Important information for people with all-electric energy at home
The Radio Teleswitch Service switch-off
If you use all-electric energy supply at home, you probably have an ‘RTS’ (Radio Teleswitch Service) box. RTS boxes are an old technology, introduced in the 1980s, attached to electricity meters in homes with an all-electric supply. Their job is to tell the meter when to switch between peak and off-peak and they are a vital part of keeping costs under control for all-electric customers.
At the end of June, all RTS boxes will stop working. If you do nothing, your bills may go up because you will pay peak electric rates all the time.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions you might have about the switch-off.
What should I do?
Firstly, have you already switched to a SMART meter? If the answer is yes, great! You’re ready for the change and you don’t need to do anything further.
If you still have an RTS box, you need to contact your energy supplier – they have a duty to sort this out for you, free of charge. They should have written to you already but if you missed the letter, call them as soon as you can – their number will be on your bill.
What if I’m not sure?
Call your energy supplier – they will be able to tell you and help you understand what to do. If it seems a bit difficult to work it all out, ask to go on to their Priority Services Register – that way you’ll get extra advice and support.
I don’t want a SMART meter/I can’t have one in my property
We know that some people are a bit suspicious of SMART meters and your supplier can’t make you have one. We also know there are a small number of homes where they can’t be fitted.
We would recommend you talk to your supplier. They will help you work out what is best for you, see if they can find a different solution, and make sure you don’t pay more than you need.