Millions of homeowners face a potential water and heating crisis as millions of outdated home safety devices fail to function properly, leaving thousands at risk of losing hot water or heating.
Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of losing hot water or heating when their old type of electricity meter goes out of action. Energy companies have said it will be ‘very, very difficult‘ to replace all Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters with smart meters before the old technology is switched off on 30 June.
The RTS Meter Replacement Challenge
Since the 1980s, RTS meters have used a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates. The technology is becoming obsolete, and energy companies have a deadline to change their customers’ meters by 30 June. At the end of March, there were still 430,000 households using RTS meters for their heating and hot water, according to Energy UK.
The Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meter is a type of electrical meter used for measuring energy consumption.
It uses radio communication to transmit data to a central server, allowing for remote monitoring and management of energy usage.
RTS meters are commonly used in smart grid applications, providing real-time data on energy consumption patterns.
They also enable utility companies to detect tampering and optimize energy distribution.
The Replacement Rate
More than 1,000 RTS meters are being replaced each day, but based on the 430,000 figure, this daily rate would need to be more like 5,000 to stand a chance of reaching everyone. Energy UK’s deputy director for customers, Ned Hammond, said that while the replacement rate is rising, it still needs to increase significantly to replace all meters by the end of June.
The Risk of Disruption
Campaigners estimate that more than 300,000 households could be left with a meter that doesn’t work from 1 July. This has been described as an ‘urgent consumer welfare issue‘ by Ofgem. The replacement process will likely cause prolonged disruption, particularly for vulnerable households.
Distrust of Smart Meters
One challenge of changing everyone on to the new system is a distrust of smart meters. The BBC has previously found that smart meters can sometimes give inaccurate readings and work worse or better depending on where you live. Some consumers are resistant to switching to smart meters, citing concerns about accuracy and disruption.
A smart meter is an electronic device that measures electricity consumption in real-time, providing accurate and detailed data on energy usage.
These meters can be read remotely, eliminating the need for manual readings by utility companies.
Smart meters typically have a built-in display screen showing current and past energy usage, allowing users to monitor their consumption patterns.
What to Do if You Have an RTS Meter
If you think you have an RTS meter, you should contact your supplier to arrange the replacement. However, beware of scams claiming that you need to pay to change your meter. Ofgem recommends checking for the following signs of an RTS meter:
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A separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
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Your home being heated using electricity or storage heaters
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There being no gas supply to your area
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You getting cheaper energy at different times of day, such as on an Economy 7 tariff
