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SteveUK
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October 6, 2023
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When will RTS meters stop working?

  • October 6, 2023
  • 48 replies
  • 4107 views

The Radio teleswitch (RTS) shutdown FAQ seems to say that the RTS meters may stop working at the end of 2023 (which is now less than 3 months away).  Is this correct or has the date been extended?  We have an RTS meter and are on the Superdeal tariff but have had no communication from OVO about this or what is happening.  Should I be worried?

Best answer by BPLightlog

Updated on 131/03/25 by Ben_OVO

 

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.

 

After a very successful pilot, from the 17th of June 2024 we began writing to our Economy 10 RTS customers to invite them to call us to arrange for their meter exchange. 

 

We are continuing to work at pace to enable the same solution for the majority of our other RTS customers.

 

We will continue to update you on our progress.

Hi @SteveUK , as far as I’m aware the deadline hasn’t moved but it’s the signal that’s being decommissioned so if they’ve not changed your meters by then, they would continue to operate just without the signal. 
Here’s a thread on the subject 

 

48 replies

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S
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SteveUKAuthor
Rank 5
October 18, 2023

Do you have the contact details for the relevant team?

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
October 18, 2023

IIRC you can be connected to them if you call 0330 303 5063 and request it.

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Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
October 19, 2023

Hey @SteveUK,

 

Blastoise is right, it would depend on individual circumstances. I imagine most customers would be moved onto an Economy 7 Tariff. 

 

I did some research but couldn’t find anything online about RTS interfering with Solar battery. If you find out, would be brilliant if you popped back to this topic to update us! 

 

I’ve added a badge to your account for having solar! 🌕

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
    S
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    SteveUKAuthor
    Rank 5
    October 19, 2023

    Hi Emmanuelle

     

    I hope something better than Economy 7 is on offer.  Superdeal or Economy 10 are MUCH better for those of us with storage heaters as they provide a top up in the afternoon.  Even with modern, well-insulated storage heaters it is better to have a top up in the afternoon to ensure they are hot and functioning well during the evening.  OVO should be promoting electric heating and so providing a tariff that works best for this type of heating.  Another option would be an ‘intelligent’ tariff which provides some charge to storage heaters (and batteries) when the demand (and price) is low. - again, this is likely to provide some charge in the afternoon.  Will smart meters provide this function?  Although we have a battery to store cheaper rate electricity during the winter, this is only sufficient to power normal household use.  It’s not practical (or cost-effective) to use batteries to store the much higher number of kwh required to heat a large number of storage heaters (we have 10 or more).

      M
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      Maureen D
      Rank 2
      October 19, 2023

      Another on a THTC set up who feels Economy 7 wouldn’t quite cut it.  My hot water is also switched on and off at least twice per day at the moment.  It would be no good just being able to heat your water for 7 hours overnight.  I hope all this will be thoroughly looked in to and a suitable tariff with timings that work for those of us that are currently perfectly happy with our set up.

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        October 19, 2023

        Smart THTC might be an option in some cases - OVO might offer it to you if the Electric Heating Team feels it’s appropriate once it’s ready.

        However, you must be prepared for change - there’s no guarantee that whatever tariff you currently have will still be around in the future.

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          S
          Rank 5
          SteveUKAuthor
          Rank 5
          October 19, 2023

          I agree with Maureen, our hot water can be used up by morning showers so a boost in the afternoon means we still have hot water in the evening.  We have been on Superdeal for over 30 years and our heating system was designed around this tariff (with the help of SSE experts).  Any change in tariff should be an improvement not a backward step that would leave many of us with an inadequate set up (or being forced to use more expensive rate electricity).  There is a great drive to shift loads away from the peak times and those of us with storage heaters, immersion heaters and batteries are well positioned to help with this - but only if we are provided with suitable tariffs.  This is all common sense but the replies we’re getting are worrying.

            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            October 19, 2023

            I agree with Maureen, our hot water can be used up by morning showers so a boost in the afternoon means we still have hot water in the evening.  We have been on Superdeal for over 30 years and our heating system was designed around this tariff (with the help of SSE experts).  Any change in tariff should be an improvement not a backward step that would leave many of us with an inadequate set up (or being forced to use more expensive rate electricity).  There is a great drive to shift loads away from the peak times and those of us with storage heaters, immersion heaters and batteries are well positioned to help with this - but only if we are provided with suitable tariffs.  This is all common sense but the replies we’re getting are worrying.

            Simply out of curiosity how would the Octopus Cosy tarrif work for you? Would it work out very expensive? 

            https://octopus.energy/smart/cosy-octopus/

            It was designed for heat pumps but has a low cost afternoon slot. 

            S
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            SteveUKAuthor
            Rank 5
            October 19, 2023

            Jeffus

            Yes, I thought that but they say its only for heat pumps which is a shame.

             

            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            October 19, 2023

            Hi Emmanuelle

             

            I hope something better than Economy 7 is on offer.  Superdeal or Economy 10 are MUCH better for those of us with storage heaters as they provide a top up in the afternoon.  Even with modern, well-insulated storage heaters it is better to have a top up in the afternoon to ensure they are hot and functioning well during the evening.  OVO should be promoting electric heating and so providing a tariff that works best for this type of heating.  Another option would be an ‘intelligent’ tariff which provides some charge to storage heaters (and batteries) when the demand (and price) is low. - again, this is likely to provide some charge in the afternoon.  Will smart meters provide this function?  Although we have a battery to store cheaper rate electricity during the winter, this is only sufficient to power normal household use.  It’s not practical (or cost-effective) to use batteries to store the much higher number of kwh required to heat a large number of storage heaters (we have 10 or more).

            There was some work on intelligent charging of storage heaters but I don't think it progressed to a full blown solution. Others may know. 

            https://company.ovo.com/ovo-and-glen-dimplex-heating-ventilation-announce-partnership-to-drive-the-decarbonisation-of-heating/

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