(qlmbusinessnews.com . Fri 20th Jun, 2025) London, UK —
Avoid Losing Heat: UK's Planned Phase-Out of Outdated RTS Meters
Hundreds of thousands of British households at risk of losing their heating and hot water services by the end of June due to outdated meters have been given a reprieve by the government. Officials have announced a measured and carefully targeted approach towards discontinuing the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters, instead of a blanket switch-off.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has revealed plans to begin the phase-out on a smaller scale, with energy suppliers set to reach out to the impacted homes and businesses well in advance of any changes. This move comes after fuel poverty advocates criticised the initial plan for the 30 June deadline to switch off the RTS meters as unfeasible, labelling the strategy as a recipe for failure.
Figures from last month show that approximately 314,000 homes across the UK were still reliant on these aging meters, which control heating and hot water systems through longwave radio frequencies. Scotland hosts about a third of these homes. Failure to replace these meters in time could have resulted in heating systems being stuck on or switched off entirely.
Although these meters have been a staple since the 1980s, they are now considered outdated, leading suppliers to replace them, albeit not swiftly enough to meet the original deadline. The transition is expected to see most RTS meters replaced with modern smart meters, according to the energy department.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, the Energy Consumers Minister, assured that “thousands of vulnerable consumers” with RTS meters would avoid any abrupt disruptions at the end of June.
Adding to the conversation, Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commended the government's intervention, stressing the necessity for a detailed plan on the phase-out process, including timelines and regional targets. He also emphasised the importance of guarantees against any household being left without essential heating or facing increased bills due to these changes.
The energy sector regulator, Ofgem, has underscored its commitment to protecting consumers throughout this gradual switch-off process, outlining specific requirements that suppliers must meet to ensure customer well-being.
Charlotte Friel, Ofgem's director of retail pricing, highlighted the urgency of replacing these outdated meters and urged customers to arrange appointments with their suppliers promptly.
Industry representation from Energy UK reported a significant uptick in installation rates, going from 1,000 meters per month to 1,800 per day, urging continuity in this momentum. Ned Hammond, Deputy Director for Customers at Energy UK, encouraged customers to proactively engage with their suppliers to facilitate a smooth transition ahead of their meter being phased out.
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