Octopus Energy has issued a message urging customers to “act now” or face having their electricity or hot water cut off.The major energy supplier is warning UK households with an outdated radio teleswitch meter (RTS) to get an upgrade as soon as possible, as these meters will stop working on June 30, 2025. RTS meters were first introduced in the 1980s and rely on longwave radio signals from the BBC’s RTS meters to switch meters between peak and off-peak tariff rates.

But the equipment which broadcasts the signal is now almost obsolete and is being switched off on June 30, affecting more than 600,000 customers. Households that don’t upgrade their electricity meter face being left without heating or hot water, and may potentially have more expensive energy bills, as the system is deactivated.

Octopus Energy says customers who use electricity for heating and hot water - via electric storage, panel heaters and/or immersion heaters - and have a tariff that offers cheaper rates during off-peak periods, may have an RTS meter. Usually, there will be a large black box next to the meter.

The energy supplier is fast-tracking upgrades for its customers - covering nearly a quarter of affected households - and deploying additional engineers to ensure households can switch to a smart meter before the deadline.

Aside from keeping the heating and hot water on, Octopus Energy says switching to a smart meter can bring a myriad of benefits including better overviews of energy usage, access to smart tariffs and the opportunity to take part in free-energy periods when the grid has lots of green energy.

John Szymik, CEO of Octopus Energy Services, said: “Octopus has boosted its service capability to offer fast-tracked assistance and ensure that no one is left without heating. We urge all affected customers, of any supplier, to book their meter exchange now to ensure a smooth transition.”

Smart meters are important for the energy transition and unlock the power of smart tariffs, while also giving customers more control and oversight over their energy consumption and costs.

Octopus Energy is also offering all RTS customers who opt for the switch a free Octopus Home Mini, a device which securely connects to a customer’s smart meter, giving them real-time visibility of how much energy they are using and what costs.

Affected customers who are looking to switch to a smart meter can register their interest on their online Octopus account.