LONDON — If your electricity meter is the kind that hums along on an old radio signal, ticking over to cheaper rates at night, you might be in for a rude shock come June 30. That’s the deadline when roughly 300,000 households across the UK could see their meters go dark, cutting off the tech that controls their heating and hot water. The Radio Teleswitching System, or RTS, is getting the boot as its longwave signal becomes obsolete, and energy companies are scrambling to swap out these aging devices. But with just two months left, the clock’s ticking louder than a meter in a storm.
The RTS setup, used by older meters to flip between peak and off-peak rates, is a relic of a bygone era. It’s been chugging along for decades, helping folks with electric heating save a few quid by running their systems at night. Come June 30, though, the signal’s getting switched off for good. Energy firms have known about this for years, but replacing 300,000 meters isn’t like swapping a light bulb. It’s a logistical beast, especially in far-flung rural spots where engineers are as rare as a sunny bank holiday.
On April 16, a coalition of energy campaigners fired off a letter to the government, warning of a “looming crisis.” They’re not wrong. Industry insiders admit the current pace of replacements is sluggish—thousands of meters won’t make the cut by deadline day. Vulnerable households, like those relying on electric heating in creaky old flats, could be hit hardest. Without a new meter, their systems might not know when to kick on, leaving them without hot water or warmth. And no, it’s not as simple as flicking a switch yourself.
The government and Ofgem, the energy regulator, are in the hot seat, pushing for a “carefully managed phase-down” to avoid chaos. Energy firms are urging customers to call now to book a replacement, promising a smooth switch if you act fast. But with engineer shortages and a backlog piling up, some households might face disruptions that drag on. Rural areas, where getting a technician out is like summoning a unicorn, are especially at risk.
For now, the advice is clear: check your meter. If it’s an RTS model—often tied to Economy 7 or 10 tariffs that lean on off-peak rates—get on the phone with your supplier. The cutoff is real, and June 30 isn’t budging. Energy companies are under pressure to prioritize vulnerable customers, but the system’s stretched thin. The government’s working with regulators to keep the transition as painless as possible, but they’re not making promises. About 300,000 RTS meters are still in use across the UK, and the signal shutdown is set for June 30, 2025.