BBC expert says people with this box next to meter have to take action or have power cut off
A BBC expert has explained around 600,000 people need to take urgent action or potentially have hot water and heating cut off. Speaking on BBC Breakfast today Ben Boulos explained that people need to take action in the next few months.
The issue has arisen as hundreds of thousands have an old style meter which uses the Radio Teleswitch service. This was for tariffs, which are cheaper at different times of the day, like Economy 7 or Economy 10. The problem is that the equipment is being switched off meaning people’s electrical and gas equipment will stop working.
Mr Boulos said: “Older models of meter like these, in particular, if you’re on a tariff like Economy 7, Economy 10, or others that have different rates at various times of the day, they run using something called the Radio Teleswitch service. It’s a signal that’s broadcast to energy firms, and it allows these meters to switch between peak and off-peak rates or turn your heating or hot water. On and off, but the equipment is old and it’s hard to maintain. So it’s being switched off.”
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It was supposed to be turned off 10 months ago but officials realised hundreds of thousands would be cut off - but people only have until June 2025 to get it sorted out. He said: “This was originally meant to happen last March, but that deadline has now been extended to this June. The thing is, there are still 600,000 households and businesses using these old meters, and the message is this: you need to switch before June, or you risk losing your heating and hot water. Your supplier should have been in touch already.
“If not, look out for a box like this next to your meter. This is the radio switch itself.” Charlotte Friel, director for retail pricing and systems for Ofgem said: “In most cases, the answer will be getting a smart meter, and that will actually open up potentially a wider range of tariffs and options to those customers that could give them more control over their bills and certainly more visibility of their energy use.
"But if customers have any concerns about the tariff arrangement or the metering arrangement that they’re being offered to switch to, then they should contact the supplier to understand the best options available to them. The government told us it’s working with Ofgem, the regulator, and energy suppliers to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.”
Independent regulator Ofgem and trade association Energy UK launched a new campaign today to encourage owners of radio teleswitch service (RTS) meters to “act now” and get a meter upgrade from their energy supplier ahead of the system’s switch-off later this year.
The campaign includes a TV advert featuring presenter Lorraine Kelly, who warns “don’t delay”. Households which have not upgraded their electricity meter could be left without heating or hot water following the deactivation, the regulator said.
RTS meters were introduced in the 1980s and rely on longwave radio signals from the BBC’s transmitter to switch meters between peak and off-peak tariff rates. However, the equipment which broadcasts the signal is nearly obsolete, and it will be switched off on June 30.
A spokesperson for Ofgem said: “The campaign has been launched because of the urgent need to increase the rate of RTS meter upgrades across Great Britain before the signal is switched off from June 30 2025.
“It is important that RTS customers book their installation as soon as they are contacted by their supplier. All customers should have been contacted by their supplier by the end of 2024.
“Failure to act may result in the heating and/or hot water being continually left on or off, or the charging-up happening at the wrong time of day, leading to higher bills.” The replacement of an RTS meter comes at no extra cost, Ofgem said, adding customers should be wary of scams.