Do you have a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter?
Do you have a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter?
Here’s what you need to know
Some electricity meters in the UK use something called a Radio Teleswitch. This means they listen for a special radio signal to switch your meter between day and night rates and in some cases, they can also directly control when your heating and hot water come on.
These signals are due to be switched off on 30th June, and all RTS meters will need to be replaced before they stop working properly.
Here’s what you need to do if you think you have an RTS meter:
Check if you have an RTS meter
Look at your electricity meter. You may have a separate switch box near your energy meter labelled “radio teleswitch” or “RTS”, a second box with wires near it, or it might be labeled "multi-rate", "Economy 7", or "white meter". See FAQ's below for more information.
Call your supplier
Call your electricity supplier as soon as possible. We have included contact details for all main energy suppliers below. You’ll need to get your meter replaced as soon as possible before the radio signals stop.
Book an appointment
Make sure your electricity supplier has your up-to-date contact details as this could be why you haven’t been contacted yet. Tell your electricity supplier you have an RTS meter, they will book an appointment for you to have it replaced. Most RTS meter replacements are straightforward and take around two hours to complete.
Energy Supplier Contact Details
I don’t know who my supplier is
Please be aware of scams – meter replacement is free, so your supplier will never ask you to provide payment details or make any payment when booking an appointment.
Let’s make sure you stay connected.
Check your meter today.
Let’s make sure you stay connected.
Check your meter today.
FAQ's
How do I know if I have an RTS meter?
You could have an RTS meter if:
- your home is heated using electric or storage heaters
- there is no gas supply to your area, you may live rurally or in a block of flats.
- you get cheaper energy at different times of the day.
What should I do if I have an RTS meter?
You’ll need to get your meter replaced as soon as possible before the radio signals stop.
You should have been contacted by your energy supplier. If you haven’t, you’ll need to speak to them straight away.
How can I check if I have one?
Look at your electricity meter:
- You may have a separate switch box near your energy meter labelled “radio teleswitch” or “RTS”
- It may also have a second box with wires near it, or be labeled “multi-rate”, “Economy 7”, or “white meter”
What do I do once my meter has been replaced?
You will need to make sure you’re on the best tariff. You can do this by checking online using an energy comparison site like Uswitch. You will need to tell the site:
- who your supplier is,
- what tariff you are on, and
- how much energy you use in a year.
What will happen when the RTS signal is turned off?
When the RTS signal stops, your meter won’t know when to switch between cheaper and more expensive electricity times. This can cause a few problems:
Heating and hot water might go wrong. They could stay on all the time, not come on at all, or turn on at the wrong times.
Your electricity bill could be wrong. Without the signal, your energy supplier might not know when you use power, so you could be charged the wrong amount.
You might lose your special prices. Some people get cheaper electricity at night. Without the RTS, those deals might go away.
That’s why it’s important to get a new meter soon.
Do I have to get a smart meter?
No, you don’t have to get a smart meter if you don’t want one.
If you do get one, it can be put in “dumb mode.” That means it works like an old meter — it doesn’t send your readings by itself. You’ll need to tell your energy supplier your readings on your own.
But, if you use it this way, you won’t get some of the special deals that smart meters can offer.
You can change your mind later, or if someone new moves into your home, they can turn smart mode back on.
Smart meters are the ideal replacement for RTS meters. They provide more accurate billing and allow suppliers to offer tariffs with different rates at various times of the day, replicating the functionality of RTS meters.
