News for tenants with teleswitch meters

18-1-2023 15:46

Changes coming for tenants with Radio Teleswitch meters controlling their heating and hot water

The electricity meters in many Orkney Housing Association Ltd homes, mainly those with storage heating, are controlled by a radio signal to switch between peak and off-peak times and prices, and control heating and hot water.
The radio signal, known as the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), was originally planned to be turned off by 31st March 2023, but it is likely to now be put back a full calendar year to 31st March 2024. When this happens, the affected meters will no longer work correctly.
The main tariffs controlled this way as far as Orkney households are concerned are Total Heating Total Control, and White meter. Houses with this kind of supply will have two meters present.
Tenants are advised to contact their electricity supplier directly if they are unsure if their existing electricity tariff is affected.
Support from electricity suppliers for Radio Teleswitch meters is expected to end at that time and suppliers should be in touch to arrange replacement meters.
Electricity suppliers are aware that customers in certain geographic locations may not be able to have a smart meter installed due to connectivity issues. Trade body Energy UK will be working with suppliers early in 2023 to ensure there are non-smart alternative solutions available to install in these areas.
Orkney Housing Association Energy Officer Robert Leslie said: “While RTS meters are no longer installed by energy suppliers, there are still a significant number of RTS meters in circulation, particularly in the north of Scotland, including Orkney. All of these meters will need to be replaced before 31st March 2024. Electricity suppliers will start to contact their customers early in 2023 to book appointments to replace RTS meters with smart meter or non-smart equivalents.”
If you have any questions around this then please contact Robert Leslie, Energy Officer, on 875253 ext 404, or by email at robert.leslie@ohal.org.uk

Related link: SSE Energy services