Starting on the 30th June, moving in phases across the country, Scotland’s Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) for electric heating systems will be turned off.
RTS is a system which uses long-wave radio signals to switch electricity meters from peak to off-peak prices. It allows users of electrical heating systems such as storage heaters to save money by heating their storage heater during off-peak hours. First introduced in the 1980s, the radio technology it uses is now considered out-of-date compared to modern smart meters, and so the service is being switched off.
However, over 100,000 homes in Scotland still use RTS meters. Under One Roof shares the concerns of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel that people in rural areas, and those who are already in fuel poverty or otherwise vulnerable, could be negatively affected by the switch-off.
Those who are still using storage heaters or electric boilers with RTS meters on or after 30th June could experience incorrectly high bills, as their meter will not automatically switch them from peak to off-peak tariffs. They could also experience interruptions to their electricity supply.
It is therefore very important, if you own a home with a storage heater or electric boiler, to check if you will be affected by the RTS switch-off. If you have an RTS meter, contact your electricity supplier right away to arrange a replacement meter fitting. If you are not sure whether you have an RTS meter, you can check in the following ways:
- Check your bill. Your tariff may be called something like ‘‘Economy 10,’ ‘Storage Heating Control’ or ‘Total Heating with Total Control.’
- Check your meter. Your electricity meter may have a switch box beside it labelled ‘RTS.’
- Check your heating system. You are more likely to have an RTS meter if you use an electric boiler or storage heater.
If in doubt, contact your electricity supplier as soon as possible. They will be able to advise on whether you have an RTS meter, and what to do to get it replaced.
