What you need to know about the Radio Teleswitch Energy Meter Switch-Off

By 30th June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service (also known as the Dynamic Teleswitch Service) will end. This is because the radio frequency it uses to switch between peak and off-peak rates is being turned off. If you have an RTS meter in your home then you’ll need to have this replaced by 30th June. Your energy supplier should get in touch with you to explain how to do this.

If you don’t have your RTS meter replaced before the deadline then your electric heating and hot water could stop working as expected. You may not know whether you have an RTS meter, but you’re more likely to have one if:

• your house is heated using electricity
• you have electric storage and water heaters
• there is no gas supply to your area. This includes households in rural areas and high- rise flats
• you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example if you have a peak and off-peak rate for electricity

If you check the meter box, it might have ‘radio teleswitch’ or ‘radio telemeter’ printed on it. If you’re still unsure, then contact your energy supplier and ask whether you have an RTS meter.

It’s important to get the RTS meter changed before the switch-off to avoid problems with your electric heating or hot water supply. It could be left permanently off (or on) and your energy consumption could also become more expensive.

RTS meters are going to be replaced with smart meters. You won’t have to pay for the replacement itself, although you might have to contribute towards the costs of moving the meter if it can’t be installed in the same place. Most meter replacements are straightforward and take around two hours.

The new smart meter should work in the same way as the RTS meter and your energy supplier should tell you about any changes - e.g. if the peak and off peak times are slightly different.

You may not be able to have a standard smart meter installed if you live in an area with poor signal, in which case your energy supplier should discuss alternatives with you. This is likely to be installing a special type of smart meter that doesn’t need to connect to the smart meter network.

Alternatively, you could consider other heating options for your home, such as installing a heat pump.

If you need further advice then call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on: 0808 223 1133. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and calls from mobiles and landlines are free.