Stuart Anderson MP has renewed a call to action, urging residents across South Shropshire to prepare for the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) switch-off that is taking place on 30th June 2025.
As of October 2024, 538 households in South Shropshire still had a RTS meter. So, Stuart is urging residents to take three simple steps to stop their heating or hot water being turned off if they are affected.
Residents in rural areas are more likely to have a RTS meter and could face higher energy costs if they do not upgrade it. It is likely that residents have an RTS electricity meter if there is a separate switch box near the meter with a RTS label on it.
Properties heated using electric storage systems, panel heaters, or immersion heaters are likely to have an RTS meter. The change could disproportionately affect rural areas without gas supplies. Only 42% of households in South Shropshire use main gas central heating, compared to 73% nationally.
Stuart has said that residents should respond as soon as possible if they are contacted by their energy supplier about the switch-over. He is also promoting Ofgem's digital toolkit, which contains a lot of useful information.
Additionally, he has called on residents to check his 'Energy Saving Guide' for 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."
If residents are contacted by their energy supplier, they should book an appointment for a new meter, keep an eye open for the offer of a replacement, and contact their energy supplier if they want to check they have an RTS meter or to schedule a new meter installation.
650,000 people in Great Britain have electricity meters using the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which uses a radio signal to tell some older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates. Introduced in the 1980's, it has now reached the end of its operational life.
The equipment that produces the radio signal can no longer be adequately maintained and consumes a lot of electricity compared to modern communications networks. Energy regulator, Ofgem, expects energy suppliers to replace RTS electricity meters, where possible, with smart meters. They give consumers a wider variety of tariffs and greater control over usage.
Launching his call to action on 3rd February 2025, Stuart said:
"Ensuring access to affordable energy is a key priority of mine. So, I am concerned that the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) Switch-Off could disproportionately impact vulnerable households in rural communities. Just 42% of households in South Shropshire use main gas central heating, compared to 73% nationally. Not replacing an RTS electricity meter could lead to higher electricity costs. So, I am calling on those who have an electricity meter to check whether it uses the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) before it is switched off in June. Energy suppliers can confirm whether residents have an RTS electricity meter and book an appointment to install a new one. I have also called on Ministers to accelerate upgrades in rural areas, ensuring consumers are only transferred to either a similar or improved tariff. They must also increase support for those that cannot yet access the smart meter communications network. More information is included in my Energy Saver's Guide, which aims to help residents find the latest information to save money on their energy bills."
