Plans to shut down a decades-old energy meter system have been pushed back amid fears that hundreds of thousands of homes could have been left without heating or hot water. The government has announced a delay to the switch-off of Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters after warnings that the process had been “doomed to failure” and could plunge vulnerable households into chaos.
Around 314,000 homes still rely on RTS meters, which use longwave radio signals to control heating and switch between peak and off-peak rates. The technology, in use since the 1980s, is now obsolete, but the energy industry has struggled to replace the meters in time for the planned June 30 cut-off.
Campaigners had warned the move risked leaving families without heat, or with systems stuck permanently on, potentially triggering soaring bills. Energy consumers minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said the government would now adopt a “cautious and targeted phase out” instead of a hard deadline. She said “thousands of vulnerable consumers” would no longer face “sudden disruption” this month.
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Households and businesses will now be contacted by their suppliers well in advance of any localised switch-off, and in most cases, will be offered a smart meter upgrade, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, welcomed the intervention but warned there was still work to be done.
He said: “The RTS switch-off process was doomed to failure after it became clear that the deadline was simply unachievable. Ministers are right to be getting a grip on the situation and holding Ofgem and the energy industry to account. We now need to see a plan published that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when.
“Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes.”
Energy regulator Ofgem said it had “been clear that customers must be protected at every stage of the phased area-by-area shutdown” and that it was setting out “key requirements” for energy firms before signals are cut.
Charlotte Friel, Ofgem’s retail pricing director, urged households to respond if contacted. “It remains crucial that these meters are replaced urgently, so it’s vital to engage with your supplier when offered an appointment,” she said.
Industry group Energy UK said firms were ramping up installation rates, which have jumped from 1,000 a month to 1,800 a day. Ned Hammond, Energy UK’s deputy director for customers, said: “This momentum needs to continue and we urge customers to engage with their supplier to book an appointment prior to their meter being phased out.”
The pause will be seen as a major U-turn by officials after months of insisting the end-of-June deadline would be met. However, the government now faces pressure to ensure no household is left behind as it transitions to newer technology.