Major update for nearly 1million energy customers as meters set to go ‘dumb’

MORE than 800,000 households volition person their vigor meters replaced earlier the web they usage is switched disconnected adjacent summer.

Hundreds of thousands of customers with Economy 7 and different multi-rate energy tariffs usage these meters, which complaint users antithetic rates depending connected the clip of day.

But these devices are operated done the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which broadcasts a awesome alongside the long-wave transmission for BBC Radio 4.

This work is being turned disconnected connected June 30, 2025 aft the deadline was extended pursuing coverage by The Sun past year.

The power disconnected could pb to immense measure hikes for customers arsenic they are nary longer capable to entree cheaper vigor rates.

Some homes, businesses and schools could adjacent beryllium near without heating oregon blistery water.

Others whitethorn beryllium incapable to crook disconnected their heating.

The lone mode to debar facing these issues is for affected households to power to a smart meter.

Customers who swap to a astute metre volition inactive beryllium capable to entree multi-rate vigor tariffs including Economy 7.

What has been agreed?

Energy suppliers, Government and user groups person present pledged to enactment unneurotic to regenerate RTS meters earlier the power off.

The 10 vigor companies who person signed up are: British Gas, EDF, E.On, Octopus, Ovo, Scottish Power, So Energy, SSE, Total Energies, Utilita and Utility Warehouse.

Industry regulator Ofgem, commercialized relation Energy UK, Distribution Network Operators, Smart Energy GB, Government and user groups volition besides beryllium involved.

Through their Call To Action the manufacture has pledged to:

• Focus their resources connected determination “hot spots” wherever determination are the astir RTS customers
• Fast way RTS customers for metre upgrades
• Prioritise upgrades for customers who are known to beryllium vulnerable
• Tackle immoderate method problems by sharing their cognition and expertise
• Provide monthly updates connected however galore meters person been replaced
• Consider if further enactment is needed

The pledge volition besides velocity up the complaint astatine which RTS meters are replaced.

At the existent gait it would instrumentality until 2028 for each of the RTS meters crossed the UK to beryllium upgraded.

What does it mean for me?

Customers who person an RTS meter, oregon those who are not definite if they person one, should interaction their energy supplier for advice.

The supplier should past beryllium capable to marque an assignment for an technologist to sojourn their location and check.

Energy companies have been contacting customers astir the power disconnected since 2023.

But nether the caller plans suppliers volition interaction each RTS customers by December 31, 2024 to fto them cognize that RTS volition beryllium unopen down.

Households volition besides beryllium told wherefore it is important that their work is upgraded and they volition beryllium offered an assignment to person their metre upgraded.

It usually takes astir 2 hours for an RTS metre to beryllium upgraded but immoderate cases whitethorn request much than 1 sojourn by an engineer.

Many properties with RTS meters are successful agrarian areas oregon connected islands.

This is wherefore the Call To Action is truthful important arsenic the manufacture wants to marque definite it contacts arsenic galore households arsenic imaginable earlier the power off.

What are the benefits of installing a astute meter?

Getting a astute metre does not outgo thing arsenic your supplier volition instal it for free.

Customers affected by the RTS power disconnected volition besides not beryllium charged.

Smart meters nonstop metre readings to your vigor supplier automatically, which means you bash not request to bash this yourself.

They tin marque your bills much close excessively arsenic they are based connected readings from your existent usage, alternatively than estimates.

The devices tin assistance to way however overmuch vigor you usage astatine night, during the time and astatine highest times.

You volition beryllium fixed an in-home display, which connects to your metre and shows your vigor usage and the outgo successful pounds and pence.

Customers with RTS energy meters that swap to a smart metre will inactive beryllium capable to entree flexible energy tariffs if they opt for one.

Do you person a wealth occupation that needs sorting? Get successful interaction by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you tin articulation our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook radical to stock your tips and stories