Radio Teleswitch Service switch off in June 2025
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is set to end on 30 June 2025.
What is the Radio Teleswitch Service?
The RTS (or Dynamic Teleswitch Service) began in the 1980s. The RTS allows electricity meters to switch between peak and off-peak rates. This allows hot water heating and storage to take place overnight for a lower cost. Due to age and the introduction of smart meters the RTS is being discontinued.
Properties heated with electricity, that do not have a smart meter installed when the RTS shuts off might have problems. This could include heating and/or hot water being continually left on or off. Or the charging-up of hot water tanks and/or storage heaters could happen at the wrong time of day. This could lead to higher bills.
What does an RTS look like?
How to tell if your home has an RTS:
- The property has a separate switch box near the meter. This could be a large black box, and it might have an RTS label on it,
- The property is heated using electricity or storage heaters,
- There is no gas supply to the area (e.g. homes in rural areas and high-rise flats),
- The price of electricity is different throughout the day. Such as Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariff.
What do I need to do?
Electricity providers should contact residents with RTS installations. Providers should have contacted all customers in 2024 to arrange an appointment. If you haven't heard from your electricity provider and you think you have an RTS, you should contact your electricity provider as soon as possible.
Does switching away from an RTS cost any money?
The replacement of the RTS should not cost you any money. This includes the removal of the RTS and the provision of the smart meter. Ofgem has warned consumers to be wary of scammers taking advantage of this situation. Some scammers might try to charge consumers for fake removals or related services for a cost. When in doubt, households should .
The replacement smart meters will allow you to continue to access off-peak tariffs. The supplier must provide information on available tariffs. The tariffs should be suited to the heating and hot water service installed in the home.
If your property cannot have a smart meter, the electricity supplier must install a suitable meter. Your service should not be disrupted.