{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreig3atnxsycr7ridvifzbxwmnmri6hoas7bwavbmj272xcfd3v34lm",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfjmhmvh3m22"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreigtjhloewyuctfeavl5d5h7arg2ql2pgg3khfu5chxcgk2iisnmuu"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 91825
  },
  "path": "/money/energy-bill-switch-electricity-meter-heating",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-23T11:49:35.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Energy UK",
    "regulator Ofgem are issuing an urgent appea",
    "Ed Miliband's Net Zero policies slammed as 18,000 jobs lost and housing crisis hits North Sea hub",
    "British Gas boss pockets £3.6MILLION bonus despite energy firm's profits plummeting",
    "Net zero fury as 1,300-acre solar farm approved in Ed Miliband’s constituency",
    "Ofgem's dedicated page dedicated to the issue",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nNearly 150,000 households with an old-fashioned electricity meter are being urged to \"switch now\" or face higher energy bills later this year.\n\nEnergy UK and regulator Ofgem are issuing an urgent appeal to approximately 146,000 British households still relying on outdated Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) electricity meters to arrange replacements before the signal is permanently discontinued this summer.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe phased shutdown, which was paused during winter to protect customers from losing heating control in cold weather, will restart next month for properties in England and Wales, with Scottish households following in April.\n\nDespite more than 300,000 RTS meters being swapped out since last year, figures from January 2026 found that out of 154,000 meters still requiring replacement, just 8,000 appointments have been scheduled with energy suppliers.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe RTS dates back to the 1980s, when it was introduced as a method of automatically switching household electricity between peak and off-peak rates using long-range radio signals.\n\nHowever, the infrastructure generating these signals has become obsolete over the decades and can no longer be maintained with any reliability.\n\nThis deterioration poses a significant risk of sudden, unplanned system failure, which prompted energy companies to accelerate their replacement programme last year.\n\nAs a result, this archaic technology meant customers needed to transition to more dependable metering systems, with smart meters now serving as the primary alternative for most affected properties.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Ed Miliband's Net Zero policies slammed as 18,000 jobs lost and housing crisis hits North Sea hub\n  * British Gas boss pockets £3.6MILLION bonus despite energy firm's profits plummeting\n  * Net zero fury as 1,300-acre solar farm approved in Ed Miliband’s constituency\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nNed Hammond, the deputy director of Policy (Customers) at Energy UK, said: \"Suppliers have been working hard to deliver a carefully managed phase out of the RTS signal and have replaced more than 300,000 RTS meters in the last year.\"\n\nHe added: \"They've contacted affected customers multiple times, including people in remote and hard-to-reach locations.\"\n\nMr Hammond warned that \"the final switch off is now imminent and we're expecting a rush for appointments in this final stage\".\n\nThe energy policy expert advised customers: \"Your supplier will notify you when your meter is being phased out but the best way to avoid any impact on your hot water and heating is to book an appointment as soon as you can.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHouseholds that fail to arrange a meter swap risk losing the ability to control their heating and hot water systems, or could find themselves billed at incorrect rates throughout the day, resulting in unexpectedly high energy costs.\n\nEnergy suppliers are offering the replacement service at no charge and can provide guidance on suitable tariffs for individual heating setups.\n\nCustomers may have an RTS meter if they have received communications from their electricity supplier about the issue, have a switch box labelled \"Radio Teleswitch\" near their meter, use electric or storage heaters, lack access to mains gas, or are on tariffs such as Economy 7 or Economy 10.\n\nThose looking for more information about replacing their RTS meter are encouraged to visit Ofgem's dedicated page dedicated to the issue.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "150,000 households urged to 'switch' electricity meters now or risk higher energy bills"
}