British Gas alerts consumers about potential significant energy bill increases this summer, cautioning up to thousands of households.
** Brothers and Sisters, Listen Up! 🔥**
Britain's bedroom heaters may soon be gasping for air, as British Gas issues a dire warning to over 12,000 households across the UK. Terry the turbine ain't lying, folks! If you ain't switched your old-school RTS meter by June 30, you could be kissing goodbye to your summer fun and facing hefty electricity bills, or worse, no water or heating.
RTS meters, which date back to the '80s, rely on BBC signals to determine peak and off-peak tariffs for your electricity heating and water systems. With the Broadcasting Corporation's equipment nearly obsolete, it's about to disappear faster than your Netflix account when the cable gets cut.
Government watchdog Ofgem has teamed up with Energy UK to launch a campaign asking households to check if they have an RTS meter – if you spot a switch box near your energy meter labeled 'Radio Teleswitch' or have electric heaters, chances are you do. You'll also notice the problem if you live in a rural area or high-rise flat with no gas supply or if you're on an 'Economy 7', 'Economy 10', or 'Total Heat Total Control' tariff usually offering cheaper energy at different times of day.
Upgrade your RTS meter now, and British Gas will send an engineer to do the switcheroo for free. Other energy providers like Octopus Energy and E.ON Next are also encouraging their RTS users to get a move on. Remember, this upgrade is the difference between having a warm shower and a chilly daydream!
But wait! Here's the kicker – Energy UK's deputy director for customers Ned Hammond says replacing all those ancient RTS meters in time is becoming a real challenge. With only a few months left, we're talking hundreds of thousands of homes that could be left out in the cold (or hot, I guess, since it's summer).
Got an RTS meter at home? Don't let it weigh you down. Follow these simple tips to find out if your home is at risk:
- Check for a switch box near your energy meter labeled 'Radio Teleswitch'.
- See if your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters.
- Check if there's no gas supply to your area, including rural areas and high-rise flats.
- Consider if you get cheaper energy at different times of day.
Don't let this summer heatwave turn into a winter freeze! Book a free appointment for an engineer to upgrade your RTS meter today! Let's avoid an energy crisis before it's too late, folks! 😈💥💡💰🔥
References:[1]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11196745/Millions-warned-lose-heating-hot-water-old-electric-meters-urged-upgrade.html[2]https://www.gov.uk/government/news/300000-households-at-risk-of-losing-heating-and-hot-water[3]https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/radio-teleswitching-system-rtss-upgrade[4]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_teleswitching_system
- To avoid potential electricity bill spikes or even losing heating and hot water this summer, it's crucial to check if your home has an RTS meter – look for a switch box labeled 'Radio Teleswitch' near your existing energy meter.
- If you live in a rural area, high-rise flat with no gas supply, on an 'Economy 7', 'Economy 10', or 'Total Heat Total Control' tariff, or have electric heaters in your home, there's a chance you have an RTS meter and should consider upgrading.
- The upgrade is not just a finances matter, as delaying the replacement of your RTS meter could lead to an energy crisis that might affect hundreds of thousands of homes across the UK.
- Not only will upgrading your RTS meter ensure continuous heating and hot water supply, but it may also help the entire industry transition to more modern, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions in the long run.
