Radio Teleswitch Service Turn off

By The Voice Editor   Posted in Issue 159
Posted on

Last month Arran Eco Savvy held an Energy Event at Corrie and Sannox Village Hall. One of the talks was on the upcoming Radio Teleswitch Service Turn Off. This might be relevant to a number of us on Arran, so we are including the information from the event below. Published 17th February on the Eco Savvy website, written by Sofi Graham:

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will be turned off on June 30, 2025. This is because the equipment that sends out the radio signal is no longer operational. Last week we hosted an Energy Event at Corrie & Sannox hall. Local resident Bill MacGregor hosted a small talk on the RTS turn off and what it might mean for RTS users.

Background

  1. Electricity demand varies throughout the day, with lower usage at night and higher during the day.
  2. Due to this fluctuation, night-time electricity is cheaper, and daytime electricity is more expensive.
  3. The energy industry aims to reduce demand variation, making the system more efficient, less polluting, and cost-effective.
  4. To encourage even energy consumption, low-cost night-time electricity was offered for heating and hot water.
  5. The RTS system was introduced in the 1980s to automatically switch customers between high and low-cost electricity rates.
  6. Many customers installed storage heaters and hot water heaters, especially in rural areas without mains gas.
  7. RTS helped reduce the need for additional power stations and power lines.
  8. However, the RTS system is now obsolete, with limited spare parts available.

RTS System Shutdown

  1. The RTS system will be permanently switched off on 30 June 2025.
  2. Energy companies (e.g., OVO, EON) have contacted RTS customers, offering them replacement meters, some may have received red letters urging them to contact their supplier to organise a replacement.

How Many Customers Are Affected?

  1. Thousands of households and businesses across the UK still use RTS meters.
  2. Rural areas with high electric heating dependence are likely to be the most affected.
  3. If you are unsure whether you are impacted, check with your energy supplier.

 

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