Moray-based AES Solar and renewable heating systems specialists Black Isle Renewables are calling for energy customers living in rural areas of the Highlands and Moray to take action and upgrade their meters before the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is shut down on June 30th. Black Isle Renewables, which was acquired by AES Solar in August 2024, has also found that the impending shutdown is prompting households to reconsider their heating options.
RTS was first introduced in the late 1980s, allowing both domestic and business customers to benefit from tariffs that alternate between peak and off-peak rates. These customers often rely on electricity for heating and hot water, meaning devices such as storage heaters can charge up overnight at a lower cost.
As the switch-off draws closer, Darren McDowall, Sales & Design Manager at Dingwall-based Black Isle Renewables, is urging customers who currently use the RTS service to accept the offer of a meter upgrade from their energy supplier, or risk facing higher bills. Jamie Di Sotto, Commercial Director at AES Solar has also expressed concern over the impact the shutdown is likely to have on rural homes, most of which are off the gas grid, or operate solely on storage heaters, leaving homeowners who have resisted getting a smart meter installed with little option but to switch.
Recent fuel poverty figures published by the Scottish Government identified remote rural areas of Scotland as having a higher rate of fuel poverty compared to urban areas1. Smart meters fail to work in large parts of the country due to signal issues and so ignoring the impending deadline could result in heating and hot water being left on or off, or a storage heater charging up at the wrong time of day, leading to higher bills.
Jamie Di Sotto, Commercial Director at AES Solar, said:
“RTS meters are often used with older electric heating systems, which are more common in areas facing extreme fuel poverty. In towns like Burghead, for example, which is off the gas mains, many households have electric storage heaters and are in fuel poverty, meaning the impact on one small town could be huge.”
“The recent announcement about the rise in energy costs reinforces the importance of long-term, sustainable solutions that can help households better manage their expenses. Energy prices can be unpredictable, making it increasingly valuable to explore alternatives that offer more stability and control.”
Darren McDowall, Sales & Design Manager at Black Isle Renewables, said:
“The switch-off could increase costs for households that are already struggling, potentially leaving them without control over their heating and hot water. In the worst-case scenario, some may find themselves unable to use either at all. It is therefore essential for anyone with a RTS meter to urgently reach out to their supplier to arrange for a meter replacement. By contacting their supplier now, customers can reduce disruption and ensure a seamless transition to a new meter, meaning they can continue to enjoy the benefits they currently get from RTS.
“The shutdown is prompting many to reconsider their heating options. For households relying on these older systems, the loss of RTS means they need to look for alternative ways to control and manage their heating. Heat pumps are a popular alternative as they are energy efficient and can be integrated with smart control systems, providing more flexibility and the potential to save money on bills by using smart tariffs with cheaper off-peak rates.”
