If you have a radio teleswitch or dynamically teleswitched energy meter

You might have been told by your electricity supplier you need to have your radio teleswitch (RTS) or dynamically teleswitched (DTS) electricity meter replaced. This is because the radio frequency it uses to switch between peak and off-peak rates is being switched off.

The radio frequency is expected to be switched off in summer 2025. Ofgem, the energy regulator, currently expects all RTS and DTS meters to be replaced by March 2025.

Check if you need to replace your meter

You’ll probably know if you have a radio teleswitch (RTS) or dynamically teleswitched (DTS) meter. You might have one if:

• you live in the East Midlands or Scotland

• your house is heated using electricity

• you have electric storage and water heaters

• you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example if you have a peak and off-peak rate for electricity

You can check if you have a meter that needs replacing by looking for a transmitter or teleswitch box - this is usually next to your electricity meter. The box is how your meter connects with your energy supplier, it might have a ‘Teleswitch’ label on the outside. 

If you're not sure if your meter needs replacing, check on your electricity supplier's website, some have a list of RTS and DTS meters with pictures. You could also contact your supplier to check.

Getting your meter replaced

If you’ve been contacted by your electricity supplier they should have told you how and when your meter is being replaced. 

Radio teleswitch (RTS) and dynamically teleswitch (DTS) meters are being replaced with smart meters. Smart meters work in the same way as your meter does now, so you should still get an automatic peak and off-peak rate and it should turn hot water systems on and off.

If your new smart meter can’t work in exactly the same way as your RTS or DTS meter, your supplier should explain what will change. For example, if your peak and off-peak times are slightly different. 

If you’ve not been contacted by your electricity supplier and you’d like a smart meter - contact them and ask for one. Check how to get a smart meter installed.

If you can’t get a smart meter

You might not be able to get a smart meter if you live in an area with poor phone signal. Smart meters use a Wide Area Network (WAN) to connect your energy meter to your supplier - this relies on a signal which works in a similar way to phone signal.

If you can’t get a WAN connection your supplier will contact you. They’ll work with you to replace your meter with one that will work in the same way as your current meter.

If you’ve not heard from your supplier and you don’t think a smart meter will work in your home, contact them to check.

If you have a shared meter

If you think you have a shared RTS or DTS meter, contact the person or company you pay for your energy - this could be a landlord or management company.

Other heating options

You’ll have one single rate for your electricity - this could work out more expensive if you have a storage heating system.

You could look at alternative heating options for your home such as:

• connecting your home to the gas grid and installing central heating - this might not be possible if you live in certain areas

• installing a heat pump - this is a low carbon way of heating that uses less electricity, but it can be expensive to install

You might be able to get help with the cost of a new storage heater or heat pump, or getting connected to the gas grid and getting central heating.

Check if you can get help making energy efficiency changes to your home.