What the RTS Switchover means for your heating and bills

The Radio Teleswitch Service is being switched off area by area, which may affect some older electricity meters used for heating and hot water.

If you have an RTS meter, your electricity supplier should contact you about replacing it, usually with a smart meter.

Don’t ignore letters, emails or calls from your supplier. If you’re unsure what to do, LEAP can help you understand your options.

The Radio Teleswitch Service (often shortened to RTS) is changing. For many households, this won’t mean anything at all. But if you have an older electricity meter, especially one linked to storage heaters, electric heating or hot water, it’s important to check whether you could be affected.

Here’s what the RTS switchover means, how to check your meter and what to do next.

What is the RTS switchover?

RTS is an older system that uses a radio signal to tell some electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates. It has often been used in homes with electric heating, storage heaters or immersion heaters, helping households charge heating and hot water at cheaper times of day.

This service is now being switched off in phases. Without the radio signal, some RTS meters may no longer work properly. This could affect when your heating or hot water switches on, or how your electricity usage is recorded.

(You may also hear of an RTS called “DTS,” which stands for Dynamic Teleswitch Service. Both terms refer to the same type of issue.)

How do I check what kind of meter I have?

You may have an RTS meter if:

• You have a separate switch box near your meter with a “Radio Teleswitch” label
• Your home uses electric heating or storage heaters
• You have an immersion heater for hot water
• You get cheaper electricity at certain times of day
• You are on a tariff such as Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control
• You live in a home without a gas supply, such as some rural properties or flats

These signs do not guarantee you have an RTS meter, but they are useful clues. A good first step is to check your latest electricity bill or look at the meter area for any RTS label. LEAP can help you check if you are unsure.

How will my switchover be managed and what do I need to do?

If you have an RTS meter, your electricity supplier should contact you about replacing it. In most cases, this will mean arranging an appointment to install a smart meter.

The most important thing you can do is respond to your supplier. Open any letters, check emails and answer calls if you are expecting contact about your meter.

You should also:

• Contact your supplier if you think you have an RTS meter but have not heard from them

• Tell them if your heating or hot water relies on your electricity meter

• Ask what tariff you will be moved to after the upgrade

• Let them know if anyone in your home is elderly, disabled, has a health condition or may need extra support

• Ask about the Priority Services Register if you need additional help

If you cannot upgrade straight away, your supplier should still work with you to make sure your service is not disrupted.

Why upgrade to a smart meter?

For many RTS customers, a smart meter is the best replacement because it can support time-of-use tariffs and help your supplier record your electricity use more accurately.

A smart meter can help by:

• Sending meter readings automatically

• Making bills more accurate, based on what you use rather than estimates

• Showing your energy use more clearly

• Helping you understand when you use the most electricity

• Giving access to some smart-meter-only tariffs

• Supporting a tariff that better reflects your heating and hot water needs

A smart meter will not reduce your bills by itself, but it can make it easier to understand your usage and spot where changes could help.

What happens if I don’t upgrade to a smart meter?

If you do not upgrade, your heating and hot water may not work as expected once the RTS signal is switched off. Storage heaters could charge at the wrong time, heating or hot water could be left on or off and your supplier may not be able to record peak and off-peak usage properly.

This could lead to higher costs, billing problems or fewer suitable tariff options. Even if everything seems fine today, it’s important not to ignore the switchover.

What to do next if you still need help

If you’re confused by your meter, worried about your tariff or unsure what your supplier is asking you to do, LEAP can help.

LEAP is a free energy advice and money-saving service for households at risk of, or living in fuel poverty. A trained advisor can talk you through your meter, bills and energy use and help you understand what steps to take next.

You can apply for LEAP support online or call our friendly team for free on 0800 060 7567 in England and Wales, or 0800 029 4543 in Scotland.