Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) Switch off

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) switch off is happening at the end of June 2025 and ’will affect some households that use an older electricity meter to heat their home and hot water.

Find out whether it will affect you and how to get help if you need it. 

What is the Radio Teleswitch Service?

The Radio Teleswitch Service – RTS – uses a radio signal to tell some older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off peak rates. It was introduced in the 1980s.

It is used for some traditional multi-rate meters and was designed to support those who use electricity for their heating and hot water. This may include those living in rural areas with no mains gas connection, those who use electric storage systems, panel heaters or immersion heaters in water tanks – some of which typically charge up overnight.

What is the RTS switch off?

The RTS has reached the end of its operational life. The service will end on 30 June 2025, when the technology that supports RTS meters is switched off.

The switch off will affect energy customers that have an RTS meter in their home. It may mean that their heating and hot water supply stops working as normal.

What are electricity suppliers doing to help?

All electricity suppliers have been contacting impacted customers to offer them a smart meter upgrade, at no extra cost, before the RTS service ends. All customers should have been contacted by the end of 2024.

Customers are being encouraged to speak to their electricity supplier about upgrading their meter.

How do I know if I have an RTS meter?

There are a few ways you can check if you have an RTS meter:

• there may be a separate switch box near your meter with a radio teleswitch label on it
• your property is heated using electricity or storage heaters
• there is no gas supply to your area. This includes households in rural areas and high-rise flats
• you get cheaper energy at different times of day. Your tariff might be: Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control.

If you are still unsure, contact your electricity supplier, who should be able to confirm whether you have an RTS meter.

What happens if I decide not to upgrade RTS meter?

You are not obliged to accept a smart meter. If you decide not to upgrade however, the heating and/or hot water in your home could be affected once the RTS service is switched off.

You may find that your heating and/or hot water is continually left on or off, or the charging-up happens at the wrong time of day.

Your electricity supplier won’t be able to confirm how much electricity you have used during peak or off-peak times, which means your electricity costs could be much higher than before.

What happens if I can’t upgrade my RTS meter?

There may be some instances where your supplier is unable to offer a smart meter upgrade.

Your electricity supplier must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.

Speak to your supplier to understand the options available to you.