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Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
RTS meter switch off: 1000s risk of heating, hot water loss
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Homes may face higher bills or disruption as outdated energy meters are phased out ⚡️ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Over 300,000 homes could lose heating and hot water if their RTS meters aren't replaced by June 30 The Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) is being phased out, and energy companies are behind on meter replacements Ofgem warns of potential issues, including continuous heating or hot water, and inaccurate billing The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has raised concerns about the slow progress, especially in rural areas Households with RTS meters are urged to contact their supplier to arrange a replacement before the deadline Industry officials have said over 300,000 homes are at risk of losing access to hot water and heating when their electricity meters are deactivated on Monday, June 30. Energy companies have said that, given the current pace of meter replacements, thousands of Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters are unlikely to be upgraded before the technology is phased out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The RTS system, used by older electricity meters to manage heating and hot water, relies on a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates. But the technology is becoming outdated, and energy companies face a deadline to replace affected meters by June 30. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) | Wikimedia Commons An Energy UK spokesperson, representing energy firms, confirmed that as of March 31, 430,000 households were still using RTS meters, with over 1,000 being replaced daily. Campaigners warn that this suggests more than 300,000 households could be left without a working meter from July 1. Most homes with standard meters, whether or not they have a smart meter, will not be impacted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ned Hammond, Energy UK's deputy director for customers, told BBC Radio 4's You And Yours programme that the rate of replacement is rising, but added: 'Obviously we'd need to increase from there significantly still to replace all the meters by the end of June.' Asked whether it is impossible to get every RTS meter switched over by June 30, he said: 'I wouldn't want to say impossible – but clearly very, very difficult to get to that point.' What will happen if my RTS meter is switched off? Industry regulator Ofgem has warned that the risks of having a non-functioning meter include heating and hot water left continually on or off, electric storage heaters charging at inappropriate times, potentially resulting in higher bills, and the supplier being unable to track electricity usage during peak or off-peak periods. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to both the watchdog and the Government to express concerns over the pace and communication of the meter replacement programme. The coalition argued that the replacement effort is significantly behind schedule, with energy suppliers failing to meet existing targets, leaving thousands of customers - particularly in rural Scotland - without a clear plan for replacement. How do I upgrade my RTS meter? According to Ofgem, you may have a RTS meter if: Your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it Your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters There is no gas supply to your area You get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, on an Economy 7 tariff If you haven't been contacted, Ofgem recommends contacting your supplier to arrange the replacement. But beware if someone contacts you claiming you need to pay to change your meter because it is likely to be a scam. A Smart Energy GB spokeswoman said: 'Most RTS meter replacements will be a smart meter, which can be programmed to deliver a similar service to RTS and offer the best option for the vast majority of homes and businesses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Smart meters provide accurate, automatic meter readings and give you greater visibility over your energy usage, helping you to manage your usage and save money. With a smart meter you'll also have access to a range of tariffs to suit your situation.' Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Beware the great energy switch off as hundreds of thousands face being hit by meter change
Hundreds of thousands of Scots are at risk of losing their hot water and heating when their electricity meters are switched off next month, it was warned last night. Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters – which date back to the early 1980s and use radio signals to switch the meter from peak to off-peak prices – are about to be deactivated. But many householders are struggling to get them replaced in time, sparking fears that they will be left without a hot water supply and functioning heating if their meter is not replaced before the end of June. Last night there were fears that not enough had been done to prevent widespread confusion and fear, particularly among vulnerable and elderly bill-payers. Scottish Tory energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'These changes pose a serious risk to elderly and vulnerable customers in particular who could lose access to heating and hot water in a matter of weeks. 'Both SNP and Labour ministers should do everything possible to raise awareness of these issues and outline how they will support those who need help transferring to the new system.' By the end of April, more than 430,000 RTS meters still had to be replaced in the UK - with around 135,000 located in Scottish properties. The reason for the disproportionate number in Scotland is partly due to geography - with a large rural population in areas like the Highlands and Islands, many households are off the mains gas grid and therefore more likely to use electricity for hot water and heating. Energy companies have admitted that current rates of replacement mean it is likely that thousands of RTS meters will not have been upgraded before the technology is switched off. The RTS system – a feature of older electricity meters which controls heating and hot water - uses a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates. But the technology is becoming obsolete and energy companies have a deadline to change their customers' meters by June 30. The number of individual Scots affected by the RTS shambles could run into the hundreds of thousands. Most homes have standard meters and will not be affected, whether or not they have a smart meter. More than 1,000 RTS meters are being replaced every day in the UK. Ned Hammond, deputy director for customers of Energy UK, which represents energy firms, told BBC Radio 4's You And Yours programme that the rate of replacement is rising, but added: 'Obviously we'd need to increase from there significantly still to replace all the meters by the end of June.' Asked whether it is impossible to get every RTS meter switched over by June 30, he said: 'I wouldn't want to say impossible - but clearly very, very difficult to get to that point.' 