Your Guide to RTS, the Radio Teleswitch Service
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Technology supporting Radio Teleswitch is planned to end in June 2025 as it comes to the end of its operational life. This is an industry-wide change, so it isn’t just affecting Ecotricity customers.
What is the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS)?
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) uses a long wave radio signal to switch certain types of meters between peak and off-peak rates, and also controls your hot water and heating.
The service is being discontinued because the radio frequency used, called Longwave radio broadcast, is being switched off. Technology has come a long way since Longwave was introduced in the 1980s, so it’s no longer going to be supported, meaning any equipment still using it won’t be supported either.
All energy suppliers in Britain are expected to replace all RTS meters by June 2025.
How do I know if my meter will be affected?
You might have an RTS meter if:
There’s a boost button on your meter
There’s a separate switch box next to your meter
You’re on a multi-rate tariff, i.e. Economy 7
Your home is heated by electric or storage heaters.
What happens next?
Our third-party engineers, Calisen or AES, will contact you to arrange a meter exchange if your meter is affected.
Your existing meter will be exchanged for a SMETS2 smart meter. Your new meter will work in the same way as your current meter, so your tariff won’t be affected.
Plus, we’ll credit your Ecotricity account with £25 once your meter has been exchanged.
Some set-ups are more complex than others and we’ll need extra time to plan your exchange. You should hear from us soon.
We might contact you asking for photos of your meter and wiring.
Benefits of switching to a smart meter
You’ll have access to exclusive tariffs, including our Fixed EV and Smart Export Tariff (coming in the new year)
You won’t have to send in your meter readings – we'll receive them automatically
You’ll receive accurate bills, never estimated
You can view your energy usage in near real-time on your In-Home Display (IHD)
You can continue using your hot water and heating as usual, without disruption when the RTS is shut off.
What happens if I don’t exchange my meter?
Your heating and/or hot water may be continually switched on, costing you more
Your meter may switch to single rate, meaning you’ll be charged one rate instead of benefiting from on-peak and off-peak rates
Your supplier won’t be able to confirm your energy usage across on peak and off-peak rates.
If you’re not sure if you have an RTS meter, get in touch with our team at meteringqueries@ecotricity.co.uk with a photo of your meter set up. You can also call us on 0345 555 7100.
Find out more about RTS:
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