Nearly 1million households could be hit with energy bill hikes due to electricity meter switch off – how to avoid it

OVER 820,000 households could see their energy bills climb if they don't take action before an electricity meter switch off.

Customers at some of the UK's biggest energy suppliers are still relying on these legacy devices, according to new data by Elexon.

Electricity meters that rely on the Radio Teleswicth Service (RTS) will stop functioning after March 31, 2024.

Hundreds of thousands of customers on Economy 7 and other multi-rate energy tariffs use these electricity meters, which charge customers cheaper rates depending on the time of day.

The devices rely on the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) which broadcasts a signal alongside the long-wave channel for BBC Radio 4.

This signal is then picked up by the meter and used to switch the electricity rates at different times of the day.

Some RTS electricity meters can also automatically turn heating and hot water systems on and off during certain hours.

However, the RTS signal will be switched off on March 31, 2024 and these meters will no longer function as intended.

From April next year, these meters could be left jammed on peak time electricity rates depending on when the RTS signal dies.

This could lead to huge bill hikes for households affected by the switch off.

It could also leave those with heating systems controlled by RTS on or off permanently.

The number of customers still using RTS-controlled meters varies by firm.

But new data from Elexon, the company responsible for managing the electricity balancing and settlement system shows which firms have the most customers with the legacy device.

Over 100,000 customers at Eon Next, Octopus Energy (including Bulb) and Scottish Power still rely on RTS meters.

A further 50,000 customers at British Gas, EDF and Ovo Energy (including Boost and SSE) still rely on RTS meters.

The only way to avoid facing the issues expected to arise from the RTS switch off is for affected households to switch to a smart meter.

Customers that do so will still get access to muti-rate energy tariffs including Economy 7.

An Ofgem spokesperson said: "Suppliers have to make sure meters are safe and accurate, and this sometimes means replacing the meter. We expect suppliers to communicate clearly to their customers about this."

However, if you don't hear from your energy supplier, Energy UK recommends that customers get in touch to enquire about having one fitted.

The RTS was originally meant to be shut off back in 2014, but energy suppliers have been keeping the service on life support as they act to move their customers over to new meters.

With less than a year to go, Ofgem said in a letter to suppliers in April that it was still disappointed at the lack of progress in ensuring that these customers’ meters are exchanged for smart variants

Energy UK told The Sun, that while the switch off is still scheduled for March 2024, discussions with providers are already underway to extend the service into 2025.

How do I know if I have an RTS electricity meter?

You'll be able to tell if you have a meter that relies on the RTS quite easily.

The oldest RTS-powered meters have a switch box labelled "Radio Teleswitch" located next to the physical electricity meter.

Others may the RTS switch box included within the electricity meter as a single box on the wall.

If you're unsure about the type of electricity meter in your home - call your supplier as they'll usually have this information on hand.

What are the benefits of installing a smart meter?

It doesn't cost you anything to have a smart meter installed - your energy supplier will do it for free.

The same rule goes for all customers affected by the RTS switch off.

Smart meters are designed so that you no longer need to send energy suppliers traditional meter readings once you've got one.

You will no longer have to give meter readings and you won't be visited by a meter reader to record your usage.

This makes your bill more accurate too, as it's based on readings from actual usage, rather than estimates.

The devices also let you track how much energy you use at night, during the day and at peak times.

An in-home display is also usually provided which connects to the meter and shows your energy usage and the cost in pounds and pence.

You can save money on your energy bills using a smart meter.

It won't save you money just by having one. But being able to see your energy usage and the cost could help you understand where you can cut back.

Customers with RTS electricity meters that switch to a smart meter can still get access to flexible electricity tariffs if they opt for one.


Football news:

