Important Update: RTS Meter Switch-Off

RTS Electricity Meters Are Being Switched Off – What You Need to Know Before 30 June 2025.

The technology behind many older electricity meters is being permanently switched off by all energy providers – and thousands of households and housing providers could be impacted.

The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS), which has been in place since the 1980s, is being phased out by the energy industry and will officially shut down on 30 June 2025. This change, overseen by Ofgem, affects properties using RTS electricity meters, which are common in homes with electric heating or Economy 7 tariffs.

Why is this happening?

RTS relies on long wave radio signals to control meter switching – for example, to automatically move between day and night tariffs or turn heating on and off. With modern smart meter infrastructure now available nationwide, the RTS technology is being retired.

While this is a positive move for the energy industry, it presents an urgent issue for landlords and housing providers who still have RTS meters in place – particularly in tenanted or hard-to-reach properties.

What happens if I do nothing?

If a property still has an RTS meter after the 30 June deadline, the meter may stop working altogether, or behave unpredictably. This could lead to:

> Higher electricity bills due to inaccurate switching

> Disruption to heating schedules

> Loss of supply in some cases

This can affect both your residents’ comfort and your ability to manage property costs effectively.

What do I need to do?

If you know or suspect any of your properties are using RTS meters, it’s important to contact the relevant energy supplier urgently to request an upgrade to a modern smart meter. This applies regardless of which supplier you or your tenants use – the switch-off is industry-wide.

Some key actions:

> Contact the supplier: Whether you use OVO, British Gas, E.ON or another provider, the best starting point is to ask them directly to confirm if a meter is RTS and what upgrade options are available.

> Raise awareness internally: Share this information with your housing management teams and contractors so they know what to look out for.

> Inform tenants: Where possible, encourage tenants to contact their supplier directly, especially if they manage their own utilities.

How Helpthemove is supporting you

At Helpthemove, we’re working closely with our energy partners at OVO and clients to make this transition as smooth as possible. Our account managers will be reaching out to clients we believe may be impacted over the coming weeks, to facilitate meter upgrades. You don’t need to wait for this call, and can get in touch with your supplier directly if you want to get ahead.

We also encourage you to amplify Ofgem’s messaging across your teams and residents to ensure no one is caught out by the switch-off.

Further reading

• Ofgem: Replacing your RTS electricity meter
• OVO: Radio Teleswitching Service – what’s changing

If you’re unsure about whether your properties are affected, don’t wait – take action now to avoid unnecessary disruption for you and your residents.