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Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
UK postcodes with highest energy bills named as warning sent to millions
According to the Government's latest available data, the CR0 postcode in Croydon, South London, used the most combined electricity and gas in 2023 - twice as much as other boroughs Around 2.5 million households across the UK have been issued a warning as the areas with the highest energy consumption have been disclosed. The most recent government data has pinpointed the UK postcodes with the greatest electricity and gas usage, alongside warnings for households on Economy 7 tariffs. As of 30 June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) began its phase-out, meaning the radio signal that operates Economy 7 meters will eventually be deactivated, rendering meter control impossible. This switch-off will impact energy customers who have an RTS meter in their property, potentially disrupting their heating and hot water supply. However, meters are currently being replaced nationwide in a phased manner to minimise disruption. It comes after Martin Lewis warned 'nothing to do with me' after complaints from money savers. Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, previously issued a warning to households in June. Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, he stated: "Got an old Economy 7 or multi-rate electricity meter? The 'Radio Teleswitch Service' which allows some old (non-smart) meters to function will be switched off at end of this month. It could mean your heating and hot water won't function properly, or incorrect bills. You need a meter upgrade now." As reported by Manchester Evening News, the latest available Government data said that the CR0 postcode in Croydon, London had the highest combined electricity and gas usage in 2023. UK postcodes with the highest electricity use The CR0 postcode witnessed 224,034,930.99 kWh of electricity consumption across 61,886 households in the region. This equates to an average of 3,620.12 per household, which is nearly 1000 kWh above the national average of 2,700. kWh used - Electricity CR0 224034930.99 E14 171017722.06 LE2 150549144.34 LE3 141917617.09 SL6 141616301.55 N1 131078524.94 BN2 129748451.88 SE1 125601027.36 E17 124215668.64 BN3 121700778.81 READ MORE: Thousands of people to get free £290 payment this year - see who is eligible UK postcodes with the highest gas consumption For gas usage, the identical postcode recorded 61,886 households consuming 695,027,142.56 kWh, positioning them marginally below the national average of 11,500 kWh at approximately 11,230 kWh per household. kWh Used - Gas CR0 695027142.56 LE2 570963489.32 LE3 482089812.55 LE4 463536589.02 NG5 436596630.24 LE5 426926424.31 SL6 426231598.44 ST5 414291175.62 CV6 401969225.78 SW19 394512742.79 Steve Ferguson from Jefferson Gas offered some energy-saving advice for residents adapting to new metres and tariffs following the switch-off. "The advantage of Economy 7 tariffs has always been the ability to carry out tasks that use a lot of energy at times when the pricing is lower or 'off peak'," he explained. "With the RTS switch-off meaning that this may no longer be possible, people who have relied on this to cut their energy bills may find themselves having to change their habits in order to adapt." Steve continued: "While it would require an initial investment, those with the available budget may wish to change their electric heating system to Gas, as per unit, electricity on average is around 25 pence per KWH with a daily standing charge of 51 pence, and gas is on average around 6-7 pence per unit. Depending on your consumption, you may be able to recoup your investment in a relatively short amount of time." He added: "Similarly, it's worth checking the energy efficiency ratings of any older appliances and updating them where possible, as this will minimise the amount of energy used in everyday tasks such as cooking or laundry. Even small steps such as switching from filament to LED lightbulbs can help to lower your consumption. Ultimately however the best way to cut usage is by building better habits." Research from 2018 revealed that households leaving lights blazing throughout the night waste over 3 million pounds every single night in squandered electricity - a figure that would be considerably higher given today's soaring prices. Steven said: "While it's certainly not a new message, remembering to switch off lights when you leave a room is arguably more important now that more people are working from home." "If you have the space, hang clothes to dry on sunny days instead of using the tumble drier. When you make a cup of tea or coffee, only boil as much water as you need and while a long bath is a great way to relax, a 4 minute shower will use a lot less energy for the same result," he concluded.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
'Shambolic' mass meter replacement 'could leave households without hot water'
