More than 300,000 households risk losing access to hot water and facing soaring energy bills as a vital signal controlling an old meter is to be switched off.
Experts have warned that vulnerable families could be left without working heating systems unless urgent action is taken before the shutdown this summer.
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has warned of a "looming crisis" as the replacement programme for the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters ends on June 30.
Affected households are urged to contact their energy suppliers immediately to arrange free smart meter upgrades and avoid potential service disruptions and higher bills.
The situation has reached a critical point with 430,000 households still using RTS meters as of late March 2025, according to Energy UK.
Engineers are currently managing only 1,000 installations per day, a pace that experts warn is insufficient to meet the looming deadline.
The phasing out of RTS meters is part of a broader modernisation effort in the UK's energy infrastructureGETTYThis implies that over 300,000 households could be left with a meter which does not work from July 1.
Ofgem says that the risks associated with not having a functioning meter include:
- your heating and hot water may be left continually on or off
- your electric storage heaters may charge at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills
- your supplier may be unable to confirm your electricity usage during peak or off-peak times
- your electricity costs may be higher than before
- you’ll have a more limited choice of tariffs
Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: "There is a very real risk that over 300,000 households will find their RTS meter stops working properly come 1 July 2025.
"With pressures on the replacement programme growing and with limited engineer availability, especially in rural areas, there's a real risk of prolonged disruption, particularly for vulnerable households."
Over 300,000 households will find their RTS meter stops working properly come July 1
PAFrazer Scott, Chief Executive of Energy Action Scotland, warned that consumers are being left in the dark by a Government and energy industry failing to deliver on promises.
He said firms making significant profits still risk leaving vulnerable customers without heating, hot water, or facing spiralling costs within weeks.
Scott added that the impact of failure on the health and wellbeing of households across Scotland "doesn’t bear thinking about."
Households with an RTS meter are being urged to contact their supplier immediately to arrange a free replacement, usually with a smart meter, to avoid disruption.
Smart meters can automatically adjust switching times based on tariffs, offering greater flexibility.
Without one, switching times are fixed manually, which could force some customers to change tariffs and face higher bills.
Those who do not switch could lose the heating and/or hot water GETTY Energy experts warn that if anyone claims there is a cost to change the meter, it is likely a scam.
Smart meters offer several benefits, including automatic adjustments for switching circuits on and off based on the customer's tariff.
They also provide more accurate energy bills, improved energy management, and access to money-saving initiatives.
If a supplier is unable or unwilling to replace an RTS meter before the shutdown deadline, affected customers are advised to lodge a formal complaint.
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition is calling for urgent action from the government, regulators and energy firms to tackle the RTS meter crisis.
It is demanding faster efforts to replace meters and contingency plans for those who miss the deadline.
Suppliers are also being urged to guarantee fair metering and billing once the system is shut down. With the June 30 deadline approaching, vulnerable households risk serious disruption.
Consumers who have not been contacted are advised to reach out to their supplier immediately. No extension to the deadline is currently planned.
