Thousands of 'ageing' energy meters to be deactivated as Scots urged to act
According to the Scottish Government, as of January this year there were more than 146,000 households and businesses in Scotland still using RTS meters.
Hundreds of thousands of Scots homes with "ageing" energy meters are being urged to act now before a mass deactivation begins in just over 100 days.
According to the Scottish Government, as of January this year there were more than 146,000 households and businesses in Scotland still using RTS meters. Between October last year and January this year, only around 18,700 of the devices were replaced.
All signal controlling Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters will be switched off on June 30 as the broadcasting equipment becomes obsolete.
The devices were rolled out in the 80s and use radio signals to instruct some electricity meters to switch between peak and off-peak electricity rates, allowing customers to access cheaper, off-peak electricity.
If the equipment is not replaced by June 30, households could find their heating and hot water stuck permanently on or off, or be moved to a more expensive single-rate tariff.
Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national energy advice service, is warning those affected to check their meters and contact their supplier as soon as possible rather than waiting to be notified.
With the deadline approaching the charity has seen a rise in calls from concerned households and is urging people not to delay taking action.
You can check if you have an RTS meter by looking for a transmitter or teleswitch box next to their electricity meter. It will be labelled "Teleswitch" or "radio telemeter."
People affected by the deactivation should already have been contacted by their energy supplier to arrange a replacement with a modern smart meter.
Anyone who has not yet received a letter or email should contact their supplier now. Advice Direct Scotland is also warning customers to be wary of scams. All RTS meter upgrades should be completed free of charge.
Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Our new campaign is not only about raising awareness of this urgent issue. It’s also about urging people not to wait but to act now.
“We are getting more and more enquiries as the June RTS switchover deadline approaches. I expect there will be even more calls and emails as we approach the cut-off date.
“If you have an RTS meter, it may stop working properly once the service is turned off. This could lead to your heating and hot water being on or off at the wrong times or your supplier incorrectly billing you for electricity usage.
“You may also have fewer tariff options available. To avoid this, you should replace your RTS meter immediately. Energy providers have been reaching out to customers with RTS meters to offer replacements, but you can also get in touch with your supplier directly.
“If you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if they are vulnerable, encourage them to get it replaced soon. The most important thing to remember is that free help and advice is available.
"Anyone who is confused should visit www.energyadvice.scot or call 0808 196 8660 for assistance."