Energy bosses insist they are doing all they can to prepare households for a meter switch-over but concerns remains that people could be caught out A mass switch-off of nearly 300,000 electricity meters has been branded a 'shambles' as it formally got under way. Critics warn households risk being left without hot water or heating - an even bigger issue if the process is not concluded by the autumn, which is looking highly unlikely. Some older electricity meters will stop working when the Radio Teleswitch Service - a signal that tells them when to switch between peak and off-peak rates - is phased out. These meters, which include some Economy 7 versions, will have to be removed and replaced with more modern smart meters instead. But despite the industry having ages to prepare for the switch over, it is believed there are nearly 300,000 of the older style meters still in people's homes. The deadline has already been delayed from March last year. The process is starting off slowly for fears that large numbers of people will be caught out, with concerns ranging from them being left with no electricity, through to not being able to turn the heating off, and electric storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day and possibly leading to higher bills. Industry body Energy UK said a 'small number' of meters were deactivated yesterday, without going into more detail. Sources suggested plans have been approved by regulator Ofgem and ministers to switch off around 600 in July. Energy UK also refused to reveal where the first areas were, despite saying people with affected meters had been informed directly, as had MPs, MSPs and local authorities with activity within their areas. Other sources said it is understood to include parts of south-east London, the East Midlands and south Wales. With the heatwave, campaigners are less concerned now than what will happen when the cold weather hits later in the year. Without a dramatic increase in the switch to smart meters, there are concerns that people could be left without hot water and heating in the autumn, when temperatures begin to tumble. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: 'It's all a shambles'. Speaking last month, he said: 'Government, regulators and energy firms need to face up to the looming crisis and ramp up efforts to help people switch.' Dhara Vyas, chief executive of Energy UK, said: 'Hundreds of thousands of people have already replaced their meter successfully, and suppliers have ramped up resources and are ready to go. Due to high demand, appointments are being booked up quickly, and so people should get in touch as soon as possible, and not wait until it's too late.' She added: 'It remains our objective to replace as many meters as possible quickly whilst still carefully managing our approach, as the longer the service runs the more chance of failure, which could affect hundreds of thousands of homes at once. 'So we need everyone's help in responding to suppliers' communications, ensuring they book an appointment and sticking to appointments if they have them booked.' There are different reasons why households might still have one of the older meters, with one reason being they live in an area with no gas supply. According to Energy UK, you may have an RTS meter if: * The property is heated using electricity or storage heaters. * You get cheaper energy at different times of day (usually overnight). The tariff might be Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control. * There is no gas supply to the property. This is often the case in blocks of flats and premises in rural areas. * There may be a separate switch box near your consumer's meter with a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) label on it.
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Households in Scotland face RTS meter switch uncertainty
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which controls these meters, is being gradually deactivated after a last-minute intervention by the UK Government. Advice Direct Scotland said the move, however, has left Scottish households uncertain about their energy use, as it is unclear who will be affected first. The charity criticised the lack of clarity from energy regulator Ofgem, saying it leaves consumers in the dark. Read more: Subscribers can win Fortnum's hamper, Wimbledon prizes and John Lewis voucher Lisbon Lion John Clark's funeral details revealed as fans invited to pay respects The RTS meters, introduced in the 1980s, use outdated longwave radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. Advice Direct Scotland said without replacements, customers risk losing control of their heating or hot water, or being moved onto a more expensive single-rate tariff. The first phase of the RTS switch-off is intended to impact only a "very small number of homes and businesses in carefully targeted local areas". Affected customers should be informed in advance by their suppliers, with local teams ready to swiftly respond to any heating or hot water issues. Advice Direct Scotland has been advocating for a dedicated remediation fund, supported by the energy industry, to be established for customers facing additional costs or disruption. It highlighted one case where a 69-year-old from Wishaw had to spend £700 fixing her kitchen after being forced to install a smart meter. Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: "Given that there are still around 100,000 RTS meters in Scotland, a mass switch-off of the signal today would have been nothing short of a disaster. "While it is welcome that ministers stepped in and ensured a phased approach instead, customers are still being left in the dark about who will be affected first. "The whole process has been sorely lacking in transparency, and there is still a lot of unnecessary confusion and uncertainty about how this gradual switch-off is going to work. "As well as more clarity, we would like to see a commitment to an industry-backed remediation fund, ensuring that nobody is left out of pocket for replacing their meter. "The most important thing to remember is that free help and advice is available. "Anyone who is worried should visit or call 0808 196 8660 for assistance."
