If you’re one of the nearly one million homes in the UK with electric heating, you might have something called a Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meter. Sounds fancy, but basically, it’s a special type of meter that helps control when your heating and hot water turn on, usually to save you money by using cheaper night-time electricity.

Here’s the catch: on Monday 30 June 2025, the RTS system will be switched off for good. If you don’t arrange to replace your RTS meter with your energy supplier before then, your heating and hot water could just… stop working.

So, what exactly does an RTS meter do?

It receives radio signals that switch your electricity between different rates (like Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariffs) or turn certain appliances on and off at specific times. It’s often used with storage heaters or water heaters and some special tariffs like Comfort Plus or Total Heat Total Control rely on it.

But this technology is old and being switched off, so your meter needs replacing.

How do you know if you have an RTS meter?

You might have one if you:

Use electric heating for your home

Have a tariff where electricity prices change depending on the time of day

Spot a box near your meter labelled ‘radio teleswitch’ or ‘radio telemeter’

 See two codes on your electricity bill starting with the letter ‘S’ (these are supply numbers)

Live in a home with no gas connection

Your electricity supplier may already have contacted you about this, if not, now’s a good time to get in touch.

What should you do if you have an RTS meter?

Contact your energy supplier straight away to arrange a replacement meter. They’re required to replace it for free, usually with a smart meter, which can give you more accurate bills, help you track your energy use, and keep your tariff working smoothly.

If a smart meter isn’t an option, they still must replace your RTS meter with a suitable alternative at no cost to you. Beware of anyone asking for payment, that’s likely a scam.

If your supplier says they can’t replace your meter before the 30 June deadline, you have the right to complain. Ofgem offers advice on how to do that. 

Will you have to change your energy tariff?

It depends on your supplier. They should explain your options before installing the new meter. Smart meters usually let you keep your current tariff, but if you don’t upgrade, you might have to switch to a different tariff because old meters can’t automatically adjust to your usage patterns.

What if you don’t want a smart meter or can’t get one?

No worries, you can still get your RTS meter replaced with a non-smart alternative. But it’s important to do so to keep your heating working properly and avoid any surprise charges or disruptions.

If you’re renting…

If you pay the energy bills yourself, you can arrange the meter upgrade without your landlord’s permission, though it’s polite to let them know. If your landlord pays the bills, they’re responsible for sorting the replacement. Either way, make sure someone gets it done!

What happens if you don’t replace your RTS meter?

After 30 June 2025, your heating and hot water could:

Stay on all the time.

Not come on at all.

Charge at the wrong time of day.

Turn on and off at odd times of day.

Not come on when you want them to. 

You might see your energy bills go up as a result. 

 

If you’re not sure whether your meter is affected or you’ve recently moved into a property with electric heating, don’t leave it to chance. Get in touch with your electricity supplier as soon as possible and ask the question. 

 

This blog is based on information from energysavingtrust.org.uk.