Energy suppliers have warned that hundreds of thousands of UK households could face losing access to electricity and hot water unless they urgently replace outdated RTS meters before the end of June deadline.
According to Energy UK, around 260,000 homes in southern England still rely on Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters, which were originally installed during the 1980s. These meters use radio signals to manage peak and off-peak electricity rates, often serving homes in rural or remote areas without mains gas.
However, this technology is set to become obsolete on 30 June, meaning any RTS meters still in use after this date could fail, potentially leaving residents without reliable heating or hot water.
Joe Richardson, operations director at Octopus Energy, expressed serious concerns, stating: “We’re quite worried for customers who don’t replace them, as their heating might get stuck on or might not come on at all, and they might not have hot water. We really want people to get in touch with us to have these meters changed as soon as possible. It’s important not to wait until the deadline.”
Despite ongoing national campaigns urging households to switch, suppliers now face a race against time to ensure all affected meters are upgraded.
Homes with RTS meters typically have electric heating or night storage heaters, and the old meters are often installed alongside the main electricity meter, clearly marked as different. Energy experts encourage residents who still have RTS meters to urgently contact their supplier to arrange an upgrade to a smart meter.
Smart meters, unlike RTS meters, automatically provide accurate and real-time energy usage data directly to suppliers, helping customers manage their bills more effectively and sustainably.
Ilke Weiss, a homeowner from Goring, recently replaced her RTS meter with a new smart meter after upgrading her heating system. Speaking to the BBC, she said: “It’s very good to get rid of this old meter, as we also got rid of the night storage heater—every little step towards being more ecological and sustainable is good.”
However, fears and misconceptions about smart meters may still be causing hesitation for some. Anindita Sarkar from Citizens Advice Reading highlighted these concerns: “People are worried about smart meters, despite the fact they work well most of the time. It’s technology, so there might be occasional interruptions, but when they’re working well, smart meters have many advantages.”
Households are urged not to delay and to check their meters immediately. Anyone still relying on an RTS meter should contact their energy supplier urgently to ensure continuous access to essential heating and hot water services beyond June.
If you’re unsure about your meter type or want help reducing your energy costs through free, government-backed schemes:
✅ Call Energy Advice Helpline for free on 0800 802 1869
✅ Complete our short eligibility checker to find out if you qualify for free home energy upgrades
