Smart meters and the Radio Teleswitch Service

The technology that’s used to run old-style meters is becoming obsolete at the end of June. You may have heard it being called the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) switch-off. Homes with electric storage heaters are likely to be using this old technology so your heating and hot water supply might stop working normally.

If you haven’t heard from your electricity supplier already, please contact them. They’ll need to replace the RTS meter with a smart meter.

A smart meter is an electronic device that automatically measures your energy consumption and transmits readings wirelessly to your energy supplier. It means you get accurate billing and means you don’t have to manually read the meter. It also provides you with real-time information on your energy usage.

A smart meter works in the same way as your old meter. You should still get peak and off-peak rates and it should turn your hot water systems on and off.

If you choose not to upgrade to a smart meter, your heating and/or hot water supply might be affected. Your heating may be left on continually, or off, and the charging-up might happen at the wrong time of day. Your electricity supplier won’t be able to say how much electricity you’ve used during peak or off-peak times, so your bills could be much higher.

Yes, they’re covered by strict UK product safety laws. All smart meters have the same high quality and safety standards, regardless of the supplier.

Public Health England carried out extensive research and found smart meters are safe and pose no risk. Exposure to radio waves from smart meters is actually lower than from other electronic appliances such as wi-fi equipment and mobile phones.

No, because they can’t see or hear you. They only measure the amount of gas and electricity you use. Personal details, such as your name, address or bank account details, are not stored on, or transmitted by, your smart meter.

No, because they don’t use your wi-fi to send data. They use their own secure data network. If you have any issues with your wi-fi connection, you should speak to your internet provider.

You don’t actually need to read your meter at all, because a smart meter will send your meter readings to your supplier at least once a month – all automatically and wirelessly! What’s more, the in-home display will tell you what the numbers mean, so you know how much energy you’re using and how much it’s costing you.

If you’re blind or partially sighted, or have difficulties with memory loss or dexterity, then an accessible in-home display could make tracking your energy usage easier. Additional features include large buttons and text-to-speech functionality.

Yes, because your smart meter sends automatic meter readings to your supplier on a regular basis, so no more estimated bills. (Though your first bill after having a smart meter installed may still be estimated.)

Your electricity supplier will be able to tell you which tariffs are available.

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), sometimes known as the Dynamic Teleswitch Service, was introduced in the 1980s. It was designed to support those who use electricity for their heating and hot water. The RTS uses Longwave radio signals to switch between tariff rates. Longwave radio is becoming obsolete – the equipment that produces the radio signal can no longer be adequately maintained – which means RTS meters won’t work properly any more.

Here are some things to look out for:

• A separate switch box near your meter with a radio teleswitch label on it.
• Your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters
• There’s no gas supply to your area – you might live in a high-rise flat or a rural area
• You get cheaper energy at different times of day. You might be on an Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariff.

If you’re unsure, contact your electricity provider.