Less than 50 days to go until mass energy meter switch-off, Caithness residents warned

Caithness households with ageing energy meters are being urged to act now to avoid disruption to their heating or hot water systems, with less than 50 days to go until a mass deactivation begins.

Advice Direct Scotland (ADS), which runs the national energy advice service energyadvice.scot, is warning those affected that “time is running out” to replace their old meters.

The signal controlling Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters will be switched off on June 30 as the broadcasting equipment becomes obsolete, affecting thousands of people.

The advice charity is urging households to check their meters and call their energy suppliers if they think they need a replacement, rather than waiting to be contacted.

It is running an RTS countdown clock on the energyadvice.scot website to raise awareness of the issue, amid concerns that meter replacements are not being done fast enough to meet the deadline.

The most recent UK Government figures show around 139,000 RTS meters were still in use across Scotland as of March 7, including more than 47,000 in the Highlands and Islands.

It has since been reported that by the end of April, there were still 135,000 meters remaining, suggesting the rate of replacement is nowhere near fast enough.

Introduced in the 1980s, RTS meters use outdated longwave radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. Without replacement, customers risk being stuck on the wrong setting or moved onto a more expensive single-rate tariff.

With the deadline fast approaching, ADS has been receiving more calls from worried households, a trend it expects to continue.

Its campaign on the issue has highlighted cases from customers around Scotland who have struggled to get their old meter replaced, or have encountered unexpected costs.

In one example, a 69-year-old from Wishaw in North Lanarkshire said she had to spend £700 fixing her kitchen after being forced to install a smart meter ahead of the switch-off.

Anyone who has not received a letter or email should contact their supplier now. Support is available at energyadvice.scot or by calling 0808 196 8660.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of ADS, said: “With less than 50 days to go until the deadline, time is running out. Anyone who thinks they might be affected should act now and contact their supplier.

“If you don’t take action and you are still relying on an RTS meter after June 30, you risk having an unreliable heating and hot water system and incorrect bills.

“Of course, it should not all be left up to customers. The rate at which RTS meters are being replaced across the country is clearly not good enough and must be ramped up urgently.

“We are getting more and more enquiries coming in about this issue, showing that people are clearly worried about how the switch-off will affect them.

“If you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if they are vulnerable, encourage them to get it replaced soon.

“The most important thing to remember is that free help and advice is available. Anyone who is confused should visit www.energyadvice.scot or call 0808 196 8660 for assistance.”

Remember and act now in advance of the switch-off date.

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