When will RTS meters stop working?

If it was for your situation would the costs  work? OVO have shown some flexibility with their tariff in the past. I know people without EVs on their old Go tariff for example 

Jeffus, yes, good idea, I’ll see if I can persuade them.

What I’m not clear about is who pays for installation of the new meter and all the rewiring of the consumer units and installation of timers etc that will be necessary.  Also not helped by the fact that we have a 2-phase supply due to the total load of our storage heaters so its not a straight forward set up.

I suspect you are better off waiting to see what ovo are going to do with your meters, then potentially shop around for tarrif if ovo are not competitive. That was my main thought with the cosy tariff. 

Especially as you have the added complication of a 2 phase supply.

Out of curiosity what are the grants like for heat pumps in Scotland. Is this something you have ever considered.

Yes, I agree it makes sense to see what OVO come up with first (although if its still in development that doesn’t provide much confidence that it will be ready - and installed - by 31/12/23!).

Not sure why you think we are in Scotland - we’re in deepest Oxfordshire.  A heat pump would not be suitable for us as 1) we have a poorly insulated Grade 2 stone farmhouse built in the 1700s and 2) it would be very difficult (and undesirable) to install pipework without damaging the floors, walls etc.  This is why we opted for storage heaters 30+ years ago (which have served us well).  The gentle, continuous heat is also much better for the fabric of the  house rather than the more rapid changes of temperature that radiators would provide.

Have you looked at this?

https://www.current-news.co.uk/centrica-and-glen-dimplex-to-trial-storage-heaters-in-vpp/

https://www.centrica.com/media-centre/news/2023/british-gas-launches-dimplex-quantum-tariff-the-smart-tariff-that-decarbonises-your-home/

Thanks, that looks interesting.  I’ve attempted to contact British Gas to find out more but need a BG account number to do so.  I made one up but then found there were more than 300 (!) people ahead of me in the queue waiting to speak to someone so gave up.

You’ll never get through to BG that way. :D

They seem to deliberately do that to block the chat.

Hi, My supplier Octypus has told me that negotiations are ongoing to delay the RTS switch off until 2025. Does anyone have anymore information on this. I have THTC and there still does not seem to be a solution as to how the THTC system will work post RTS switch off. Thanks

Hi @ColinRG ,

I’m a forum volunteer here.

Officially, it’s still April 2024 and that’s probably not going to change soon. Ultimately, it’s going to happen sooner or later so it’s not a good idea to rely on it sticking around.

OVO has an Electric Heating Team that can give advice - you can ask to be transferred to them if you call 0330 303 5063. OVO is developing a Smart Meter based solution for THTC. I’ve seen it with my own eyes at their Bristol HQ so I know it’s in development. More details will be available once I’m allowed to share them publicly.

Colin

That’s very interesting.  I thought the end date for RTS was 31/12/23 (as referred to earlier in the topic) - which is why many of us were getting concerned that the cut off was close but no contact from OVO.  If its now April 2024 that gives us all a bit more time (and avoids disruption to heating during the winter).

I look forward to further details when you can release them - and hope that the tariff includes a cheap rate heating period during the afternoon as well as overnight (again as expressed by several  earlier in this topic).  Otherwise, it will be a big step backwards for electric heating.