The RTS phase-out: what you need to know

Older electricity meters that use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) signal are currently being phased out across Great Britain. If you have an RTS meter, it's important to act now to avoid the risk of disruption to your heating or hot water supply and to make sure you do not potentially overpay for your energy. Here's what's changing and what you need to do.

- By Ofgem - Great Britain's energy regulator

What is an RTS meter and why is the signal being phased out?

RTS meters use a radio signal to switch between peak and off-peak energy rates. There are 216,000 RTS meters that still need to be replaced across Great Britain. RTS was introduced in the 1980s and is now outdated. As a result, a carefully managed phaseout of the RTS signal is now taking place across Great Britain.

Why does this matter?

If you have an RTS meter and it isn’t replaced before the signal is switched off in your area, your heating or hot water could stop working or stay on all the time, potentially leading to higher bills.

What do I need to do if I have an RTS meter?