Race to replace RTS electricity meters in Brighton & Hove
Thousands of Brighton & Hove residents could be left without heating and hot water this year if they do not have their aging RTS electricity meter replaced ahead of the summer switch-off deadline.
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which uses radio signals to tell some electricity meters to switch on or off, will be phased out from Monday, 30 June this year, as the system is no longer viable.
With 600,000 RTS meters still operating in homes, schools and businesses across Britain, the race is on to upgrade them all in time.
City targeted as a key area
Brighton & Hove has been identified as a key area – with more than 6,000 customers affected, many of whom have electric storage systems and/or immersion heaters in water tanks that heat up overnight.
Energy company EDF is spearheading a project to significantly raise the replacement rate in Sussex by devoting extra engineering resources.
Suppliers will be writing to all affected consumers, so if your energy supplier contacts you, take action to book your installation.
Brighton & Hove, where EDF supplies energy to a large number of households and businesses, is the first of these projects to launch since the energy sector united last summer to form an RTS Taskforce dedicated to meeting the challenge head on.
This ‘hotspot approach’ will be mirrored in other areas of the country.
Replacing RTS meters across the city
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Brighton & Hove City Council’s Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said: “We know that Brighton & Hove is disproportionately affected by the RTS issue because of the number of households with electric heating systems. We’re pleased that energy companies are working in the city to exchange these meters to protect our residents.
“It’s really important that anyone with one of these meters has it replaced, as it could lead to them not being able to use their heating.
“Most RTS upgrades are a straightforward process, taking no more than a couple of hours. However, a small number of cases could pose technical challenges that may require more than one visit. For that reason, it’s important that this work is carried out sooner rather than later – so if you are contacted by your energy supplier, please don’t ignore or delay responding to them.”
National call to action
The Brighton & Hove project is one of the commitments set out in the RTS Call To Action that energy companies signed up to following the formation of an industry collective Taskforce.
In September 2024, energy regulator Ofgem gathered suppliers and stakeholders at its office in Glasgow for a summit calling for a collective response to reach as many households as possible before the service is switched off.
Among the other commitments set out in the Call to Action are
- Fast tracking RTS customers for meter upgrades and prioritising known vulnerable consumers, particularly those who are over 75 years old and households with children under five years old
- Tackling technical challenges head on, sharing knowledge and expertise to deliver solutions.
- Providing monthly progress updates to closely track the replacement rate and consider if further action is needed to deliver more improvement.
Meeting the challenge
Charlotte Friel, director of consumer protection and retail markets for Ofgem, said: “One of the key functions of the RTS Taskforce is identifying hotspot areas that need more targeted resources to accelerate the upgrade programme. So it is pleasing to see EDF taking forward this push to drive up the replacement rate in Brighton & Hove.
“This is a positive declaration of intent to meet the RTS challenge head on, so our message to people in the area is that support is ready and waiting. If you are contacted by your energy supplier to arrange an appointment, please engage with them.”
Rich Hughes, director of retail, EDF, said: “RTS was a technology ahead of its time. Introduced over 40 years ago, it automatically switched electrical storage heating systems on during lower price off-peak times.
“Many of these systems have been removed over the years, but it’s critical that any remaining customers who still rely on these heating systems have their electrical set-up updated to ensure their heating continues to work when the radio signal is turned off.
“We are working hard to contact all affected customers, but we’d also urge anyone who has an RTS meter, or suspects they might have one, to get in touch with their supplier as soon as possible to arrange an appointment.”
Help with energy bills
If you are struggling with energy bills this winter, find information on the help with energy bills page on the council’s website.
There’s also extra support available for older people through the Brighton & Hove Fuel Payment. Visit the request help and support page on the council’s website or call the Community Hub helpline on 01273 293117 (option 2).
More information
The RTS was introduced in the 1980s and has reached the end of its natural operational life.
The equipment that is used to transmit the radio signal for RTS can’t be adequately maintained, with spare parts no longer being manufactured.
The radio signal and supporting infrastructure and systems will be shut down and the service they support will be phased out from 30 June 2025.
These electricity meters were designed to support customers who may use electric storage systems and panel or immersion heaters in water tanks - which may typically heat up overnight.
For more information visit the RTS webpage at: Replacing your Radio Teleswitch electricity meter | Ofgem