Radio Tele-Switch (RTS) meters, which use radio signals to switch the meter from peak to off-peak prices, will stop working properly from 30 June.

Organisations across Scotland’s social housing sector have warned that thousands of tenants will be impacted unless energy suppliers urgently replace meters ahead of the switch-off deadline.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), Blackwood Homes and Care and Wheatley Group were among those to call for greater action from energy companies to replace affected meters.

It comes as figures obtained by BBC Scotland this month revealed there are around 135,000 RTS meters in properties situated throughout Scotland. SFHA has said a significant amount of these properties will be social homes.

Despite the looming deadline, new polling from Changeworks has also revealed that 58% of people in Scotland are unaware of the RTS shutdown - leaving many at risk of being caught out.

Energy suppliers have been writing to customers who may be impacted by the switch-off, encouraging them to book meter replacements.

However, it is feared that the sheer amount of required meter replacements across Scotland and the UK may leave many households without heating or hot water after the deadline passes.

The SFHA said it is working with the energy regulator to raise awareness of the issue and is set to welcome a delegation from Ofgem to a social housing development in Aberdeen later this month.

SFHA chief executive Sally Thomas said: “Time is urgently running out to replace RTS meters across Scotland and prevent thousands of Scotland’s social tenants being left without heating or hot water.

“Energy suppliers need to ramp up the replacement of RTS meters across Scotland, particularly in the most-affected rural areas, otherwise there is a serious risk of plunging thousands more tenants into fuel poverty.

“SFHA has been working constructively with our member housing associations and the energy regulator, Ofgem, to raise awareness of the issue.

“It’s vital that energy companies set out how they plan to clear the backlog of meter replacements and support those who will not have new meters in place by the deadline to ensure no tenant is left behind.”

Wheatley Group chief executive Steven Henderson said: “With just over a month until the switch-off, we are urging energy companies to double their efforts and move even faster to ensure that no social housing tenants are left without heating and hot water.

“This situation is not the fault of the tenants, and they should not have to worry or suffer due to any delays in the installation of new meters.

“It is time for energy providers to step up and take immediate action to identify and install replacement meters in every home before the RTS meters are turned off.”

David Ogilvie, head of housing at Blackwood, added: “Blackwood supports calls from partners across the sector to address the concerns about the potential impact the RTS meter switch-off could have on many vulnerable households who still have just an RTS meter.

“The looming 30 June deadline risks pushing some of the most vulnerable in our communities into fuel poverty. We therefore join SFHA in calling on energy suppliers to act with urgency and transparency in replacing affected meters to avoid disruption and distress.

“As we prepare to host a meeting with Ofgem and sector partners, we hope to help drive forward practical solutions that safeguard tenant wellbeing and energy access.”

Changeworks is also calling on residents to check if they’re affected and get support now to avoid being left without properly working heating or hot water.

It found that just over two in five people in Scotland are aware of the change (42%) and a quarter have expressed concern (26%). According to its poll, people in the Highlands are more likely to have RTS meters than in other parts of Scotland, as rural areas often have less access to gas-based heating.

The RTS controls when some home heating systems switch on and off, and when electricity switches between peak and off-peak pricing, which helps households on electric heating tariffs save money. Those on tariffs such as Total Heat Total Control and Comfort Plus are particularly at risk.

Changeworks is offering free advice and support to help people find out if their meter is affected.

“Many people don’t even realise they’re on a tariff that uses RTS, especially in rural areas where electric storage heating is common,” said Anna Scott, affordable warmth energy advisor at Changeworks. “If people don’t know they’re affected, they won’t take action - and that could leave them with costly and inconvenient energy issues. That’s why we’re urging households to check now and get in touch. We’re here to help.”