Over 300,000 Households Threatened With Power Cuts

Urgent Fix: 300,000+ UK Homes Might Lose Power This Summer

Imagine flipping a switch and, boom, your lights go dark because your RTS meter (Radio Teleswitching System) decides it’s time to retire. That’s the reality for more than three‑hundred‑thousand households across Britain. If you’re one of those unlucky folks, it’s high time you acted.

What’s an RTS Meter and Why It’s Going to Fail?

RTS meters control your hot water and heating. They’re ancient — built in the 80s and 90s.
By 30 June 2025 they’ll be officially obsolete, meaning the engines that keep them running will no longer be supported.
Without an upgrade, your meter may stop working perfectly, leaving you with a raw, unmanned kettle or an off‑heat radiator.

The Replacements (Y, They’re Smart Meters!)

Good news: most RTS upgrades will be smart meters—the same kind of device that can:

Read your energy usage automatically, no manual logs.
Offer a wide range of tariffs tailored to your lifestyle.
Give you a clearer picture of where every penny (and watt) is going.

Think of it as swapping an old hamster wheel for a high‑tech treadmill—it’s faster, smarter, and more economical.

Why the Clock is Ticking FAST

Energy companies admit their replacement velocity is slow, and engineer shortages are tightening the squeeze, particularly in rural areas. That means:

More households could face prolonged disruptions.
Vulnerable families risk losing heating and water with no backup plan.
Urgency has never been higher than it is right now.

What the People and Organizations Are Saying

Ned Hammond, Energy UK’s deputy customer director, told BBC Radio 4’s “You and Yours”: “We’ve ramped up replacements, but we still have a mountain to climb to cover the whole grid by June’s end.”

Simon Francis, coordinator for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, summed it up: “We’re hustling to keep every household afloat, but we can’t wait any longer.”

Action Plan for Householders

Check if your current meters are labeled as RTS.
Contact your energy supplier ASAP to arrange a smart meter upgrade.
Set the deadline for the switch: 1 July 2025.
Reserve a backup plan if the deal falls through—perhaps a portable heater or a manual water bottle.

Don’t let your kettle choose a vacation. Act now to keep the warmth flowing and the bills accurate.