RTS meter switch-off is pushed back

RTS meter switch-off is pushed back

BBC business reporter Tom Espiner reported that the government has announced a cautious and targeted phase-out plan for Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters, which are set to be switched off. This decision comes after concerns that hundreds of thousands of households could be left without hot water and heating. The initial switch-off will be on a smaller scale, with affected homes and businesses being contacted well in advance by suppliers.

At the end of June, around 314,000 households were still using the outdated RTS meters, with approximately a third of them located in Scotland. These meters, which have been in use since the 1980s, use a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates, as well as control heating and hot water systems. The government aims to replace these meters with smart meters, but the process has not been moving quickly enough to meet the original deadline.

Fuel poverty campaigners expressed concerns that the switch-off process was bound to fail, especially since the June 30 deadline was deemed unachievable. Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh assured that vulnerable consumers with RTS meters would not face sudden disruptions. Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition demanded a clear plan outlining the gradual switch-off process, ensuring that no customers are left without essential services or face increased bills as a result of the changes.

Regulator Ofgem stressed the importance of protecting customers throughout the phase-out process and outlined key requirements that suppliers must meet before an area loses its RTS signal. Energy UK highlighted that installation rates have increased significantly, with the hope that customers will engage with their supplier to book appointments for meter replacements before the phased switch-off takes place

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More