Radio Teleswitching Service

When the RTS signal is turned off, your meter could get stuck on the last schedule it used. This means it'll be out of sync with your tariff's peak and off-peak hours, which could end up costing you more. 

You could also be at risk of losing your heating and hot water. We want to avoid this ever happening. So it's really important to get your meter replaced as soon as possible. Once you have your email or letter from us, please get in touch as soon as you can.

We use industry data to identify customers with RTS meters. However, there may be a small number of RTS meters that aren’t listed correctly. If you think this applies to you, please get in touch with us so we can check and support you with what’s needed.

Take a look at the picture below to help identify if you have an RTS meter. Typically, it’s a black box located near your meter(s) with the words “RTS” or “Radio Teleswitch” written on it.

If you think you might have an RTS meter, please contact our specialist team on 0330 102 8594 as soon as possible. They’ll help determine if your meter relies on the RTS signal and guide you on what to do next.

We won’t be able to carry out these replacements if everyone waits until the last minute. That’s why we recommend booking now – so you can get your meter changed before the signal in your area has switched off. We’ll prioritise our vulnerable customers.

If you haven’t had your RTS meter replaced, we’ll confirm the date the signal in your area will be switched off as part of the carefully managed phase-out.

If your RTS meter is still controlling your heating and hot water on that date when the signal switches off, your meter may stop working as expected. This could affect your electric heating and hot water system. For example, storage heaters could stay on continuously. Here are a few precautions we recommend taking to stay safe and comfortable:

• Keep clothing and other coverings away from storage heaters or electric heating panels, and ensure curtains are not hanging too close.
• If your heating or hot water doesn’t work as usual, it’s a good idea to have an alternative, like a plug-in electric heater or fan heater, to use temporarily while we arrange to replace your RTS meter.
• Make sure to dress in warm layers to help stay comfortable if there are any interruptions to your heating.

We’re here to support you, so please reach out if you have any questions.

If the RTS signal in your area has been switched off and you no longer have heating or hot water, please contact our specialist team on 0330 102 8594 to arrange a replacement meter.

We’ll book an appointment for you as soon as possible, prioritising our most vulnerable customers. Once your meter has been replaced, assuming the issue was caused by the RTS signal switch-off, your heating and hot water should start working again according to your tariff.

If your RTS meter is stuck on ‘peak’ or even ‘off-peak’ energy prices, it’s important to contact us to arrange a meter replacement. This issue could lead to higher bills, so reaching out sooner means we can resolve it more quickly for you.

For prepayment meters, this could use up your credit faster than usual. Please get in touch with our specialist Prepayment Team calling 0330 175 9669. They’ll explore options to ensure you stay connected while we arrange your meter replacement.

Yes, even if your heating and hot water now run on gas, it’s still important to replace your RTS meter. Without a replacement, your electricity could stay on peak pricing, which may increase your bills. Getting your meter updated ensures everything works as it should.

This depends on how much energy you use during off-peak times and the benefit you get from it. With a two-rate meter, you typically pay slightly higher prices during peak times compared to a standard single-rate tariff. If off-peak usage accounts for less than 30% of your total energy consumption, it might be worth considering a single-rate tariff instead.

Our team can help explain this and work through your options with you.

Yes, it’s important to replace your RTS meter. Once the RTS signal is switched off, you could lose your off-peak unit pricing, which means charging your EV overnight could become more expensive. When we replace your meter you can continue to benefit from any lower charging rates.

The switch off is happening across the UK. It affects everyone with this type of meter – no matter who supplies your energy.

Atlantic - Comfort Plus 

Atlantic - Economy 10 (Eastern) 

Atlantic - Economy 9 (London) 

Atlantic - Heatwise 

Atlantic - Supertariff 

Atlantic - Warmwise 

Economy & Heating Load 

Evening and Weekend Flexiheat 

Off-Peak A, B, Bx, E, F,Fx 

RHT A, B 

Storage Heating Control (SHC) 

Superdeal 

Total Heat Total Control (THTC) 

White Meter

Winter Warmth

If you pay monthly on the THTC tariff, you’ll have two meters, each managing a separate circuit. If you’re a Pay As You Go customer, you’ll have a single meter, but it will be divided into two circuits. There might also be a boost button for your heating.

One circuit is dedicated to your heating and hot water, which is controlled by the RTS meter and signal. The other circuit powers everything else in your home, like your lights and sockets.

