The rollout from old RTS (residential time-of-use) meters to smart meters has been notoriously delayed. This has flagged up serious concerns for over 300,000 households across the UK. RTS meters first appeared during the 1980s. They were specifically meant for homes that powered their heating (and hot water, too) with electricity. The switch-off of these meters, set for June 30, has been deemed unfeasible as many customers face connectivity issues and challenges with technology integration.
Energy suppliers were given a deadline of the end of June 2009 to get customers transitioned from RTS meters. Millions of households are facing challenges in identifying an adequate replacement. Others have even been informed that their homes do not have the required connectivity to install smart meters.
Bryan Jones, a resident of Redruth in Cornwall, described his experience with the transition process. To start, he had issues with the installation of his smart meter, which misconfigured to charge everything at daytime rates.
“Initially my smart meter was set up incorrectly to charge all units at day rates,” – Bryan Jones.
Even after this mistake was fixed, Jones continued to run into problems as the modified smart meter didn’t work properly. He noted that a recent review of his electricity usage revealed discrepancies in how his units were charged.
“A recent review of my electricity usage between January and April 2025 has revealed that a third of my night units have been charged as day units, due to the smart meter overriding my heater settings,” – Bryan Jones.
Worries about the transition go far beyond personal anecdotes. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said without a clear plan we are without hope. He called for a clear strategy to lead the gradual switch-off. He insists on the importance of ensuring that no customers are left without heating or hot water as a result of these changes.
“We’ve now need to see a plan published that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when,” – Simon Francis.
Yet he underscored the importance of binding reassurances. This will ensure that no household pays more in their energy bills due to the transition.
“Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes,” – Simon Francis.
Charlotte Friel, director for retail pricing and systems at Ofgem. She understood the real, technical challenges that average households will face in this transition. She highlighted the value of customer interaction with suppliers at metering replacement visits. It’s very important for all consumers to get engaged and involved in this process.
“It’s vital to engage with your supplier when offered an appointment,” – Charlotte Friel.
In response to these challenges Energy UK stated it was possible now to have a technical solution for each and every home. They explained that energy suppliers are on pace to replace meters at a rate of 1,800 per day. On a future basis, Ofgem has shown a keen interest in seeing this work advance even more quickly.
The first step of the meter replacement process is a trial run with up to 600 households during a three-week period. Without this multi-faceted scope, we are left to wonder how this transition can be more effectively managed on a larger scale.
Even with energy suppliers promising a range of tariffs on offer after an upgrade, suspicion lives among consumers. To their credit, Ofgem has required suppliers to provide the same or similar tariffs once their RTS meter has been replaced.
Jones cautioned those thinking about making the move to smart meters to tread carefully.
“My advice to anyone with storage heaters contemplating a change to a smart meter would be: don’t,” – Bryan Jones.
With the deadline here, it’s easy to see that a lot of households are still left hanging in uncertainty about their energy metering options. The important issues surrounding smart meter installations are problematic for winter heating and expenses. These complexities further complicate the transition from RTS meters.