<!DOCTYPE html>
Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

3:02 Lewiston shooting updates – Robert Card named ‘person of interest’ after active shooter ‘killed 22’ in Maine
3:00 Kris Jenner reveals her life’s biggest regret and warns Khloe not to make the same mistake
3:00 Arsenal news: Ian Wright hails "reliable" Gunners star after Champions League win
3:00 Khloe Kardashian says she has her ‘happily ever after’ - and it’s not with Tristan Thompson
2:32 UN Security Council fails again to address Israel-Hamas war, rejecting US and Russian resolutions
2:13 Lewiston active shooter LIVE: 22 people dead and 60 injured with armed suspect on the run
2:00 Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe sent clear message amid Kylian Mbappe admission
1:56 Lewiston shooting: Reports of 22 dead as police hunt gunman – live
1:55 Fears of up to 22 dead as police hunt gunman in Lewiston, Maine
1:50 My biggest fall decorating tip so your home is classy, not tacky – no one wants their house to look like Hobby Lobby
1:36 Lewiston active shooter: 16 people dead and 60 injured with armed suspect still at large
1:36 Lewiston active shooter: 22 people dead and 60 injured with armed suspect still at large
1:35 Fears of up to 16 dead as police hunt gunman in Lewiston, Maine
1:29 Mass shooting in Maine: What we know about Lewiston attack
1:27 No, 1 pick Victor Wembanyama is set to debut with the San Antonio Spurs and the world is watching
1:15 Lewiston shooting: Reports of 16 dead as police hunt gunman – live
1:00 Passenger sues airline after flight attendant spilled coffee and ‘burned his tattoo’
1:00 Premier League star risks manager's wrath by naming 'perfect replacement' for Mohamed Salah
0:57 Police say there’s an active shooter in Lewiston, Maine, and they are investigating multiple scenes
0:45 Toddler rushed to hospital after being bitten by a dog as she walked through Chingford park with her parents
0:43 Lewiston shooting updates – Photo of ‘active shooter’ released as Maine cops hunt suspect & warn residents to lock doors
0:41 Lewiston shooting: Police hunt active gunman after incident in Maine - live
0:31 Lewiston shooting: Police hunt active gunman after incident in Maine
0:28 Beloved vs unloved: Contrasting captains collide in Rugby World Cup final
0:28 We converted a dusty work van into our little paradise on wheels – there’s an in-home movie theater & succulent garden
0:21 Kylie Jenner discusses 'hardest decision' as she opens up on coparenting with Travis Scott
0:18 Biden says West Bank settlers ‘pouring gasoline on fire’ as Israel prepares for Gaza ground invasion
0:17 Walking Dead star Erik Jensen diagnosed with stage four cancer as wife starts fundraiser
0:17 ‘Active shooter’ in Lewiston, Maine sees police swarm multiple locations with lockdown issued at schools & businesses
0:16 Reports of active shooter causing ‘multiple casualties’ at bar in Maine
0:07 I dropped out of college and decided to live in my car – it prepared me more for life than any education
0:05 ‘Huge blow’ as cinema chain with 103 locations to close branch in weeks after bankruptcy filing
0:03 Man Utd consider shock David de Gea return after Andre Onana performed U-turn
23:56 Dusty Baker tells newspaper he is retiring as manager of the Houston Astros
23:54 October 26 - On this day: 40 years ago we reported the US-led invasion of Grenada
23:53 NATO air chief accused of boozy snog with colleague told court martial: ‘I don’t even do that to my wife’
23:47 Indianapolis Colts owner takes to social media to blast officials following Cleveland Browns defeat
23:47 Rare watch that was bought for £60 then worn ‘virtually everyday’ sells for eye-watering sum
23:45 Shocking moment yob chucks massive concrete slab at head of woman wearing a hijab in ‘random’ attack
23:44 Francis Ngannou concerns fans with brief pad work in Tyson Fury workout
23:41 Ex-NFL star Sergio Brown charged with his mother’s murder
23:38 Brian Austin Green slams Dancing With the Stars for excluding Sharna Burgess from Len Goodman tribute
23:29 Justin Trudeau's ex-wife named as 'the other woman' in Canadian's divorce petition
23:25 ISIS bride Shamima Begum will exploit any error to overturn decision to take away British citizenship, court hears
23:21 Amazing Asda deal could get you free movie tickets when you buy pizza deal
23:19 Voices: Make no mistake – the new speaker is Trump’s man in Washington
23:17 Ruby Franke’s daughter reveals ‘panic attacks’ after mother’s child abuse arrest
23:15 Just one in ten Brits believe their knowledge of astronomy is 'good', study finds
23:13 Nissan unveils five of its new cars in iconic video game Fortnite including its futuristic-looking Juke
23:12 Wayne Rooney taunted by Birmingham fans as first home match ends in dour defeat
