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Radio Teleswitch

30^th June 2025 Cut Off Cancelled - The service controlling Radio Teleswitch Meters (RTS) will not be switched off on the 30^th June but the meters will still be replaced in a managed and controlled way over time.

In the 1980s the Radio Teleswitch System (RTS) was introduced using a radio signal to switch on and off off-peak circuits such as those used in Economy 7 tariffs. This is usually used to heat up electric storage radiators and water during the night. Meters with RTS pick up a signal broadcast alongside the long wave signal for BBC Radio 4. England is covered by a signal transmitter at Droitwich constructed in 1934, with smaller transmitters at Westerglen and Burghead providing signal coverage for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

RTS is used to flatten the load curve at night by grouping load into smaller segments. Without this, expensive flexible generating plant would be needed to meet peak demand.

A customer can be put into one of fourteen groups for control purposes, each group switching at a different time. RTS cannot control an individual customer separately. The RTS control box also randomly shifts the switching time for an individual customer so that the load for the group does not all come on at once.

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) are responsible for management of the service.

To facilitate this service usually an additional device would be installed alongside the meter which would receive the Radio 4 long wave signal containing the switching instructions.

Where is RTS used?

RTS is used everywhere but is more common in particular areas for these two reasons:

• Medium and high rise tower blocks as electric storage heating was seen as a safer heating option than gas
• Properties in areas which are not connected to the gas grid. This is mainly West and Central Wales, and large areas of Northern Scotland.

RTS Shutdown

The BBC planned to turn off long wave transmission system on 30^th June 2025, but this deadline was again cancelled, as it has been many times before, as suppliers still have too many customers left on the system.

Ofgem first recognised the problem in October 2024 when they established a task force of themselves, suppliers, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), the government and Smart Energy GB. The Taskforce is working with consumer groups, housing associations and others to reach the goal of upgrading all RTS meters in England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain).

This has not been enough improve replacement rates significantly and the government have been forced to act. In a written statement to the house of Commons on 18^th June 2025 the Minister for Energy Consumers stated that there will be a managed and more controlled Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30^th June. People with an RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the June.

Ofgem are minded to introduce new RTS-specific licence conditions for energy suppliers. These will include a provision that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a tariff that leaves their consumers no worse off than with their existing arrangement as a result of an RTS meter replacement.

Replacement progress is still very slow as the chart and table below shows. In fact, at current rates, it will take between 2 and 4 more years to replace all the RTS systems out there.

These figures are published monthly by Elexon.

Why is RTS being decommissioned?

RTS is being decommissioned for the following reasons:

• The BBC have moved onto digital technology and no longer use the equipment. They are charging suppliers £5M a year to maintain the service.
• The old valve technology used for the RTS service has limited spares
• Long wave has low quality sound
• The old transmitters are energy intensive
• Smart Meter functionality can take over.

What is the impact?

Without the signal, the behaviour of meters with RTS is uncertain. Some may continue to switch between rates using stored settings while some may remain on whatever rate was in place when they last received a signal.

The impact is:

• your heating and hot water may be left continually on or off
• your electric storage heaters may charge at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills
• your supplier may be unable confirm your electricity usage during peak or off-peak times, and your electricity costs may be higher than before.

What is the solution?

The solution to the RTS Shutdown is for electricity suppliers to remove radio teleswitches and install a SMETS2 smart meter with a fifth terminal. The fifth terminal enables the heating to be switched on or off at standard fixed times of the day determined by your tariff, for example Economy 7 (E7).

Customers Should Decide Now

If you have RTS, your supplier will have written to you. We strongly advise customers to decide now what they want to do, that way you can take control of what happens. Our recommendation would be to ask for a Smart Meter as this is the only way to try to continue with a similar service to RTS.

Decide if you are happy to have a Smart Meter:

Please do not put off this decision.