RTS (Radio Teleswitch Service) boxes are an old technology, introduced in the 1980s, attached to electricity meters in homes with an all-electric supply. Their purpose is to tell the meter when to switch between peak and off-peak and they are a vital part of keeping costs under control for all-electric customers.
At the end of June, all RTS boxes will stop working.
As such it is the responsibility of the utility providers to help their customers with this, by switching them to SMART meters. However, our research has shown that information on the subject is not that easy to find and, although we believe that the utility companies have written to their customers, we know that some people have a mistrust of SMART meters. We know of customers in West Norfolk who have refused to switch for this very reason.
Our concern is that some vulnerable customers will find their bills soaring in June, when their meter will stop differentiating between peak and off-peak, so they will be charged peak prices for all consumption. I am attaching a leaflet to help customers.