Around 900,000 homes may face heating issues as energy meters fail due to a signal shutdown
Edinburgh: So, it looks like a lot of homes are in for a rough ride. About 900,000 households in the UK are going to have their energy meters go haywire later this year. The problem? A signal that keeps these meters running is getting switched off.
These old RTS meters have been around since the 1980s. They use radio signals from the BBC to switch between peak and off-peak rates. But guess what? The equipment that sends out these signals is pretty much outdated and will be turned off on June 30. The energy folks are pushing for everyone to switch to smart meters instead.
According to Energy UK, there are around 900,000 homes still using these meters, with 165,000 of them in Scotland. Alasdair Allan, the SNP climate action minister, has reached out to the UK energy consumer minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh, asking for some quick action to help these consumers get new meters.
Dr. Allan pointed out that if these old meters aren’t replaced by the deadline, people could end up stuck on a more expensive single-rate tariff. Plus, they might not be able to rely on their heating and hot water systems to work properly, which is a big deal.
He also mentioned that if anyone has questions, they should definitely reach out to their energy supplier. There’s also free advice available from places like Advice Direct Scotland or Citizens Advice Scotland.
Interestingly, while Scotland has about 10% of the UK’s households, it holds around 25% of the RTS meters. Some rural areas are still struggling to get smart meters set up.
The BBC doesn’t own the RTS, but it does help broadcast the signal. A spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said they’re working with Ofgem and energy suppliers to make sure the transition to new meters goes smoothly.
They also mentioned that there are now 37 million smart and advanced meters in homes across Great Britain, which is about 65% of all gas and electricity meters. These smart meters are supposed to help people manage their energy better and save some cash on their bills.
For those still using RTS meters, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your supplier ASAP to sort out alternatives.
