Will Economy 7 Be Phased Out in 2025?


Important Update for UK Businesses on Off-Peak Energy Tariffs

If your company relies on off-peak electricity tariffs, such as Economy 7, now’s the time to prepare for a major change coming in June 2025. Businesses across the UK—whether in city centres or regional areas—must be ready for the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) shutdown that could impact their heating, billing, and overall energy strategy.

Whether you're comparing the best electric prices for business or trying to lock in the cheapest business gas, understanding this change is key to keeping your operations running smoothly.

What’s Changing?

Economy 7 tariffs use a legacy technology known as Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS).This process delivers radio signals to the older meters to switch between day and night shifts.It’s especially common in businesses using storage heaters, electric water tanks, or running machinery outside typical working hours.

But by 30 June 2025, RTS signals will be permanently phased out. Without an upgrade, businesses could see inaccurate switching or, worse, be charged standard rates during what should be low-cost night hours.

Is Economy 7 Going Away?

Not entirely. The tariff remains, but it will only work with a smart meter. Any business relying on RTS will need to upgrade to continue benefiting from time-of-use pricing. If you haven’t heard from your supplier yet, it’s worth reaching out now—especially if you’ve been searching for business electricity deals near me.

Why It Matters for Businesses

If your business fails to upgrade in time, you may face:

  • Higher energy bills due to incorrect time switching
  • Disrupted heating or operations, particularly in hospitality, care homes, and retail
  • Limited access to flexible tariffs designed for off-peak use

These issues can affect both electricity and gas users. If you're looking for cheapest business gas or efficient dual fuel contracts, this change impacts both sides of your energy use.

Steps to Take Now

  • Check Your Meter Type : You should look for a label like “Radio Teleswitch or confirm with suppliers.. Businesses still using traditional meters will need to upgrade.
  • Book a Smart Meter Installation : Suppliers need to be required to offer smart meters without any cost . This opens the door to bespoke business electricity price plans, tailored to your usage.
  • Review Your Current Tariff : With a smart meter, you can access business electricity deals that better reflect your real-time use—including EV charging rates, seasonal time-of-use deals, and more.
  • Compare the Market : Use trusted platforms or brokers to assess the commercial cost of electricity in your region. Getting quotes based on your business profile ensures the best fit.

Business Impact Across the UK

Whether you're operating in Leeds, Liverpool, London or a village in Cumbria, this shift will affect you. Business owners often search for “business energy rates” or “commercial electricity prices near me”—but now the underlying technology powering those rates is changing.

Final Thoughts

The RTS switch-off isn't just a technical update—it’s a major shift in how businesses will access affordable, flexible energy. If you rely on best electric prices for business or tailor your consumption to off-peak hours, a smart meter is now essential.
Failing to act could result in increased costs, unreliable billing, and limited access to bespoke business energy deals in the future.

TL;DR for UK Businesses

  • RTS meters stop functioning properly from 30 June 2025
  • Smart meters are required to keep using Economy 7 or similar tariffs
  • The commercial cost of electricity may increase if you don’t switch
  • You should act now to get access to the cheapest business gas and best off-pek deals.

📞 Ready to compare business electricity deals or upgrade your meter? Reach out to the UtilityFix team at marketing@utilityfix.co.uk — we offer no-obligation advice and support for businesses nationwide.