More than 820,000 households could see their energy bills soar if their energy supplier doesn't switch their meters in the next few months.
Customers at some of the UK's biggest power companies are still relying on old-fashioned electricity meters which will stop working in April 2024, with Scottish Power, Eon Next and Octopus Energy each having more than 100,000 customers using the legacy equipment.
The so-called RTS meters rely on the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which broadcasts a signal alongside the long-wave channel for BBC Radio 4. Hundreds of thousands of customers on Economy 7 and other multi-rate energy tariffs use these electricity meters, which charge customers cheaper rates depending on the time of day.
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Economy 7 gives customers cheaper rates during the night but more expensive ones during the day. The cheaper, or off-peak, rate usually kicks in at midnight to 7am, while the daytime rate covers the rest of the day, so from 7am til midnight. Seven hours of cheaper electricity - hence the name Economy 7.
Electricity meters that rely on RTS pick up the signal and switch the electricity rates at different times of the day. However, there are fears that these meters could be left jammed on peak time electricity rates depending on when the RTS signal dies, leading to big bill hikes for households affected by the switch off.
Some RTS electricity meters can also automatically turn heating and hot water systems on and off during certain hours, but once the RTS signal is switched off on March 31, 2024, it could leave those with heating systems controlled by RTS on or off permanently.
New data from Elexon, the company responsible for comparing how much electricity generators and suppliers say they will produce or consume with actual volumes shows the number of customers still using RTS-controlled meters varies by firm.
Over 100,000 customers at each of Eon Next, Octopus Energy (including Bulb) and Scottish Power still rely on RTS meters as well as a further 50,000 customers each at British Gas, EDF and Ovo Energy (including Boost and SSE).
The full countdown is:
Scottish Power: 172,405
E.On Next: 157,069
Octopus Energy: 100.992
EDF Energy: 78,942
Bulb: 63,330
British Gas: 61,254
SSE: 59,409
Ovo Energy: 55,258
Utility Warehouse: 24,538
Shell Energy: 24,400
So Energy: 8,886
Outfox The Market: 5,578
Utilita: 3,303
Good Energy: 2,224
With less than a year to go before the planned switch-off, energy regulator Ofgem said in a letter to suppliers that it was disappointed at the lack of progress. An Ofgem spokesperson told The Sun: "Suppliers have to make sure meters are safe and accurate, and this sometimes means replacing the meter. We expect suppliers to communicate clearly to their customers about this."
Here's what you need to know about the switch off:
How do I know if I have an RTS electricity meter?
The oldest RTS-powered meters have a switch box labelled "Radio Teleswitch" located next to the electricity meter. Others may the RTS switch box included within the electricity meter as a single box on the wall. If you're unsure about the type of electricity meter you have, your supplier will usually have this information.
What do I need to do?
The only way to avoid facing the issues expected to arise from the RTS switch off is to switch to a smart meter, which will ensure you still get access to multi-rate energy tariffs, including Economy 7.
If you don't hear from your energy supplier, Energy UK recommends that customers get in touch to enquire about having one fitted.
What are the benefits of installing a smart meter?
Smart meters are designed so that you no longer need to send meter readings and you won't be visited by a meter reader to record your usage. This makes your bill more accurate as it's based on readings from actual usage, rather than estimates.
An in-home display (IHD) is also usually provided which connects to the meter and shows your energy usage and the cost in pounds and pence, allowing you to track how much energy you use at night, during the day and at peak times.
You can find out more about smart meters here.
Will a smart meter save me money?
A smart meter won’t automatically save you money. You’ll have to be proactive to reduce your energy costs by keeping track of how much energy you’re using and trying to reduce it.
Do I have to have a smart meter?
A supplier has a legal right to fit a smart meter if IT deems the meter in place to be end-of-life. You might not be able to refuse a smart meter because not many old-style meters are made now and your supplier might not have any in stock.
However, according to Citizens Advice, you can ask your supplier to install your smart meter with the extra functionality switched off. This means it’ll work in the same way as your current meter, and won’t send any information to your supplier. Contact your supplier to check if they can do this.
Are you happy with your smart meter? Join in the conversation below
Can I switch supplier if I have a smart meter?
If you have a smart meter, you can still switch energy supplier. Before you switch, it's a good idea to check if your meter will work in 'smart mode' after switching. Smart mode means your meter automatically sends readings to your supplier.
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