The warning relates to households that still use radio teleswitch service meters, as the supporting infrastructure which broadcasts the signal to these meters is being switched off on June 30
E.ON Next has warned 65,000 customers risk being cut off within months unless they take action now.
The warning relates to households that still use radio teleswitch service (RTS) meters. RTS meters use radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates and were first introduced in the 1980s – but the supporting infrastructure which broadcasts the signal is being switched off on June 30.
If you don’t contact your energy supplier to update your system, you could end up being left with your heating and hot water being permanently switched off, or permanently switched on, which would increase your energy bills. It won’t cost you a penny to update your RTS meter. It is estimated there are still around 530,000 RTS meters being used in Britain.
Ramona Vlasiu, chief operating officer at E.ON Next, told The Sun : “It is vitally important for customers with RTS meters to respond to us to ensure their meter is upgraded before the radio signal is switched off from June 30. We have engineers available to upgrade your meter to ensure your supply is not affected.”
You may have an RTS meter if you have a switch box near your energy meter labelled Radio Teleswitch, if you have electric or storage heaters, if there is no gas supply to your area, or if you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, people on an Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariffs.
Ofgem recently launched a new campaign, urging for households to upgrade their RTS meter before the June 30 deadline. Charlotte Friel, Director for Retail Pricing and Systems for Ofgem, said: “This new high-profile campaign is a welcome step forward which we hope will enhance the hard work already being done to reach out to affected customers and encourage them to make appointments. This kind of collaborative working epitomises why we set up the RTS Taskforce alongside Energy UK, bringing together suppliers and the wider sector to accelerate progress.”
Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, said: “Energy suppliers are working closely with consumer groups and the regulator Ofgem to urge customers with Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meters to act now to upgrade their meter. Energy suppliers continue to make every effort to get in touch with customers to ensure they have a swift and seamless upgrade, and can give extra support to households that need it. By making sure they are in contact now, customers can minimise disruption, arrange a smooth meter replacement and continue enjoying the benefits they currently receive from RTS.”
