Radio Teleswitching Service - Switch Off Drawing Closer

The phased national switch-off of Radio Teleswitch Signal (RTS) meters in Scotland is due to resume in April and is expected to be completed by late June 2026.

Orkney residents who have RTS meters and haven't yet requested that their meter is replaced are being urged to get in touch with their energy suppliers to organise one before the end of June.

The RTS, was initially scheduled to be completely phased out in June 2025, but the signal was extended until June 2026 to enable more meters to be replaced before the deadline.

At the time of writing, there are currently 486 RTS meters in Orkney that have yet to be replaced.

If these meters aren’t replaced by the switch-off date, residents may find that electric heating systems, such as storage heaters, as well as electric hot water systems may stop working as intended, if at all.

What are the benefits of smart meters?

There are many benefits to smart meters, these include: 

• Send readings automatically, so you don’t need to provide regular meter reading
• Provide accurate bills (no more estimates).
• Help you track your energy use and spot where savings might be made.
• You will be able to access a wider range of electricity tariffs, including "smart meter only" tariffs.

What is the Radio Teleswitch Service?

Prior to smart meters, energy providers relied on the Radio Teleswitch Service to provide information to certain meters – generally those with off-peak and standard periods. Examples of such meters included those that operated with Total Heat & Total Control or Economy 7.

Devices were fitted next to the meters to receive information via long wave signal, such as communicating to the meter when it was an ‘off peak’ period. Energy used during an ‘off-peak’ is generally cheaper than energy used at a standard rate. There are still some meters in Scotland that rely on the RTS; however, these meters are no longer being installed.

What do I need to do next?

Speak to your electricity supplier directly as soon as possible to book a smart‑meter installation and discuss your tariff. Suppliers are responsible for replacing RTS meters and ensuring a suitable tariff and configuration for electric heating/hot water.

If you are on the Priority Services Register (PSR) and believe that you may have an RTS meter, please contact your energy supplier as soon as possible to discuss next steps.

What if I choose not to upgrade to a smart meter?

If you don’t switch to a smart meter, you may find there is disruption to your heating, particularly storage heaters and hot water when the RTS is switched off in your area.

You may find your heating and/or hot water is either continually off or on, potentially leading to increased costs.

A smart meter will give a similar service to your RTS meter and will activate heaters/hot water during off-peak times when electricity is cheaper. 

Issues relating to smart meters

Smart meters should work across the vast majority of Orkney, but some areas may have signal or network constraints. Despite this, it’s still important to start the process with your supplier now so there’s time to resolve any issues well before the 30 June deadline.

What if an appointment to swap my meter is cancelled?

As the transition of meters progressed, homeowners began to report issues where appointments to have meters swapped were cancelled multiple times.

New Guaranteed Standards of Performance earlier this year now means that customers are automatically compensated where meter exchanges have not been completed within the required timescales.

Who can help locally?

THAW Orkney (Tackling Household Affordable Warmth)

• Phone: 01856 878388 • Email: info@thaworkney.co.uk

Orkney Islands Council Housing Services – Council Tenants Only

• Phone: 01856 873535 • Email: housing@orkney.gov.uk

Orkney Housing Association (OHAL) – OHAL Tenants Only

• Phone: 01856 875253 • Email: enquiries@ohal.org.uk

Citizens Advice Orkney (Orkney CAB)

• Phone: 01856 875266 • Email: bureau@orkneycab.casonline.org.uk

Useful national information

• Ofgem consumer guide – “Replacing your Radio Teleswitch electricity meter” (how to check if you have RTS, what suppliers must do): ofgem.gov.uk/rts
• RTS phase‑out approach (how the phased switch‑off works): ofgem.gov.uk/policy/radio‑teleswitch‑service‑rts‑phase‑out‑approach
• Government statement on the phased approach (19 June 2025): gov.uk/government/news/government‑steps‑in‑to‑protect‑consumers‑with‑old‑energy‑meters