Almost one million homes across Great Britain are being urged to check their electricity meters following an important announcement from the energy regulator1. A nationwide switch-off of a decades-old system could affect how heating and hot water are delivered in many properties. If you or someone you know has an older electric meter and uses an off- peak electricity tariff, this could be essential reading.
What is happening?
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), sometimes called the Dynamic Teleswitch Service (DTS), is a technology that was introduced in the 1980s. It sends a radio signal to some older electricity meters to tell them when to switch between peak and off-peak rates. This allows households to heat their homes and water overnight when electricity is cheaper.
However, RTS is now reaching the end of its operational life. The signal infrastructure is no longer considered reliable or maintainable. As a result, the RTS signal will be permanently switched off on 30 June 20251.
According to Ofgem, around 900,000 RTS meters are still in use across Great Britain. All energy suppliers are expected to upgrade these meters before the switch-off date1.
Why does it matter?
If you do not replace your RTS meter in time, your heating and hot water may stop working properly. For example, your system may switch on or off at the wrong time or fail to charge overnight. You might also be charged at the wrong times of day, which could result in significantly higher electricity bills.
This will not affect every old-style meter. Only RTS or DTS meters are impacted. However, if your property uses electric storage heaters, panel heaters, or immersion heaters, there is a strong chance you may have one.
How to tell if you have an RTS meter
There are a few signs to look for:
- You may have a separate switch box near your electricity meter that is labelled “Radio Teleswitch”.
- Your home is heated using electricity and does not have a gas supply.
- You live in a rural area or a high-rise flat.
- You are on a multi-rate tariff such as Economy 7, Economy 10, or Total Heating Total Control, where you pay cheaper rates at night.
If you are not sure, you should contact your electricity supplier. They will be able to confirm whether you have an RTS meter and arrange for an upgrade.
What should you do?
The only technical replacement for an RTS meter is a smart meter. Smart meters can be programmed to deliver a similar service and will continue to support off-peak tariffs where available. Most households will be offered a smart meter by their electricity supplier at no cost.
If a smart meter cannot yet be installed in your area or property, your supplier will arrange for a suitable alternative. They are required to contact affected customers before the deadline to offer a replacement.
However, with hundreds of thousands of upgrades still needed, it is advisable to act early to ensure you are not left without heating or facing unnecessary delays.
What happens if you do nothing?
If you do not upgrade your RTS meter:
- Your heating and hot water may no longer function as intended.
- The system might stay on all the time or not come on at all.
- Your electricity supplier will not be able to record accurate peak and off-peak usage.
- You may lose access to cheaper off-peak rates and see your energy bills rise.
What are the benefits of a smart meter?
Smart meters are modern devices that provide many advantages. They allow for automatic readings, accurate billing based on actual usage, and real-time monitoring of your energy consumption. Some tariffs are only available to smart meter users, and the meters make it easier to identify areas where energy can be saved.
Final advice
If you are a homeowner, landlord or tenant and think your property might be affected, contact your electricity supplier as soon as possible. They will guide you through the process and arrange for a new meter to be installed in time.
Waiting too long could mean being caught out after the signal is switched off. It is better to be safe and make sure your home continues to run smoothly.
Sources:
- National Energy Action (NEA). (2025). What you need to know about the Radio Teleswitch Service switch-off. Available at: https://www.nea.org.uk/radio-teleswitch-service-switch-off/#:~:text=Energy%20regulator%20Ofgem%20estimates%20there,their%20heating%20and%20hot%20water . [Accessed 27 May 2025].
All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 29th May 2025. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.
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