Smart Meter Warning British Gas.- British Gas has issued a critical warning to thousands of households: energy bills could rise sharply due to an upcoming shutdown of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS). Around 12,000 customers still need to upgrade their meters before the end of June.
What’s Happening?
The RTS, a decades-old system used to control multi-rate electricity meters remotely, is being switched off permanently. If your home relies on an RTS meter, you’re at risk of being moved to a more expensive default tariff unless you act quickly.
Who’s Affected?
You may be affected if:
- Your property uses electric storage heaters, panel heaters, or immersion water tanks.
- You live in a rural area without access to gas.
- You benefit from cheaper electricity rates at night, such as:
- Economy 7
- Economy 10
- Total Heat Total Control
Look for a separate box near your electric meter labelled “radio teleswitch” – that’s a major giveaway.
What Should You Do?
British Gas and other suppliers like OVO, EDF, EON, and Octopus are urging customers to switch to a smart meter as soon as possible.
According to Ofgem:
“Smart meters are the best replacement for RTS meters – giving consumers more control of their energy usage and access to new money-saving tariffs.”
But smart meters aren’t the only option. Ofgem also encourages suppliers to explore alternative solutions that suit different households.
Take Action
✅ Check if your meter is RTS-based
✅ Contact your supplier for a smart meter upgrade or other alternatives
✅ Act before the June deadline to avoid unexpected increases in your electricity bills