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Energy suppliers to contact customers as nationwide shut-off shifts
Households will need to take action before the radio signal connecting their meters and energy suppliers shuts down Approximately 314,000 households in the UK utilise Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters for their energy supply. However, the radio signal these meters depend on is being retired, which could lead to soaring bills or disruption to heating and hot water supplies for those who fail to act before the switch off. The original deadline for this switch off was June 30, but just days ahead of this date, the government confirmed that the change will be implemented in a "cautious and targeted phase out". This update came after fuel poverty campaigners argued that the hard cut-off was "unachievable". The government has assured those affected by the switch off that they will be contacted by their suppliers, who can advise on the necessary steps to take. Disability charity Scope also highlighted: "We are urging disabled people to act, before Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are switched off." Phil, Scope's Disability Energy Support expert, shared his own experience: "I recently upgraded my own RTS meter, and this is what you need to know." He cautioned: "If you have an RTS meter (black box in the image), your heating and hot water supply could stop working as normal. You may find it's continually left on or off, or the charging-up happens at the wrong time of day. "Your energy bills could be much higher than before. This is because your electricity supplier won't be able to confirm how much electricity you have used during peak or off-peak times. " Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, made an announcement in a written statement on June 18, stating: "My department has stepped in to ensure there will be a managed and more controlled start of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30 June. People with an RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month." The Scope expert urged consumers: "It's important that you contact your energy supplier before the switch-off. This will ensure there is no disruption to your electricity supply or impact on your bills." "Contact your electricity supplier as soon as possible and ask for a free upgrade to a smart meter. You're not required to accept a smart meter. "In some cases, a smart meter upgrade may not be available. Your supplier must still provide a suitable alternative to keep your energy supply running properly. Speak to your supplier to understand the options available to you." To identify if you have an RTS meter, Phil outlined the following indicators: You have a separate switch box near your meter labelled 'Radio Teleswitch' Your home is heated with electricity or storage heaters There's no gas supply in your area You get cheaper energy at certain times of the day
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switching off RTS energy meter system to be delayed, says Government
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) switch-off is to be delayed, the Government has announced, following warnings that it was likely to cause considerable disruption to hundreds of thousands of households. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said there will be a 'managed and more controlled start' to the RTS phaseout from June 30, and those with an affected meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month. The RTS system, used by older electricity meters to control heating and hot water, uses a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates. The technology is becoming obsolete and energy companies had a deadline to change their customers' meters by June 30. However, firms have admitted that current rates of replacement meant it was likely that thousands of RTS meters would not have been upgraded before the technology is switched off. Energy UK, which represents firms, said 392,000 households still had the meters as of mid April. Industry regulator Ofgem has said the risks associated with not having a functioning meter include heating and hot water left continually on or off, electric storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills, and the supplier being unable to confirm electricity usage during peak or off-peak times. In a written statement on Wednesday, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said the pace of RTS replacements by industry had been 'too slow', leaving 314,935 RTS meters still in homes as of May 30. She said: 'My department has worked to ensure industry will pursue a more controlled approach to the phaseout, beginning with a very small number of homes and businesses in carefully targeted local areas. During this process, Government and Ofgem will closely monitor supplier readiness to ensure the process is smooth and vulnerable consumers are identified and protected. 'These steps will help ensure suppliers are ready to respond quickly in case of any issues and that working families and the elderly are protected throughout the phaseout process. 'The Government is working closely with industry and Ofgem to ensure this next period is planned effectively and consumers, particularly those who are vulnerable, are protected.' She added: 'Suppliers will continue contacting consumers to book replacement appointments and consumers are urged to respond as soon as possible. 'In most cases, this will involve replacing the RTS meter with a smart meter, which can work in the same way as RTS meters, with automatic peak and off-peak rates, and the ability to turn heating and hot water systems on and off, ensuring minimal disruption to households. 'In advance of any phaseout activity in their area, households and businesses will be contacted by their energy supplier to inform them well ahead of time, if their meters will be affected.' Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, which wrote to Ofgem and the Government to raise concerns about the pace and communication of the meter replacement effort, said: 'The RTS switch-off process was doomed to failure after it became clear that the deadline was simply unachievable. 'Ministers are right to be getting a grip on the situation and holding Ofgem and the energy industry to account. 'We now need to see a plan published that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when. 'Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
