32 Road to Net Zero
Road to Net Zero Feature
An electric shock
David Barrett of EHC discusses the major change coming in June which will aff ect over 900,000 electricity meters in UK homes with night storage heaters, and what this means for landlords.
T
he Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is a nationwide system that has allowed electricity suppliers to remotely control when meters switch between peak and off -peak tariff s. T is has enabled the use of economy
7 tariff s, where electricity is cheaper during the night when demand is lower. However, the RTS infrastructure is now being decommissioned on 30 June
and the service will no longer be available. Meters that currently rely on RTS to access off -peak tariff s will need to be upgraded to smart meters in order to continue benefi ting from cheaper night-time electricity rates. If tenants don’t arrange to have a smart meter installed, they will be stuck
on the more expensive peak electricity tariff 24 hours a day. T is could lead to a signifi cant increase in their heating and hot water costs, especially for those using night storage heaters or off -peak immersion heaters. As a housing provider, this change presents both challenges and opportunities
and you have a responsibility to ensure your tenants have access to aff ordable and reliable heating. T e end of the RTS poses two key challenges that you’ll need to address, as follows:
• Tenant engagement: You’ll need to proactively communicate with your tenants about the upcoming changes and encourage them to have smart meters installed before the RTS service ends. Many tenants may be unaware of the implications, so raising awareness will be key.
• Smart meter availability: Unfortunately, smart meters rely on mobile phone signals to operate, and in some areas, the coverage may be poor. T is could prevent some tenants from being able to have a smart meter installed, leaving them stuck on the more expensive peak tariff .
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MODERNISATION While the end of the RTS presents challenges, it also creates opportunities for housing providers to modernise their tenants’ heating and hot water systems. By being proactive, you can help your tenants avoid higher energy bills and improve the energy effi ciency of your properties. One option is to upgrade night storage heaters to modern heat retention radiators. T ese highly effi cient heaters do not rely on off -peak tariff s, so they
Housing Management & Maintenance February/March 2025
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