Economy 7 and ending of RTS (Radio Teleswitch Service)

SWAMP_MAN

I currently have a digital Economy 7 meter.
My energy supplier (Shell) make the following statement on their website.
"In March 2023 RTS meters will lose their functionality. This is because the radio teleswitch that controls the meters will be switched off. This may affect some homes where the electrical circuits may not switch on electric heating systems once the service is turned off. It may also affect the meter's ability to record usage correctly against the peak and off peak rate."
The electrical circuits controlled by RTS do not apply to me. As you can see they say it MAY affect the meter's ability to correctly read between peak and off peak rates.
I like many others are reluctant to have a smart meter fitted, Shell have even told me that the current meter is coming to the end of its life, it has been in for 13 years and according to the manufacturer it has a lifespan of 20 years!
Are other forum members facing the same situation or aware of RTS being extended beyond March?

[Deleted User]

Ofgem letter to all energy suppliers dated March 2022:

Quote:

Radio Tele Switch

Currently the technology which operates the Radio Tele Switch meters (RTS) is scheduled to be switched off in March 2023. We are aware many suppliers already have a suitable meter in place for these customers, however we are also aware of some wider issues. We fully expect all of industry to be proactively working towards solutions to any potential barriers so that consumers are not left exposed to any potential detriment.

Energy suppliers are obligated to ensure all customers have appropriate metering arrangements in place and suppliers should be working hard to ensure all customers with traditional RTS meters are offered a smart meter prior to the switch off. If a workable industry solution cannot be reached in a timely manner prior to the cut-off date, then we would expect mitigating arrangements be prepared and implemented well in advance of this date.

Unquote

A supplier has a legal right to fit a smart meter if IT deems the meter in place to be end-of-life. It is not just a question of certification, it could be the ability to support the meter. If you decline your supplier’s RTS fix, then you may be left struggling with a single rate tariff.

dunstonh

I have a digital meter with no circuit switching.  Everything is done on timers.   So, not an issue for me, but I had heard about this.

macman

Given that smart meter penetration is still barely at 50%, logic dictates that half the installed base of RTS E7 meters are still in use, and I can't see that situation changing much in the next 6 months, whatever Ofgem might pontificate. What 'mitigating arrangements' are they actually suggesting?

EssexHebridean

I'll be watching this one with interest as I think it may affect things for us. We have a digital E7 meter with separate circuits for the main electrics and the "overnight only" stuff. Currently wary of getting a smart  meter as being with a smaller supplier, the risk of them going pop and us being SOLR'd to British Gas is always a concern... 

macman

Why would a change of supplier affect your smart metering? A new meter would be SMETS2 and should work with any change of supplier.
By a 'digital'meter, do you mean an RTS meter, or a conventional clockwork meter?

MWT

macman said:

Why would a change of supplier affect your smart metering? A new meter would be SMETS2 and should work with any change of supplier.
By a 'digital'meter, do you mean an RTS meter, or a conventional clockwork meter?

The problem is specifically with British Gas, for some reason they remain incapable of handling a E7 smart meter...

Causes a lot of problems every time someone with an E7 smart meter gets transferred there via a SoLR process...

EssexHebridean

MWT said:

macman said:

Why would a change of supplier affect your smart metering? A new meter would be SMETS2 and should work with any change of supplier.
By a 'digital'meter, do you mean an RTS meter, or a conventional clockwork meter?

The problem is specifically with British Gas, for some reason they remain incapable of handling a E7 smart meter...

Causes a lot of problems every time someone with an E7 smart meter gets transferred there via a SoLR process...

Yep - exactly this. It's a reasonably well known issue on here, although not out in the wide world I suspect! Hence our concerns - if GE did fail and BG were appointed the SOLR it would be hassle we wouldn't need, I'd sooner be cautious unless we reach the point where the meter has to be replaced. 

macman said:

Why would a change of supplier affect your smart metering? A new meter would be SMETS2 and should work with any change of supplier.
By a 'digital'meter, do you mean an RTS meter, or a conventional clockwork meter?

I've realised now I'm doing more looking into it that I don't know, although I believe there should be something on the meter itself that makes it clear. I originally (and erroneously) assumed that it would just be remaining older style anologue meters that would be affected by this change until I saw something that  made it very clear that wasn't the case! I'm investigate further.
 
(And see above re the metering issue and BG - I'm far from being a Smart Meter avoider and I'm well aware that SMETS2 meters transfer happily enough in normal circumstances - if we were already with one of the "big" suppliers then I'd have gone that route already, but I'm quite frankly not willing to take the risk currently unless I have to!)

QrizB

EssexHebridean said:

macman said:

Why would a change of supplier affect your smart metering? A new meter would be SMETS2 and should work with any change of supplier.
By a 'digital'meter, do you mean an RTS meter, or a conventional clockwork meter?

I've realised now I'm doing more looking into it that I don't know, although I believe there should be something on the meter itself that makes it clear.

Post a photo of your meter and any associated wiring leading to your consumer unit(s) and we can tell you

davew62

dunstonh said:

I have a digital meter with no circuit switching.  Everything is done on timers.   So, not an issue for me, but I had heard about this.

How do you know when your off-peak supply is so that you can set your timers?

macman

davew62 said:

dunstonh said:

I have a digital meter with no circuit switching.  Everything is done on timers.   So, not an issue for me, but I had heard about this.

How do you know when your off-peak supply is so that you can set your timers?

It varies by DNO, there is a list somewhere that I'm sure someone will link to. Typically 12.30pm to 7.30am. with an hour's shift during BST, as the clockwork meter can't compensate for that.
An RTS meter will be 100% accurate, as it switches on receipt of the radio signal.