23:12 Ex-NatWest chief infringed on Farage’s data protection rights, watchdog rules
23:11 Family of Al Jazeera correspondent killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza
23:10 Pep Guardiola issues response to Erling Haaland 'concerns' after Champions League brace
23:05 Al Jazeera journalist finds out his wife, son and daughter killed in Israeli airstrike while on air
23:05 I can’t believe my cold-shoulder Shein dress was only $8 – it’s giving ‘baddie on a budget’
23:04 Georgia Harrison flashes her bum in thong and tight corset as she dresses up for star-studded Halloween party
23:03 LGBTQ+ nightspot targeted in Colorado Club Q massacre to re-open
23:01 Emily Eavis drops major hints about Glastonbury 2024 headliners
23:01 ‘Party pad’ that left neighbours fuming over loud stag and hen dos will be split in HALF
23:01 BBC local radio shows suffer drop in listeners over past two years
23:01 RAJARs: BBC Radio 5 Live sees growth but World Service slumps below 1m in UK
22:59 Dad-of-four electrocuted to death pulling his kids from water fountain
22:54 World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt shows off incredible figure and toned abs as fans hail her as ‘a true goddess’
22:46 James Bulger’s family slams decision to grant killer Jon Venables a private parole hearing
22:45 Diego Simeone gives Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers the short shrift as Argentine verges on full-time custard pie
22:43 Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown, charged with killing mother, has been denied release
22:43 Will Smith finally addresses Jada Pinkett Smith’s many claims about their marriage
22:37 Lioness ace Keating happy to be ‘role model’ and aims to be first goalkeeper of colour to play for England Women
22:35 School boy Yousef Makki was unlawfully killed, finds fresh inquest
22:33 A Place in the Sun’s Laura Hamilton puts on busty display in barely there bikini on £700 a night luxury Cyprus holiday
22:30 Beloved car revived as EV hybrid – and it’s a lot different to the usual model
22:30 Trusts accused of using foreign doctors as ‘cheap labour’
22:28 Director Sofia Coppola turned down final Twilight movie because concept was ‘too weird’
22:28 One of those nights – Eddie Howe bemoans fine margins after Newcastle defeat
22:28 Brendan Rodgers beams at Celtic courage as Parkhead stars show their Champions League chops to spark group stage hope
22:19 Wrexham player addresses Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's real impact at club
22:18 US planning for evacuation of Americans from Middle East if conflict escalates
22:18 Doctor Who air dates for David Tennant specials finally announced
22:18 Deer smashes through noodle restaurant window in bizarre video
22:16 Woman claims 'haunted' doll knocks and moves items at home as 'spooked' pet dog howls
22:15 Andy Murray’s poor form continues despite latest marathon effort
22:13 Watch Southampton keeper claim goal in final seconds to draw against Preston… but did he score?
22:10 Horoscope today, October 26, 2023: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg
22:10 Hero dad wrestles suspect to ground after three police officers are battered with bike
22:07 Dementia risk slashed by eating fat found in breakfast favourite, new study says
22:05 Vogue Williams admits near-death experience as a child still 'freaks her out' today
22:05 BBC boss Tim Davie grilled by Tory MPs amid row over coverage of Israel-Hamas war
22:03 Countryfile star Adam Henson 'cried a lot' at wedding after wife's secret cancer fight
22:03 Newcastle discover elite level of Champions League as former transfer target shows his worth
22:03 Prince Harry's relationship with Meghan's mum 'gets stronger' as royal divide continues
22:03 Eddie Howe provides update on Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy injuries after Borussia Dortmund defeat
22:01 Henry and Richards in shock after finding out Carragher’s ranking at 2005 Ballon d’Or awards
22:01 Man's body lay undiscovered in bed for 22 years until council investigated rats in property
21:57 Dog desperate for new home 'begins to lose spark' after a year at RSPCA shelter
21:56 ‘Brexit benefits are powering our renaissance’ – Tens of thousand new jobs to be created
21:54 Republicans slammed for booing reporter asking about overturning 2020 election
21:53 Martin O'Neill insists Celtic drained by 'very soft' penalty as he applies 1974 rules to Greg Taylor challenge
21:50 Brendan Rodgers blanks Celtic Champions League progression poser as he focuses on 2 factors of pulsating Parkhead night
21:49 'UK's most haunted town' plagued by '15 different ghosts' and chilling 'nightly screams'
21:47 Five great boiler maintenance tips that will keep your heating and hot water running during winter