Complex meter: Refused Economy 7?

Hey ​@Koolqat,

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is being switched off because the underlying technology and infrastructure are reaching the end of their operational life. This means the equipment that sends the radio signal to switch between peak and off-peak electricity rates can no longer be adequately maintained.

https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/customers/the-radio-teleswitch-service-switch-off-what-you-need-to-know/
 

What is the Radio Teleswitch Service, and what is it used for?
 

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) uses a radio signal to tell some older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates. RTS is used for some traditional multi-rate meters and was designed to support those who use electricity for their heating and hot water. This may include those who use electric storage systems, panel heaters or immersion heaters in water tanks – some of which typically charge up overnight.

RTS allows energy suppliers to offer different tariff rates; so consumers can make use of cheaper off-peak tariffs to charge their heating and/or hot water systems up overnight.

RTS was introduced in the 1980s, and is now reaching the end of its natural operational life. This means the equipment that produces the radio signal can’t be adequately maintained anymore.

There are plans where customers are charged cheaper rates for using energy during off peak times like economy 7 & economy 10. There are also grid balancing schemes like power move & power move flex. Find out more here:
 

Hi Emmaunuelle_OVO

Thank you for all the information.

I am well aware of the RTS switch off. I am really keen to get my system upgraded and according to all the guidelines I have read they say that my supplier “should offer a tariff that is suitable for the hot water and/or heating set-up in your home.”

Unfortunately I am not being offered a similar tariff to my existing tariff and what ever way I go is going to result in higher electricity bills and probably rewiring costs to keep my heating functioning.

This is in the main a modern all electric property and all I am asking for is power to be supplied as it has been for the past 25 years. I don’t understand why installing a smart metering system prevents power being provided as previously.

Note that the Ofgem statement is actually

move households with a Radio Teleswitch meter to a smart meter onto a suitable tariff that reflects their usage patterns or another smart tariff of their choice

 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-advice-households/replacing-your-radio-teleswitch-electricity-meter

it only says “suitable tariff”, it does not say “similar tariff”.

Yes the current tariffs will in a lot of cases result in higher running costs than your previous “special” tariff.

(Some of that higher cost can be mitigated, by changing heater types, or rewiring existing heater timers, or even just changing how you use your heaters).

What you are being offered are the common tariffs that have been being offered to most UK users for years. (E7, E9, and E10).

If you look at it that way then you have been enjoying a cheaper tariff rate than most consumers in the UK for a number of years now, unfotunately that bonus of a special cheaper rate that you have had the benefit of has now come to an end with the end of RTS.

I realise that's not what you want to hear.

However it is what it is and your tariff is being brought into line with the tariff rates that general consumers in the UK have had to pay for years now.