Around 175,000 homes in Scotland face the risk of losing heating and hot water if residents do not switch their old meters. Ofgem, the regulator, has issued a warning as they prepare to deactivate the outdated Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) longwave system permanently by next June. Despite the impending switch-off, a significant number of Scottish households, approximately 175,000 out of 800,000 across Britain, still utilise RTS meters for monitoring energy consumption.
Concerned residents who have RTS meters or are uncertain about their meter type are urged to promptly reach out to their energy supplier for guidance and to schedule an appointment for a meter replacement. The deadline for the RTS switch-off is set for June 30 next year. Ofgem has declared the RTS system, which utilises long wave radio signals to control electricity meters between on and off-peak modes, obsolete.
The regulator acknowledges a delay in the replacement process and stresses the need to expedite the mass meter replacement initiative. Failure to upgrade meters could result in certain properties being left without essential heating and hot water or experiencing issues with controlling their heating systems effectively. Charlotte Friel, Ofgem’s director of consumer protection, emphasised the necessity for urgent and decisive action to prevent potential hazards.
As of June this year, approximately 860,000 homes and small businesses in the UK depended on RTS signals for energy tariffs, with 240,000 of these located in Scotland. Common indicators of an RTS meter include meters switching between on and off-peak rates, usage of electric storage heaters, and residences not connected to the gas grid, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Consumer Scotland’s CEO, Sam Ghibaldan, highlights the critical need for immediate action to safeguard consumers from disruptions due to the impending switch-off. Ghibaldan stresses the responsibility of energy suppliers to actively engage with affected consumers and facilitate meter replacements promptly. While Ofgem collaborates with industry and consumer groups to address the issue collectively, Energy Action Scotland’s Frazer Scott criticises the delayed acceleration of the replacement process.
The urgency to upgrade meters and mitigate potential consequences for affected households is paramount. Ofgem and stakeholders are actively working towards a swift and effective resolution to ensure consumer safety. Consumers are advised to contact their energy provider promptly for meter replacements to navigate the impending switch-off smoothly. The collective efforts of suppliers, organisations, and regulatory bodies aim to accelerate the replacement programme before the deadline in the best interest of consumers across Scotland.