The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) which has been a critical part of energy management for certain metered customers, is being phased out. While this mainly affects domestic metering , if your business has domestic properties and therefore domestic electricity supplies within its portfolio, it’s crucial to understand the changes and take action to avoid any disruption to your heating and hot water supply.
What is the RTS and why is it being turned off?
RTS has been around for decades, allowing energy suppliers to remotely control specific meters and tariffs using Longwave radio signals, which is being phased out. Once transmission ends , RTS will no longer work - the service will be switched off on 30th June 2025. This means RTS-dependent meters will no longer receive remote updates, potentially causing billing and operational issues.
Examples of RTS tariffs are Total Heat Total Control (THTC) or Economy 10
How it impacts your business
If your business uses an RTS-enabled meter, you may experience the following issues:
How to identify an RTS meter
To find out if your business has an RTS meter, start by looking for a large black box near your electricity meter—this is usually the RTS equipment. You can also check if your meter automatically switches between peak and off-peak rates or if your heating and hot water turn on at set times, controlled remotely by your energy provider. If your business relies heavily on electric or storage heaters for heating, there’s a good chance you’re using RTS.
Moving from RTS to a smart meter
Upgrading to a smart meter is the only technical replacement for RTS meters and will prevent any disruptions and provide a seamless transition. A smart meter ensures real-time data, automated meter readings, and more flexible tariff options, delivering a similar service with added benefits.
You will still be able to keep your off peak hours though the exact time period may vary very slightly . For example, if your off-peak hours are 00:15 - 07:15, they could change to 00:30 - 07:30. The exact timing may vary depending on your location.
More choice of supplier
Many of the RTS tariffs were only available from one supplier and once your meter was programmed to receive that tariff it was almost impossible to switch supplier. With single or dual rate smart metering every client will have a choice of supplier.
What to do next?
With the RTS turn-off approaching, acting early will help minimise disruption to your operations. Upgrading to modern metering solutions not only keeps your business running smoothly but also enhances energy insights, efficiency, and cost savings.
Your supplier should have contacted you. If not you should contact them and ask for a Smart metering appointment to get your meter swapped.
Get in touch for more information!
☎️ 01738 474630
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