RESIDENTS are being urged to check their energy meters to avoid losing their heating or facing higher energy bills.

At the end of June, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), a system that uses radio signals to switch electricity meters between different tariff rates, will stop working.

Energy companies should be contacting affected customers about changing their meter, and East Sussex County Council is encouraging residents to take immediate action when they do.

Cllr Carl Maynard, lead member for adult social care and health, said: “Figures show that more than 10,000 properties in East Sussex have a RTS meter.

“The energy regulator, Ofgem, has told energy companies to contact all those affected and make arrangements for meters to be switched to smart meters before the end of June.  If you have a RTS meter and haven’t been contacted, we would encourage you to call your energy company.

“Not changing your RTS meter is likely to affect your heating and hot water and result in a loss of heating or an increase in energy bills if it gets stuck on, so it’s important to take action.”

Residents may have an RTS meter if;

• their home has a separate switch box near the electricity meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
• their home is heated using electricity or storage heaters
• there is no gas supply to their area (usually households in rural areas and high-rise flats)
• they get cheaper energy at different times of day (Economy 7, Economy 10, or Total Heat Total Control tariffs)

Residents should beware if someone contacts them asking for payment to change a meter as it is likely to be a scam.  Anyone suspecting a scam should contact their energy supplier or Citizens Advice.

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