Ofgem publishes update for 800,000 energy customers ahead of huge change to bills

The update impacts households which have electricity meters that rely on the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) to set the rate of energy as this system is set to be turned off next year

An update has been issued ahead of a huge change to energy bills next year which will impact over 800,000 households.

The update impacts households which have electricity meters that rely on the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) to set the rate of energy. This service charges them cheaper rates depending on the time of day. The devices, such as Economy 7 and other multi-rate energy tariffs, pick up the different energy rates through the RTS signal - this is broadcast alongside the long-wave channel for BBC Radio 4.

Some RTS electricity meters can also automatically turn heating and hot water systems on and off during certain hours. However, the service is being turned off on June 30 2025. This service is being turned off on June 30 2025 and before this date, energy customers relying on the Economy 7 system will need to have a smart meter installed to avoid potential disruption to their supply.

Ofgem published an update recently ahead of the change next year detailing the new action plan for its Radio Taskforce Service Taskforce. According to the update, the RTS taskforce is made up of organisations and companies from the energy sector including:

• Ofgem
• Energy suppliers
• Smart Energy GB
• Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)
• The government

The task force has pledged to "work together" to speed up the rate at which RTS meters are replaced before the switch off. At the current pace, it would take until 2028 for all of the RTS meters across the UK to be upgraded. To do this, it will be focusing resources on regional “hot spots” where there are the most RTS customers, fast-tracking RTS customers for meter upgrades, and prioritising upgrades for customers who are known to be vulnerable. The groups will also be providing monthly updates on how many meters have been replaced

The ten energy companies who have signed up are British Gas, EDF, E.On, Octopus, Ovo, Scottish Power, So Energy, SSE, Total Energies, Utilita and Utility Warehouse. If you have an RTS meter, then you will need to replace it before the deadline. This is because from June, these meters could be left jammed on peak time electricity rates depending on when the RTS signal dies.

This could lead to huge bill spikes for households. Household who have an RTS meter, or those who are not sure if they have one, should contact their energy supplier for advice. The supplier should then be able to make an appointment for an engineer to visit their home and check. Energy companies have been contacting customers about the switch-off since 2023. But under the new plans suppliers will contact all RTS customers by December 31 2024 to let them know that RTS will be shut down.

Households will also be told why it is important that their service is upgraded and they will be offered an appointment to have their meter upgraded. It usually takes around two hours for an RTS meter to be upgraded but some cases may need more than one visit by an engineer. Many properties with RTS meters are in rural areas or on islands.