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. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to the watchdog and the Government to raise concerns about the pace and communication of the meter replacement effort. The coalition said the replacement programme is falling dangerously behind schedule, with energy suppliers unable to meet existing targets and thousands of customers - especially in rural Scotland - still without a plan for replacement. The letter reads: 'Based on our members' conversations with energy suppliers, we estimate that, in Scotland alone, tens of thousands of RTS meters are yet to be addressed, leaving many consumers in limbo.' Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: 'Our member organisations across the country will continue to do all they can to support the transition and raise awareness of the switch, but urgent action is now required.' According to Ofgem, you may have an RTS meter if your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it; your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters; there is no gas supply to your area; you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, on an Economy 7 tariff. If you haven't been contacted, Ofgem recommends contacting your supplier to arrange the replacement. Ofgem said householders should 'beware if someone contacts you claiming you need to pay to change your meter because it is likely to be a scam'. Speaking in March, the Scottish Government's Acting Minister for Climate Action Dr Alasdair Allan said: 'There is a real and pressing need for suppliers to be made to explain what their workforce plan is to get engineers to premises. 'Consideration should also be given to additional enforcement action to reduce no-show instances and to ensure that every household is fitted with a fully functioning meter before the deadline. 'Due to the cost of living crisis, it is also unacceptable to expect consumers to pay for expensive re-wiring as a consequence of the RTS switch-off - they should not be confronted with any additional anxieties. 'The creation of a fund to support consumers in this position is critical. 'While devolved governments do not hold the levers, the Scottish Government will work with Ofgem, the UK Government and industry to raise awareness of the RTS switch-off.'
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
RTS meter switch off: 1000s risk of heating, hot water loss
Homes may face higher bills or disruption as outdated energy meters are phased out ⚡️ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Over 300,000 homes could lose heating and hot water if their RTS meters aren't replaced by June 30 The Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) is being phased out, and energy companies are behind on meter replacements Ofgem warns of potential issues, including continuous heating or hot water, and inaccurate billing The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has raised concerns about the slow progress, especially in rural areas Households with RTS meters are urged to contact their supplier to arrange a replacement before the deadline Industry officials have said over 300,000 homes are at risk of losing access to hot water and heating when their electricity meters are deactivated on Monday, June 30. Energy companies have said that, given the current pace of meter replacements, thousands of Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters are unlikely to be upgraded before the technology is phased out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The RTS system, used by older electricity meters to manage heating and hot water, relies on a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates. But the technology is becoming outdated, and energy companies face a deadline to replace affected meters by June 30. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) | Wikimedia Commons An Energy UK spokesperson, representing energy firms, confirmed that as of March 31, 430,000 households were still using RTS meters, with over 1,000 being replaced daily. Campaigners warn that this suggests more than 300,000 households could be left without a working meter from July 1. Most homes with standard meters, whether or not they have a smart meter, will not be impacted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ned Hammond, Energy UK's deputy director for customers, told BBC Radio 4's You And Yours programme that the rate of replacement is rising, but added: 'Obviously we'd need to increase from there significantly still to replace all the meters by the end of June.' Asked whether it is impossible to get every RTS meter switched over by June 30, he said: 'I wouldn't want to say impossible – but clearly very, very difficult to get to that point.' What will happen if my RTS meter is switched off? Industry regulator Ofgem has warned that the risks of having a non-functioning meter include heating and hot water left continually on or off, electric storage heaters charging at inappropriate times, potentially resulting in higher bills, and the supplier being unable to track electricity usage during peak or off-peak periods. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to both the watchdog and the Government to express concerns over the pace and communication of the meter replacement programme. The coalition argued that the replacement effort is significantly behind schedule, with energy suppliers failing to meet existing targets, leaving thousands of customers - particularly in rural Scotland - without a clear plan for replacement. How do I upgrade my RTS meter? According to Ofgem, you may have a RTS meter if: Your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it Your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters There is no gas supply to your area You get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, on an Economy 7 tariff If you haven't been contacted, Ofgem recommends contacting your supplier to arrange the replacement. But beware if someone contacts you claiming you need to pay to change your meter because it is likely to be a scam. A Smart Energy GB spokeswoman said: 'Most RTS meter replacements will be a smart meter, which can be programmed to deliver a similar service to RTS and offer the best option for the vast majority of homes and businesses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Smart meters provide accurate, automatic meter readings and give you greater visibility over your energy usage, helping you to manage your usage and save money. With a smart meter you'll also have access to a range of tariffs to suit your situation.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
300,000 households to lose heating in smart meter push
