๐ British Gas Urges Smart Meter Upgrade Before RTS Shutdown
British Gas has issued an urgent warning to customers as a major energy system — the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) — will be switched off from 1 July 2025. If action isn't taken soon, up to 300,000 UK homes could lose access to hot water and heating.
๐ What Is the RTS System and Why Is It Ending?
RTS is a decades-old system used to control heating and hot water in homes with electric-only setups and Economy 7 or 10 tariffs. It works by sending radio signals to activate off-peak electricity.
However, the system is now outdated and will be permanently shut down on 1 July, affecting around 430,000 homes across the UK.
๐จ Who Is at Risk?
If your home uses:
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Electric heating
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Economy 7 or 10 tariff
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A dual-rate meter with “RTS” on the display
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Remote or timed heating controlled by your supplier
๐ You may lose heating or hot water unless you upgrade to a smart meter.
๐ข What British Gas Says
British Gas is contacting affected customers directly and urging them to book a free smart meter upgrade immediately.
“We want to make sure no one is left without hot water or heating. If you're unsure whether you're affected, contact us today,” said a British Gas spokesperson.
โ Steps You Should Take Now
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๐ Contact British Gas or your supplier to check your meter type
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๐งฐ Schedule a smart meter installation
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๐ Don’t wait — upgrades may take time due to high demand
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๐ก Ask questions about tariffs or installation if you’re unsure
๐ Is the Upgrade Free?
Yes. British Gas, along with most UK suppliers, offers free smart meter upgrades under the national rollout program.
๐ฑ Why Smart Meters Are Better
Aside from avoiding service disruption, smart meters offer:
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๐ฑ Real-time usage updates
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๐ Lower energy bills through better tracking
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๐ Support for a cleaner energy grid
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๐ค Automatic meter readings, no manual checks
๐ RTS Shut-Off: Key Date to Remember
๐ RTS system ends on 1 July 2025
After this, any home still using an RTS-controlled meter may stop receiving hot water or heating automatically.