Stuart Anderson MP has urged residents in South Shropshire who are still using a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter to contact their energy supplier and book an upgrade before the national shut down takes place between 2nd March and 17th June 2026.
- Stuart Anderson MP has urged residents to prepare for the Radio Teleswitch (RTS) switchover.
- Residents with an RTS meter should have already been contacted by their energy supplier.
- Stuart has urged the government to ensure vulnerable are fully informed and supported.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"I want to ensure that everyone in South Shropshire is supported to keep their energy bills as low as possible. I am urging residents across South Shropshire who are still using a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter to contact their energy supplier and book an upgrade before the national shutdown. Residents in rural areas are more likely to have a RTS meter and could face higher energy costs if they do not upgrade it. Energy suppliers can confirm whether residents have an RTS electricity meter and book an appointment to install a new one. My Energy Saver Guide has lots more useful information.”
Stuart launched his call to action over a year ago when it was announced that the radio signals which controls older electricity meters will be switched off in June 2025. Following Stuart's intervention, the switchover was delayed. However, Stuart has warned that the new transition date of 2nd March 2026 will affect rural areas the most. This is because only 42% of households in South Shropshire use main gas central heating, compared with a national average of 73%. Last year, Stuart urged Ministers to accelerate a programme to upgrade meters in rural areas and increase support for communities that cannot yet access the smart meter communications network. He added that Ministers must ensure continued access to affordable energy - by making sure consumers are transferred to a similar or improved tariff as part of the upgrade programme. However, thousands of households have still not made the switchover. 150,000 customers are being urged to make the transition as not doing so could leave them without hot water.
Introduced in the 1980's, the Radio Teleswitch (RTS) has reached the end of its operational life. The technology uses radio signals to remotely control certain electricity meters installed in homes and businesses. They automatically switch between different elecricity rates such as lower-cost off-peak overnight tariffs and higher daytime rates. The system was primarily introduced to benefit residents who rely on electric storage and immersion heaters, as these appliances typically operate during off-peak hours when electricity bill is cheaper. RTS meters enabled households, particularly those without access to a gas supply or with electric heating as their main source of warmth to take advantage of reduced energy costs overnight while ensuring efficient heating and hot water management.
The phasing out of RTS technology was prompted by the system's increasing outdated infrastructure and the significant challenges associated with maintaining them. Since 2011, energy suppliers have been required to replace these traditional meters with modern smart meters, which offer greater reliability and efficiency. Residents are likely to have an RTS meter if there is no gas supply to their property, which is common in rural areas like South Shropshire that are heated using electricity or storage heaters. There is a separate switch box near the meter, often labelled as a Radio Teleswitch (RTS). Residents can avoid losing out on cheaper off-peak rates for heating and hot water by switching to a smart meter, which provide access to a wider range of energy tariffs, greater control over electricity usage, and make it significanlty easier to switch suppliers. Smart meters also offer much clearer and real-time insights into energy consumption, empowering households and businesses to manage their usage more effectively and identify opportunities to reduce costs. Smart meter readings are sent automatically to suppliers, meaning there is no need for manual readings or estimated bills. This ensures greater accuracy and convenience. Stuart's Energy Saving Guide provides details on energy efficiency measures including the roll-out of smart meters. It also contains tips and guidance on energy tariffs, home insulation, and others ways in which to make to make homes more energy efficient.
