What you need to know about the planned RTS meter shutdown

What is the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS)?

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) uses a radio signal to tell some older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates. RTS was used for some traditional multi-rate meters to support those who use electricity for their heating and hot water. This may include those who use electric storage systems, panel heaters or immersion heaters in water tanks – some of which typically charge up overnight.

RTS was introduced in the 1980s, and is now reaching the end of its natural operational life. This means that the equipment that produces the radio signal can’t be adequately maintained anymore.

The 2025 deadline is across all electricity suppliers and we're contacting impacted customers to offer them a meter upgrade before the RTS service ends on 30 June 2025.

Do I have a meter that relies on the RTS?

If you're not sure whether you have an RTS meter, there are a few things you can look out for:

• there may be a separate switch box near your meter with a radio teleswitch label on it
• your property is heated using electricity or storage 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. Your tariff might be: Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control.

Remember, only older versions of some multi-rate or complex meters were fitted with RTS. You'll be unaffected if you have a single-rate meter or newer versions of the multi-rate meters.

If you’re unsure if you have RTS equipment, get in touch with us so we can confirm if this will impact you.

What will happen if I don't change my meter?

If you decide not to upgrade, the heating and/or hot water provisions in your home could be affected.

You may find that your heating and/or hot water is continually left on or off, or the charging-up happens at the wrong time of day.

You may not be able to see how much electricity you have used during peak or off-peak times, which could mean your electricity costs could be much higher than before.

When is the RTS being shut down?

The Radio Teleswitch service was due to shut down on 30 June 2025. But this is the last extension, as the equipment that produces the radio signal can’t be adequately maintained anymore.

Why can't some RTS customers change their meters yet?

There are some situations where we can’t offer you an appointment for a meter upgrade just yet. We're working hard to get a solution for customers with more complex metering sites and will be in touch when we're ready to upgrade your meter with a suitable solution.

If you want to discuss this further, get in touch, as we may be able to identify an alternative upgrade solution that is better suited to how you run your home.

To find out more about RTS, click the links below:

• Ofgem
• Citizens Advice
• Energy Networks Association

I know I need to change my RTS meter, but I'm still unsure of smart meters, what are my options?

As part of the government-led initiative, all energy suppliers use meters that can provide smart services. However, if you chose not to have these services activated, you wouldn’t benefit from:

• getting accurate bills based on the energy you’ve actually used, not an estimate
• meter readings automatically submitting, so there’s no need to manually provide your energy readings
• keeping a closer eye on how much energy you’re using and how much you’re spending
• seeing where you might be able to save energy, for example by turning the heating down when you don’t need it or switching the TV off 
• access to ‘smart meter only’ tariffs

If your meter needs changing but you’re still unsure about having a smart-enabled meter, contact us to discuss the latest metering equipment and the upgrade options available to you.

You don't need to wait to upgrade to a smart meter today. Having a smart meter will offer you a wide range of benefits and can make it easier for you to manage your energy usage.

Find out how you can upgrade your  meter by logging into MyAccount.

Upgrade your meter

If you're a Large Business customer, please email EBSSmartMeterBookings@edfenergy.com, and one of our team will contact you to discuss the next steps.