotland's website.
Homes with electric storage and water heaters are more likely to use the equipment.
On your electricity bill/statement, the top line of the MPAN (the Meter Point Administration Number, a unique identifier for your electricity supply) will start with '02'.
Ms Adamson, SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said: 'Though most households will be unaffected by the RTS switch-off, I am really concerned that it will have a disproportionate impact in Scotland where we have a higher number of people off the mains gas grid.
'There are reportedly over 5000 RTS meters in North Lanarkshire still in use. And energy suppliers appear to be behind with people finding it difficult to get an appointment.
'The SNP has called for the switch-off date to be delayed, or for a guarantee of compensation if customers face increased costs. This is a matter reserved to the UK Government so we need to see some urgency from the Labour administration.
'Your energy supplier should get in touch to offer you a smart meter before the RTS switch-off on Monday, June 30, 2025. But it is best to contact your energy supplier directly rather than waiting as we are close to the deadline.
'If your RTS meter isn't replaced, your heating could end up always on, never on, or turning on and off at unsuitable times for you.
'Please be wary of people trying to charge for replacing your meter; scammers exploit these kinds of situations. Your energy supplier should replace old RTS meters for free, though there may be costs if re-wiring is involved.'
