9 hours Ago
Warning 300,000 could lose heating and hot water when meters are switched off in just two months By DAILY MAIL REPORTER Updated: 18:19 EDT, 30 April 2025 e-mail View comments More than 300,000 homes are at risk of losing their hot water and heating when their electricity meters are switched off on July 1, the industry said yesterday. Energy firms admitted current rates of replacement mean it is likely thousands of Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters will not be upgraded in time. The RTS system uses a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates.
But the technology is becoming obsolete and companies have a deadline to change them by June 30. Energy UK, which represents firms, said that at the end of March, 430,000 homes remained on an RTS meter with some 1,000 being replaced each day. Energy firms admitted current rates of replacement mean it is likely thousands of Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters will not be upgraded in time The RTS system uses a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off-peak rates Campaigners said this implies that more than 300,000 households could be left with a meter which does not work from July 1.
Ned Hammond, of Energy UK, told the BBC that the rate of replacement is rising, but added a 'significant' increase is needed. Asked whether it is impossible to get every RTS meter switched by June 30, he said: 'I wouldn't want to say impossible – but clearly very, very difficult.' The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to watchdog Ofgem and the Government about the 'dangerously behind schedule' replacement effort.
Co-ordinator Simon Francis said: 'There is a very real risk that over 300,000 households will find their RTS meter stops working properly come July 1. Government, regulators and energy firms need to face up to the looming crisis and ramp up efforts to help people switch.' Share or comment on this article: Warning 300,000 could lose heating and hot water when meters are switched off in just two months e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted.
Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules . Submit Comment Clear Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
No Yes Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy . More top stories.
