Everything You Need To Know About The Upcoming RTS Switch Off
On 30th June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will be switched off. This will affect people who have an RTS meter in their home, and it may mean that their heating and hot water supply stop functioning normally.
If your home does not have a gas supply or a smart meter, then you may be affected by the RTS switch-off. While not every home in this category will be affected, those without a gas supply do likely have an RTS system and therefore may be affected at the end of the month.
This is a nationwide event, and now is the ideal time to upgrade your home to ensure you have a constant supply of heating and hot water.
In this post, SCV Electrical will explain what will be happening on June 30th and how to tell if you have an RTS in your home so you can remain informed and connected throughout these changes.
What Is A Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS)?
A Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is now an outdated technology that relies on radio signals to inform older electrical systems when to switch between peak and off-peak rates.
The radio signals inform certain appliances when to receive power and at what rate, based on the timing. RTS systems were designed to support those who use electricity for their heating and hot water, and have been used with traditional multi-rate meters.
While the number of homes using RTS is dropping, these systems are still present in some older properties, including those without a mains gas supply. You may also rely on RTS if you use electric storage systems, panel heaters or immersion heaters in water tanks for your heating and hot water supply. Many of these appliances charge overnight, which is why off-peak rates are so important for homes using RTS.
RTS systems work by receiving long-wave radio signals from a national transmitter, which informs your electric supply whether it is on or off-peak times. Based on the time of day, these signals will report to the RTS to determine whether it needs to activate or deactivate the off-peak cycles (such as heating water tanks or panels overnight).
Using electricity during off-peak cycles is cheaper, and for those who rely on electricity for their heating and hot water, RTS has been incredibly valuable.
However, now with smart meters and more flexible timing, RTS technology is no longer as accurate or as required as it once was. RTS was introduced to homes across the UK in the 1980s and is now reaching the end of its operational life, as we have better alternatives and more efficient ways to power our homes.
What Does RTS Control, And Do I Have It At Home?
RTS is primarily used for off-peak hours and controls appliances which can be used during these times, such as overnight heating of water tanks. It was a technology that allowed homeowners to take advantage of the reduced fees during off-peak hours, but we are now reaching a service-wide shutdown of RTS in 2025.
While many homes have already made the switch to smart meters, your home may be affected by the switch-off on 30th June if you have the following appliances:
- Storage Heaters: RTS plays a vital role in the power of storage heaters, as they are primarily charged overnight when electricity is cheaper. This provides them with enough power to slowly release heat throughout the day.
- Immersion Heaters: You may be dealing with RTS if you have lower, off-peak immersion heaters where the element is present in a hot water cylinder.
- Water Heating Systems: If your home does not have a gas boiler, then you likely use water heating systems, which will heat water during off-peak times, based on the radio signals given by RTS.
- Other Night-Rate Appliances: Occasionally, RTS may control additional circuits throughout the home which are wired to operate during low-tariff, or off-peak, periods.
As these appliances switch between peak times automatically, many homeowners may not be aware that they are using RTS – until it stops working. The switch off on 30th June can cause issues for these homes, and may mean your heating and hot water stop working as expected.
Understanding what RTS does and whether it affects your home is the first step in preparing for the RTS switch-off in June.
Why Is RTS Being Switched Off In 2025?
RTS was introduced in the 1980s across the UK and is now coming to the end of its operational life. These systems operate through a radio signal, which is received from a national transmitter.
On 30th June 2025, the national transmitter is being decommissioned, which means the signal will no longer be sent. Homes with RTS will no longer perform as they used to, as the automatic programs stop running.
How To Check If You Will Be Affected
As we have mentioned, due to the automatic processes of RTS systems, many homeowners do not realise they have one until it is too late. To prevent issues when the signals are switched off, you need to check whether you are using an RTS and take the steps to upgrade it.
You’re likely to be affected if:
- You do not have gas heating in your home, and instead, your property is heated using electricity or storage heaters
- You rely on off-peak tariffs for heating and hot water, meaning your electricity is cheaper at certain points of the day
- You do not have a smart meter installed
Homes in rural areas or properties such as high-rise flats are most likely to rely on RTS and therefore more likely to be affected. You can check whether you have an RTS system at home by inspecting your electricity meter. There may be a separate switch box near the meter which has a Radio Teleswitch label on it.
Alternatively, you can contact your electricity provider to determine whether you rely on RTS.
What Happens If I Do Nothing?
If you fail to act in time for the RTS switch-off on 30th June 2025, then your home will not function as normal.
This will become obvious to those relying on RTS for their heating and hot water systems, as they will no longer automatically heat up during off-peak hours. You may find that it takes longer for your heating or hot water to kick in, and it will be more expensive to operate.
If you rely solely on off-peak energy, then you can expect your energy bills to increase following this switch-off.
While you may still have access to power following the switch off, you will need to manually change your electricity meters to ensure they operate during on-peak times. Through this manual control, you will only need to leave your meter running for a few hours and can keep track of the temperature using the thermostat. However, it will be more expensive to run and requires constant adjustments.
This is why it is important that you act now and make the necessary upgrades to keep your home heated, safe and efficient.
The Necessary Upgrade: Why Smart Meters Are The Solution
Before the RTS switch-off in June, upgrade your home’s power supply and make the switch to smart meters. These are the ideal solution because they do not rely on radio signals to determine tariff times and instead do this automatically.
Smart meters allow for efficient and reliable power to your home, including those who use electricity for heating and hot water. They can also provide a range of additional benefits, such as:
- Real-Time Data Usage: Smart meters allow you to keep track of your daily or hourly energy use so you can monitor your own off-peak times, what appliances use the most power, and discover ways to reduce energy bills for your family
- Easier Bill Management; With real-time upgrades and daily readings, you can always stay one step ahead of your energy bills and budget accordingly
- Better Tariff Compatibility: Being able to monitor your energy usage makes it easier to find the best tariff for you. You can choose suppliers and energy companies that align with your home’s outage, and find better deals for all electrical needs.
- Automatic Meter Upgrade: Due to the national RTS switch off on 30th June, Ofgen is encouraging all homeowners to make the switch to smart meters. Your energy supplier should provide you with a new meter and ensure a seamless transition for your home
How SCV Electrical Can Help With RTS Switch-Off
As premier commercial and domestic electricians, SCV Electrical can help with the RTS switch-off and ensure a seamless transition to smart meters.
We can help you determine whether you are relying on RTS by performing inspections of your current setup. We can assess the efficiency and safety of your current electrical systems and provide the best recommendations to improve conditions across your home.
Our electricians can also perform the necessary system upgrades to ensure your home remains connected during this time and deliver ongoing safety checks to support this process. We can get you set up with smart meters and ensure that the rest of your electrical devices are primed for this switch with our maintenance, rewires and installation services.
Conclusion
The RTS switch-off takes place on 30th June 2025, so don’t delay – check your meter today and ensure you are ready for the changes. The best alternative to RTS systems is smart meters, and your energy supplier can help with the upgrade.
SCV Electrical are local domestic and commercial electricians who are here to provide additional support during this process. We can help you determine what actions are required ahead of the RTS switch-off and how you can improve your home’s energy output.
Contact Us Today
Reach out to the team today to learn more or request a consultation.
Learn more about the RTS switch-off and how you will be affected through Energy UK, or contact your energy supplier to see whether you will be affected.
