Over the last 6 months I have been carefully following the various Forum threads regarding the (now delayed) RTS shutdown and the consequential loss of the THTC tariff. To date I have had no information directly from SSE (soon to be OVO). When I called the SSE Specialist Heating Team was I assured by someone that my supply is not in jeopardy and that a technical solution is awaited to allow a SMART meter installation, but no timescale was given. Nor was there any acknowledgment that the lack of network coverage in my area (NW Sutherland) had previously precluded fitting a SMART meter anyway.
The main reason for trying to get concrete information revolves around my intention to upgrade my old storage heaters to more energy efficient models which are also controllable remotely. As I understand it the modern heaters work best on Economy 7 or 10 (if available) tariffs which means if I want ultimately to save money, I need to change from the current THTC meter.
Does anyone have any up to date information or is it still a case of wait and hope?
Best answer by Blastoise186
Updated on 09/12/25 by Chris_OVO
That’s right, yes. You’d still get the heaters coming on and off if RTS dies, but it would be at fixed times.
All suppliers will contact customers once a solution is ready and this includes OVO. SSE probably won’t be contacting as many people from here though as the original plan had, as the SSE to OVO Migration is progressing at a fast pace. But either way, both yourself and your neighbours will be kept in the loop
Update on RTS shutdown:
As part of the RTS project development, we are really happy to share with you our progress:
As you may be aware, the RTS signal that instructs some of our meters when to move to the “Off Peak Period” will be closing down soon and we need to arrange for all of our RTS customers to have a meter exchange so they don’t lose any of their meter functionality.
The RTS signal will end for our customers on 30 June 2025. The period between 1 July - 30 September 2025 will then be used to close-down the RTS signal and allow us to manage any unexpected customers impacted.
Since June 2024 we have begun writing to our Economy 10 RTS customers to invite them to call us to arrange for their meter exchange.
I’m afraid it can’t be done by a private electrician - only the supplier can touch the meter. As for going daytime only… That’s not supported on a THTC Meter unfortunately…
You’ve got more time yet - the deadline is September 2025 and the failsafe may still trigger to run things locally on a temporary basis without the control signal.
