If your home is heated electrically, you might be among nearly one million households currently using a Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meter. This system is due to be switched off on Monday 30 June 2025.

RTS works by sending radio signals to certain electricity meters, allowing them to change between peak and off-peak rates.

If you don’t act soon and arrange a meter upgrade with your energy supplier, there’s a risk your heating and hot water could stop working.

RTS meters were mainly used for:

  • Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariffs for cheaper night-time electricity.
  • RTS-only tariffs like Comfort Plus and Total Heat Total Control.
  • Controlling storage heaters or water heaters.

The technology that creates the radio signal will be switched off on 30 June 2025.

Energy meter

How do I know if I have an RTS meter?

You could be using a Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meter if any of the following apply:

  • Your home is heated using electricity.
  • You're on a tariff where electricity costs vary depending on the time of day.
  • There’s a separate device near your electricity meter labelled ‘radio teleswitch’ or ‘radio telemeter’.
  • Your electricity bill shows two supply numbers (known as ‘S numbers’) that begin with the letter S.
  • Your property doesn’t have a gas supply.

Your energy provider may have already contacted you by post to arrange for your meter to be replaced.

 

I’ve got an RTS meter. What do I do?

Contact your electricity supplier as soon as possible to arrange for your RTS meter to be replaced. It’s their responsibility to make sure your supply continues without any interruption.

In most cases, you’ll be upgraded to a smart meter at no cost. If a smart meter isn’t suitable for your home, your supplier must still provide a compatible alternative.

There’s no charge for having your meter changed. If anyone asks you to pay for this service, it’s likely a scam.

If your supplier tells you they can’t replace your meter before 30 June 2025, you have the right to complain. Ofgem offers guidance on how to raise a complaint with your energy provider.