More than 300,000 households face losing hot water and heating when electricity meters are switched off on June 30. Energy firms have admitted they are unlikely to replace thousands of Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters with smart meters before the old technology is phased out next month. According to Energy UK, at the end of March, 430,000 households still used RTS which relies on the BBC's longwave radio signal to switch meters between peak and off-peak rates. Longwave also powers BBC Radio 4, however the BBC is now shutting down the technology as it is becoming obsolete. The trade body for energy companies has agreed with the regulator Ofgem to switch off RTS meters, which date back to the 1980s, and move customers on to smart meters instead. The rollout of smart meters has been controversial because of data privacy concerns and 'dumb' meters that left thousands of customers with incorrect bills. Energy UK has said that more than 1,000 RTS meters are now being replaced every day. But this suggests hundreds of thousands of homes will not be switched over in time and could be left with a meter that does not work. Ned Hammond, Energy UK's deputy director for customers, told BBC Radio 4's You And Yours programme that the rate of replacement is rising. However, he said: 'Obviously we'd need to increase from there significantly still to replace all the meters by the end of June.' When asked whether it would be impossible to replace every RTS meter by the deadline, he said: 'I wouldn't want to say impossible – but clearly very, very difficult to get to that point.' The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to the watchdog and the Government warning that the replacement effort is dangerously behind schedule. Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: 'Our member organisations across the country will continue to do all they can to support the transition and raise awareness of the switch, but urgent action is now required. 'There is a very real risk that over 300,000 households will find their RTS meter stops working properly come July 1 2025. 'With pressures on the replacement programme growing and with limited engineer availability, especially in rural areas, there's a real risk of prolonged disruption, particularly for vulnerable households. 'Government, regulators and energy firms need to face up to the looming crisis and ramp up efforts to help people switch. 'At the same time we now need to ensure contingency measures are in place for those who do not make the deadline and require energy suppliers to ensure fair metering and billing practices.' An Ofgem spokesman said the RTS upgrade programme was an 'urgent consumer welfare issue' and it was determined to ensure customers were protected when the technology goes out of action. They continued: 'In recent weeks we have seen evidence of suppliers significantly stepping up their activity in these remote areas, such as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and solutions to improve smart meter connectivity in the north have been launched. 'So, we urge any customers who may have previously struggled to get their RTS meter replaced to please contact their supplier again to arrange an appointment. 'Ofgem has also demanded action plans from every supplier, which we are scrutinising on an ongoing basis to ensure that robust contingencies are in place to protect any customers who remain on RTS meters after the phased switch-off process begins.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
300,000 households to lose heating in smart meter push
More than 300,000 households face losing hot water and heating when electricity meters are switched off on June 30. Energy firms have admitted they are unlikely to replace thousands of Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters with smart meters before the old technology is phased out next month. According to Energy UK, at the end of March, 430,000 households still used RTS which relies on the BBC's longwave radio signal to switch meters between peak and off-peak rates. Longwave also powers BBC Radio 4, however the BBC is now shutting down the technology as it is becoming obsolete. The trade body for energy companies has agreed with the regulator Ofgem to switch off RTS meters, which date back to the 1980s, and move customers on to smart meters instead. The rollout of smart meters has been controversial because of data privacy concerns and 'dumb' meters that left thousands of customers with incorrect bills. Energy UK has said that more than 1,000 RTS meters are now being replaced every day. But this suggests hundreds of thousands of homes will not be switched over in time and could be left with a meter that does not work. Ned Hammond, Energy UK's deputy director for customers, told BBC Radio 4's You And Yours programme that the rate of replacement is rising. However, he said: 'Obviously we'd need to increase from there significantly still to replace all the meters by the end of June.' When asked whether it would be impossible to replace every RTS meter by the deadline, he said: 'I wouldn't want to say impossible – but clearly very, very difficult to get to that point.' The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to the watchdog and the Government warning that the replacement effort is dangerously behind schedule. Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: 'Our member organisations across the country will continue to do all they can to support the transition and raise awareness of the switch, but urgent action is now required. 'There is a very real risk that over 300,000 households will find their RTS meter stops working properly come July 1 2025. 'With pressures on the replacement programme growing and with limited engineer availability, especially in rural areas, there's a real risk of prolonged disruption, particularly for vulnerable households. 'Government, regulators and energy firms need to face up to the looming crisis and ramp up efforts to help people switch. 'At the same time we now need to ensure contingency measures are in place for those who do not make the deadline and require energy suppliers to ensure fair metering and billing practices.' An Ofgem spokesman said the RTS upgrade programme was an 'urgent consumer welfare issue' and it was determined to ensure customers were protected when the technology goes out of action. They continued: 'In recent weeks we have seen evidence of suppliers significantly stepping up their activity in these remote areas, such as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and solutions to improve smart meter connectivity in the north have been launched. 'So, we urge any customers who may have previously struggled to get their RTS meter replaced to please contact their supplier again to arrange an appointment. 'Ofgem has also demanded action plans from every supplier, which we are scrutinising on an ongoing basis to ensure that robust contingencies are in place to protect any customers who remain on RTS meters after the phased switch-off process begins.'
