A Quiet Crisis for 300,000 Homes: Could Your Property Be Affected by the RTS Switch-Off?

It has not made many headlines, but a quiet technical change happening this summer could affect some homes across the UK. On 30 June 2025, the Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) will be permanently switched off. This older technology is still used in around 300,000 homes to control heating and hot water, often during cheaper off-peak hours.

Many of these homes are older properties or rental flats, and the people living in them may not even realise they are using an RTS meter. Energy companies are encouraging people to switch to smart meters, and in many cases, this is because of the RTS shutdown.

What is an RTS meter?

RTS meters were introduced years ago to help energy companies switch heating or hot water systems on and off remotely. This was usually done in line with off-peak tariffs like Economy 7, which offer cheaper electricity overnight. These meters are often found in homes that use electric storage heaters or have no gas connection.

Once the RTS signal is turned off, these meters may stop working properly. This could mean heating and hot water coming on at the wrong times, or not at all. While this is not a safety issue, it could cause confusion or inconvenience for anyone living in the property.

Why it matters for landlords, buyers and sellers

For landlords, this could create problems if tenants suddenly have issues with their heating or hot water. It might also affect energy costs, especially if the home is no longer able to use the cheaper overnight rates as expected.

For sellers, it is worth checking what kind of meter is in the property. Buyers may not want to discover after a sale that their heating does not work as expected, or that they need to arrange an upgrade right away.

And for buyers and estate agents, it is a good idea to ask about the type of meter before completing a purchase. This could help avoid delays or unexpected costs after moving in.

What to do next

If you own or manage a property that has electric heating or uses an Economy 7 tariff, it is worth checking whether it still has an RTS meter. If your energy company is offering a smart meter upgrade, it may be linked to this issue.

Upgrading to a smart meter is usually free, but many companies are facing challenges replacing every RTS meter before the deadline. Taking action now could help avoid inconvenience later.

While this may only affect a small part of the housing market, it is something worth keeping in mind. A simple check today could save a lot of confusion further down the line.