BBC expert says people with this box next to meter have to take action or have power cut off

A BBC expert has explained around 600,000 people need to take urgent action or potentially have hot water and heating cut off. Speaking on BBC Breakfast today Ben Boulos explained that people need to take action in the next few months.

The issue has arisen as hundreds of thousands have an old style meter which uses the Radio Teleswitch service. This was for tariffs, which are cheaper at different times of the day, like Economy 7 or Economy 10. The problem is that the equipment is being switched off meaning people’s electrical and gas equipment will stop working.

Mr Boulos said: “Older models of meter like these, in particular, if you’re on a tariff like Economy 7, Economy 10, or others that have different rates at various times of the day, they run using something called the Radio Teleswitch service. It’s a signal that’s broadcast to energy firms, and it allows these meters to switch between peak and off-peak rates or turn your heating or hot water. On and off, but the equipment is old and it’s hard to maintain. So it’s being switched off.”

It was supposed to be turned off 10 months ago but officials realised hundreds of thousands would be cut off - but people only have until June 2025 to get it sorted out. He said: “This was originally meant to happen last March, but that deadline has now been extended to this June. The thing is, there are still 600,000 households and businesses using these old meters, and the message is this: you need to switch before June, or you risk losing your heating and hot water. Your supplier should have been in touch already.

“If not, look out for a box like this next to your meter. This is the radio switch itself.” Charlotte Friel, director for retail pricing and systems for Ofgem said: