A warning has been issued to over 2,700 households in the Western Isles that still have teleswitch service (RTS) meters fitted, as the service will be switched off permanently on June 30th 2025.
Tighean Innse Gall is urging all homes still with RTS meters to contact their energy supplier as soon as possible to get these meters replaced free of charge. Homeowners can simply ask for a meter change and what tariffs are available to them to change too.
TIG is concerned that Western Isles inhabitants may face billing and debt issues with the transition onto new tariffs, and is calling for utility companies and Ofgem to offer clearer information around ongoing support available.
It is essential that any homes still with RTS meters contact their energy supplier as soon as possible to get these meters replaced free of charge. Users who do not do this risk being left with heating and hot water either being temporarily always switched off or on, the latter causing huge increases in energy bills.
Currently, there is uncertainty about what the impact may be if RTS meter remains in homes after the June 2025 deadline. It’s especially concerning in the Western Isles, an area that already faces extremely high water and heating costs.
Kirsty MacLeod, Energy Advice Manager for Tighean Innse Gall (TIG), said: “It’s vitally important that householders with RTS meters request a meter change from their utility company as soon as possible. Utility companies will be able to recommend smart meter tariffs, such as those like Economy 10 and Economy 7. We urge any householders who need assistance to get in touch with TIG if they need any support from our officers.
“Greater clarity is needed from utility companies and Ofgem regarding the support available for homeowners moving away from RTS meters. It is positive that meters are being replaced, and replacements are available at no cost to the householders, however the cut-off date is only four months away and households need better and clearer information from their utility companies.
“TIG also has concerns that Western Isles inhabitants are being left behind with lack of engineers based on the islands carrying out changes, we regularly get called to say householders have phoned the utility companies, but they have no availability in the Western Isles. We need to see a substantial increase in metering appointments being given to homes here, to ensure we reach as many homes as possible before the June 2025 deadline.”
RTS meters, that use radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates, were first introduced in the 1980s, but the supporting infrastructure that broadcasts the signal will cease early this summer.
Users who have these devices in their home will have a separate black box, often labelled “Radio Teleswitch” or “Radio Telemeter”, located near their electricity meter. The box controls when the electricity switches between peak and off-peak rates via radio signals.
If households require support to go about changing their RTS meter, please get in touch with Tighean Innse Gall on info@tighean.co.uk or 01851 706121.