Your heating and hot water are charged at a lower unit price than your lights and sockets, and this lower rate applies 24 hours a day.

If you pay monthly, your lights and sockets are powered by a separate meter, which is always charged at a higher rate. The lower rate also covers any “top-up” heating, like electric fires, towel rails, or electric showers, as long as they’re connected to the heating circuit.

Some appliances, such as washing machines or tumble dryers, may also benefit from the lower rate if they’re wired to this circuit.

What’s changing?

Your old meter relies on the RTS signal, which is being switched off, so we’ll replace it with a meter that doesn’t depend on the signal. You’ll also need to choose a new tariff.

With your new tariff, the higher and lower THTC rates will no longer apply. Instead, your energy usage will be split between peak and off-peak rates, depending on the time of day.

This means appliances currently wired to your lower heating rate won’t always default to the off-peak rate once your meter is replaced and your new tariff is set up. Instead, their energy use will follow the peak and off-peak times of your new tariff.

How do alternative tariffs work?

Take Economy 10 as an example. This tariff offers 10 off-peak hours split across three times of the day. These lower rates don’t just apply to your heating and hot water but to any electricity use in your home.

By shifting more of your energy use to these off-peak times, you could save money. For instance, you might choose to run the washing machine or dishwasher earlier in the day. Many appliances have timer settings, making it easier to optimise your usage around off-peak hours.

You could also consider using smart plugs, which allow you to schedule when your appliances turn on, helping you make the most of the lower pricing periods.

Comparing tariffs like for like is tricky because they all work differently. Below are some examples of how the old and new tariffs compare. These figures are for illustration purposes only and apply from 1 July 2025. Please check your bill for your current rates and yearly energy use.

There might be a difference of 30 minutes or less to your peak and off-peak hours. For example, if your off-peak hours are 12.15am to 7.15am, they could change to 12.45am to 7.45am. Your off-peak hours usually depend on the area you live in.

No, they stay the same throughout the year.

We'll do our best to keep you on the same tariff. In some cases though, your tariff will need to change for it to work with the new meter. 

If this is the case, it’ll be explained in the email or letter we send you. You’ll be able to choose from a range of tariffs offered to customers in this situation. Please call us to talk it through, using the contact details included in your letter or email.

If your tariff is staying the same, you can book an appointment to change your meter without calling us. You can book one online here.

Our team will discuss your current needs and recommend a suitable alternative. For most customers, this will be another peak and off peak tariff. We have several to choose from:

Economy 7 which has 7 hours of off-peak electricity overnight (or in Scotland, Domestic Energy which has between 8 to 8.5 hours).

Economy 9 which has 3 blocks of off-peak electricity throughout the day and night.

Economy 10 which is the same as Economy 9 but with an extra off-peak hour.

Yes – for 2 main reasons. The RTS service is now old technology and can no longer be maintained. 

Smart meters are the alternative, as they have their own communication network that can do the same job as the RTS signal. 

Also, we don't install traditional meters any more as manufacturers are no longer making them. 

Smart meters have lots of benefits. They can let you see how much energy your home is using, and send automatic meter readings. If you’re on a Pay As You Go meter, you’ll be able to top up online or via the OVO Energy Top-up app from wherever you are. 

Find out more about smart meters.

We’ve been working to make it possible for more people to get smart meters. If we’ve been in touch, it means that we can install one now. Please use the contact details in your email or letter to book an appointment.

No, it won't be a problem. We've been able to increase the coverage needed for smart meters across the country using cellular connectivity. This is a different type of signal. Mobile signal coverage has also increased, so now most homes can have a smart meter. If neither signal works in your home, we'll fit an alternative solution. It might mean you don't get all the benefits of a smart meter, but your meter will still work properly and won't be affected by the RTS switch-off.

Citizens Advice, Ofgem, and Energy UK all have more information about the RTS switch off.

OVO is a member of the RTS Taskforce. You can read more about the Taskforce on the Ofgem website here. 

The RTS Taskforce is made up of organisations and companies across the energy industry. It includes energy suppliers like OVO, as well as the industry regulator Ofgem, the trade association Energy UK, the nonprofit Smart Energy GB, plus Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and the Government. 

Members of the Taskforce are working together with other key groups, like consumer groups and housing associations, to upgrade all RTS meters in the UK ahead of the switch off.