Replacing your Radio Teleswitch electricity meter
Find out what you need to do as part of the phased switch off of the Radio Teleswitch signal from 30 June 2025.
The technology that supports Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) electricity meters is now being switched off one area at a time. Without the technology to tell RTS meters when to swap between peak and off-peak rates, they may no longer work properly. It may mean that heating and hot water will stop functioning as normal in households and businesses that have an RTS meter fitted.
If you have an RTS meter, your electricity supplier should have got in touch with you to arrange an upgrade to a smart meter before the end of June 2025.
They must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.
The switch off will be a phrased approach. This will mean that electricity suppliers can make sure that they are able to manage and fix any problems that may come up during this process.
Support to upgrade RTS electricity meters
We are working with energy suppliers, distribution network operators, consumer groups and others as part of the RTS Taskforce to support people with an RTS meter. Read more information about the RTS Taskforce.
What suppliers must do
Suppliers must treat all households and businesses fairly. This includes knowing who needs support and extra help.
As part of the phased switch off suppliers should also:
- give you clear, accessible and timely information that should include details about the Radio Teleswitch phase-out, impact it may have and how they plan to replace the meter
- keep a high standard of customer service by making sure that their processes are accessible, efficient and responsive
- offer an enquiry service from 1 August 2025 for households including those where there is someone living there who needs extra help to contact their supplier any time of day during the week and report any problems such as power cuts
- move households with a Radio Teleswitch meter to a smart meter onto a suitable tariff that reflects their usage patterns or another smart tariff of their choice
Find out if you have an RTS meter
You may have an RTS meter if:
- your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
- your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters
- there is no gas supply to your area, including households in rural areas and high-rise flats
- you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, you might be on an Economy 7, Economy 10, or Total Heat Total Control tariff
Get in touch with your electricity supplier if you’re still not sure which meter is in your home.
If you do not know who your supplier is, follow the steps on our find your energy supplier page.
Contact your electricity supplier to upgrade your RTS meter
If you have an RTS meter in your home, view details on your electricity supplier's website to upgrade your meter.
- Octopus
- SSE
- British Gas
- Ovo
- Scottish Power
- E
- E.On Next
- Ecotricity
- EDF Energy
- So Energy
- Utilia
- Outfox the Market
- Good Energy
- Sainsbury's Energy
- Utility Warehouse
If you run a business that has an RTS meter, view details on your electricity supplier's website to upgrade your meter.
- Octopus
- Yu Energy
- British Gas
- Bryt Energy
- Clear Business Energy
- Pozitive
- Corona Energy
- Crown Gas and Power
- DENERGi
- Drax Energy Solutions
- E.On Next
- Ecotricity
- EDF Energy
- Good Energy
- Shell Energy
- Npower Business Solutions
- Opus Energy
- Regent Gas
- Scottish Power
- SEFE Energy
- Simple Gas
- SSE Energy Solutions
- Total Energies Gas and Power
- United Gas and Power
- Utilita Energy
- Utility Warehouse
- Yorkshire Gas and Power
If you do not know who your supplier is, follow the steps on our find your energy supplier page.
Upgrading to a smart meter
A smart meter will give you a similar service to your RTS meter. You’ll also get other benefits, including:
- electricity readings submitted automatically
- access to ‘smart meter only’ tariffs
- the ability to monitor your energy usage
- accurate bills based on the electricity you’ve used, not estimates
Find out more about getting a smart meter.
If you’re not able to upgrade
In some instances, your supplier may not be able to offer you a smart meter at the moment.
If this is the case, they must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.
You should contact your supplier to understand the options available to you.
If you do not want a smart meter
Upgrading to a smart meter is the best option for RTS customers. If you choose not to upgrade:
- your heating and hot water may be left continually on or off
- your electric storage heaters may charge at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills
- your supplier may be unable confirm your electricity usage during peak or off-peak times, and your electricity costs may be higher than before
- you’ll have a more limited choice of tariffs.
Talk to your supplier for more information.
Get support from Citizens Advice
If you live in England or Wales, you can contact Citizens Advice for free and impartial advice about your energy supply.
If you live in Scotland, you can get advice and information on energyadvice.scot.