Radio Teleswitch (RTS) Shutdown — What Devon Customers Need to Know
The RTS signal that switches your meter between day and night rates is being turned off. If your storage heaters have stopped charging or your night-rate electricity has disappeared, here's exactly what's happening and how we can help.
Quick check: do you have RTS?
You probably have an RTS meter if:
- • You have storage heaters or off-peak immersion heating
- • Your meter shows two readings (low / normal, or rate 1 / rate 2)
- • There's a separate switching box near the meter
- • You're on Economy 7, Economy 10, Total Heat, or THTC tariff
When does RTS switch off?
The original full-shutdown date of 30 June 2025 has been replaced with a managed regional phase-out running through 2026. Some areas have already lost the signal.
Don't wait. Suppliers are dealing with a huge backlog — the sooner you book a smart meter swap and a heating controls check, the less likely you are to be left with cold rooms or unexpectedly high bills.
What we do for RTS-affected homes
- Test storage heater contactors, timeclocks and switching circuits after a meter swap
- Reconfigure heating controls so old storage heaters work with a new smart meter
- Replace failed dual-tariff contactors and time switches
- Upgrade old brick storage heaters to Dimplex Quantum / high heat retention units
- Install new electric heating systems where the existing setup is beyond repair
- Issue full electrical certification for any new wiring or controls
Storage heaters not charging after meter change?
We can usually attend within a few working days across Devon.
01626 374 059Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTS shutdown?
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is the long-running radio signal that tells older Economy 7, Economy 10 and Total Heat / Total Control meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates. Energy suppliers and Ofgem are switching it off, and customers still on RTS meters need a smart meter replacement plus, in many cases, new heating controls.
When is the RTS service being switched off?
RTS is being phased out — the original 30 June 2025 deadline has been extended to a managed phased switch-off running through 2026. The signal is already being withdrawn region by region, so you should arrange replacement now rather than wait for it to fail.
How do I know if I have an RTS meter?
Look for a separate black/grey switching box near your meter labelled "Radio Teleswitch", a teleswitch symbol, or two meter readings (day and night). If you have storage heaters or an immersion that comes on automatically at night, you almost certainly have RTS.
What happens when RTS is switched off?
Your meter may stop switching to the cheap night rate, leaving heating either off or running on full peak-rate electricity. Storage heaters may not charge. Bills can rise sharply. Your supplier should arrange a free smart meter swap, but you may also need an electrician to check or upgrade the heating controls and contactors.
Can you help with RTS storage heater problems?
Yes. We attend across Devon to test contactors, timeclocks and heater wiring after RTS shutdown, install new dual-tariff controls, and upgrade old brick storage heaters to modern Dimplex Quantum or high heat retention units that work cleanly with smart meters.