Electricity meter warning as fears 300,000 will stop working after tech axe
Hundreds of thousands of Brits risk being "cut off" from electricity ahead of a looming tech shakeup.
The urgent warning comes as a phased shutdown of Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which was first introduced in the 1980s, will commence on June, 30 this year. RTS meters use radio signals to switch between different types of electricity rates or turn certain appliances on/off at specific times of the day - and are still being used in almost 400,000 households.
As previously reported, RTS was originally supposed to be switched off last year, but this was scrapped to allow energy suppliers more time to replace the out-of-date system. However, energy firms have admitted it will be 'very, very difficult' to meet the new deadline despite the extension.
Now, campaigners fear 300,000 homes are at risk of their hot water and heating remaining continually on - or being cut off from electricity altogether. Energy UK says more than 1,000 RTS meters are being replaced each day - but based on end-of-March figures, firms would need to remove 5,000 meters daily to remove every single one.
Simon Francis of End Fuel Poverty Coalition warns Brits with RTS meters could end up receiving sky-high bills if their energy is stuck on constantly. "We need to ensure contingency measures are in place for those who do not make the deadline and require energy suppliers to ensure fair metering and billing practices," he told the Guardian.
RTS meters were mainly installed for Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariffs for cheaper night-time electricity, as well as RTS-only tariffs like Comfort Plus and Total Heat Total Control, and controlling storage heaters or water heaters. According to experts over at Energy Savings Trust, you might have an RTS meter if you:
Use electric heating to heat your home.
Have a tariff where the price of electricity changes at different times of day.
Have a separate box near your electricity meter with the words 'radio teleswitch' or 'radio telemeter'.
You have two codes on your electricity bill that start with the letter S. These are 'supply numbers' or 'S numbers'.
Live in a house with no gas connection (more common for those living in rural regions).
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Brits with RTS meters are being urged to get in contact with their energy supplier as soon as possible to get it replaced. Your supplier has a responsibility to replace your meter and make sure that there is 'no disruption' to your electricity supply.
"Your supplier should upgrade you to a smart meter for free," Energy Savings Trust said. "If you can't have a smart meter, it still has to replace your RTS meter with a suitable alternative."
If your supplier says it can't replace your meter before June 30, you have a right to make a complaint. You can view Citizens Advice's example letter here.
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