The RTS switch-off: what you need to know

The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) is due to end on Monday 30 June 2025. If your electricity meter uses RTS, it must be replaced. We've got all the information about what to do next in this handy guide.

What is the Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) and what's happening to it?

The RTS uses a radio signal to tell some electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates, sometimes called ‘day’ or ‘domestic’ and ‘night’ or ‘control’. 

It was designed for homes that use electricity for their heating and hot water, for example if you have: 

  • electric storage heaters
  • panel heaters
  • wet electric heating
  • or immersion heaters in a water tank. 

If you have a RTS meter, your energy supplier usually offers a tariff that lets you pay a different price for the electricity you use for your heating and hot water than you do for the rest of your electricity, like lighting and appliances. Some offer tariffs that let you pay a different price for all the electricity you use at different times of day.

RTS is an industry-wide service. However, the technology is being switched off. Your energy supplier should get in touch to offer you a smart meter before the RTS switch-off on Monday 30 June 2025. If your meter isn’t replaced, your heating could end up always on, never on, or turning on and off at unsuitable times for you.

How do you know if you've got an RTS meter?

If you think you may have an RTS meter in your home, contact your electricity supplier who will be able to confirm for you and arrange for it to be replaced. 

  • You get cheaper electricity at different times of day. Your tariff might be called:
    - Total Heating Total Control 
    - Economy 10
    - Storage Heating Control
    - Standard Economy & Heating Load
    - Restricted Hours tariffs A,B,C and D
    - ComfortPlus White Meter
    - ComfortPlus White Meter with Weathercall
    - ComfortPlus Control 
    - or Economy 7.
  • There may be a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it. Work out the type of meter you have on Citizens Advice Scotland's website.
  • Your property is heated using storage heaters or other electric heating.
  • On your electricity bill/statement, the top line of the MPAN (the Meter Point Administration Number, a unique identifier for your electricity supply) will start with ‘02’.

How do you get a smart meter?

Your energy supplier can replace your RTS meter with a smart meter. They may have already contacted you to book a meter upgrade. If you haven’t heard from them or are unsure how to book a meter upgrade, get in touch with them and ask them to upgrade your RTS meter to a smart meter.

Find out more about smart meters
A customer sits infront of her computer with a leaflet on the table and an advisor next to her holding a smart meter and showing her how it works

Will your electricity tariff be the same?

You will be able to get a tariff for your heating and hot water once your meter is replaced, but it may be different than your current tariff. Your supplier will tell you which tariffs are available to you. Once you have a smart meter, you can switch to a different tariff or energy supplier to get one that suits you best.

senior couple looking at paperwork bills

What will happen if your meter isn’t replaced?

Without a new meter, your heating and hot water will be affected. You may find they are always on or off, or the charging happens at the wrong time of day. Your electricity supplier won’t be able to confirm how much electricity you have used for your heating and other electricity use, which means your electricity costs could be much higher than before. A smart meter will ensure your heating is not disrupted.

Your supplier says they can’t give you a smart meter yet: what should you do?

If you have tried to book your meter upgrade and can’t get an appointment, then you can raise a complaint. Your energy supplier must make sure you have a suitable meter installed and that your service is not disrupted. Your supplier should explain how to raise a complaint on their website, on an energy bill, or over the phone. 

If your complaint has not been resolved by your supplier, then you can raise a dispute with the Energy Ombudsman. The Energy Ombudsman is impartial and will try to resolve the issue. You can only raise a dispute with the Energy Ombudsman if:

  • your complaint has not been resolved by your supplier within eight weeks
  • you have received a letter stating your problem can’t be fixed.

Go to the Energy Ombudsman website to read about the process for raising a dispute.

Your supplier says they can’t give you a smart meter because of a poor network connection: what should you do?

If your supplier tells you they can’t install a smart meter because of a poor connection to the network in your area, they still need to replace your meter to ensure your heating is not disrupted. Your supplier should offer you another solution. 

The most likely solution is to install a smart meter pre-programmed with the right time-of-use tariff before it is installed. This means you’ll not get all the benefits of a smart meter and you’ll need to manually submit energy readings to your supplier, but your heating and hot water should continue to work and you’ll have access to an on and off-peak tariff after the RTS switch-off. 

When the full network coverage reaches your area your supplier should arrange to connect your smart meter to the network. This will give you access to the full benefits of a smart meter. 

Your supplier must take all reasonable steps to install a smart meter and ensure your heating is not disrupted. If your supplier has not provided you with a suitable solution, then you can raise a complaint. 

You can read more on Ofgem’s website about a supplier’s obligations when you request a smart meter upgrade.

You don’t want a smart meter: what should you do?

Your supplier can install a smart meter pre-programmed with the right time-of-use tariff before it is installed. Your supplier will not be able to see the information on your energy use over the network. You’ll need to send readings manually to receive an accurate bill and will be unable to access all the other benefits of a smart meter, but your heating and hot water should continue to work and you’ll have access to an on and off-peak tariff after the RTS switch-off.

What are the other benefits of a smart meter?

  • You’ll get accurate bills based on the energy you’ve used instead of an estimate.
  • Meter readings are submitted automatically, so there’s no need to manually submit your energy readings.
  • ‘Smart meter-only’ tariffs could save you more money.
  • You can keep a closer eye on how much energy you’re using and how much you’re spending.
  • You can see where you might be able to save energy, for example by turning the heating down when you don’t need it or switching the TV off at the wall.

Find out more