Many UK homes risk losing heating and hot water as old meters are phased out. Act now to avoid higher bills and service disruptions.
London: So, here’s the scoop. If you live in the UK and have one of those old 1980s electricity meters, you might be in trouble. A service that helps manage your heating and hot water is getting the axe this year.
Ofgem and Energy UK are sounding the alarm. They’re telling folks with radio teleswitch service (RTS) meters to get a move on and upgrade. If you don’t, you could be left in the cold—literally.
These RTS meters were cool back in the day. They switched between peak and off-peak rates using radio signals. But guess what? That tech is ancient and is being switched off on June 30.
Ofgem is pushing a campaign to get people to upgrade before it’s too late. They want everyone to act fast. If you don’t, you might end up with heating and hot water that just won’t work right.
They say it won’t cost you anything to replace the meter. But be careful! There are scams out there. You won’t need to pay anything when you book your upgrade.
As of January 2025, there were about 600,000 of these meters still in use. That’s a lot of homes at risk of losing heat and hot water. So, if you’re one of them, don’t wait!
Charities like National Energy Action are worried, especially for those in poorer areas. They say this switch-off could make life even tougher for families already struggling.
Danni Barnes from National Energy Action pointed out that these old meters often go hand-in-hand with outdated heating systems. This could lead to some serious issues for those who can’t afford to lose control over their heating.
