Octopus Energy warns UK households could be cut off if they don’t make this important switch
Octopus Energy has asked UK households with outdated electricity meters to take action now or risk being cut off. The energy provider warned that customers still using radio teleswitch meters (RTS) must upgrade before June this year, as these meters will stop functioning.
RTS meters, introduced in the 1980s, use longwave radio signals from the BBC to switch between peak and off-peak tariff rates. However, the equipment that transmits these signals is now nearly obsolete and will be switched off on 30 June, affecting around 600,000 customers.
Households that fail to upgrade risk being left without heating or hot water and could face higher energy bills once the system is deactivated, the Express reports.
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Households that rely on electricity for heating and hot water, such as those using electric storage heaters, panel heaters, or immersion heaters, may have an RTS meter, especially if they are on a tariff offering cheaper off-peak rates. These meters are often identifiable by a large black box next to them.
Octopus Energy is fast-tracking upgrades for its customers, covering nearly a quarter of those affected. The supplier has also deployed additional engineers to ensure as many households as possible can switch to smart meters before the June deadline.
Beyond keeping the heating on, Octopus highlights the benefits of switching to a smart meter, including better energy tracking, access to smart tariffs, and the chance to take advantage of free-energy periods when the grid has an abundance of green energy.
John Szymik, CEO of Octopus Energy Services, said: “Octopus has boosted its service capability to offer fast-tracked assistance and ensure that no one is left without heating. We urge all affected customers, of any supplier, to book their meter exchange now to ensure a smooth transition.”
Smart meters play an important role in the energy transition, enabling smart tariffs while giving customers greater control and insight into their energy usage and costs.
Octopus Energy is offering all RTS customers who make the switch a free Octopus Home Mini, a device that securely connects to a smart meter, providing real-time visibility of energy consumption and expenses.
Customers affected by the RTS meter switch-off can register their interest in upgrading to a smart meter via their online Octopus account.
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