David Bateman, a retired schoolteacher from Edinburgh, has tried five times to get an obsolete Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meter swapped for a smart device at the flat he rents out.

After a string of cancellations, he has now been offered a new appointment for July 28, which is almost a month after the June 30 cut off for the RTS signal.

David spoke out as part of Advice Direct Scotland’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the looming deadline, with just six weeks to go until the shutdown.

The charity, which runs the national energy advice service energyadvice.scot, is urging households to check their meters and call their energy suppliers if they think they need a replacement, rather than waiting to be contacted.

David’s tenants are among thousands across Scotland still using RTS meters and risk losing heating or hot water if they are not replaced in time. David, 80, said: “Incompetence doesn’t even begin to describe what is going on here. It’s getting to the stage where I’m beginning to lose count of how many times I’ve tried and failed to get a smart meter installed.

“My tenants have been inconvenienced again and again. They’re told the installation is going ahead and that the power will go off, then it doesn’t happen. I feel like I’m being treated like a fool.”

David’s latest appointment, originally scheduled for May 6, was cancelled without explanation and moved to late July, well after the deadline. He said his supplier has been difficult to contact throughout.

The most recent UK Government figures show around 139,000 RTS meters were still in use across Scotland as of March 7, including more than 47,000 in the Highlands and Islands. By the end of April, 135,000 meters remained, suggesting the rate of replacement is not keeping up.

RTS meters, introduced in the 1980s, use outdated longwave radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. Without replacement, customers risk being stuck on the wrong setting or moved onto a more expensive single-rate tariff.

Advice Direct Scotland is running a countdown clock on its energyadvice.scot website to raise awareness amid concerns that replacements are not happening quickly enough. With the cut-off approaching, the charity has seen a rise in calls from worried households, a trend it expects to continue.

Anyone who has not received a letter or email should contact their supplier now. Support is available at energyadvice.scot or by calling 0808 196 8660.

David added: “Things need to change. This is beyond ridiculous. I’ve now been given yet another date, and it’s actually after the switch-off. It’s incredible. I have no idea why this is proving to be so difficult. The whole thing’s been made worse by how hard it is to get hold of the supplier.”

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, commented: “With just six weeks to go, David’s experience highlights the real struggles many face trying to replace outdated RTS meters before the deadline.

“His repeated cancellations and delays show that the system isn’t working as it should, putting thousands at risk of losing heating or hot water. Anyone who thinks they might be affected should act now and contact their supplier.

“If you don’t take action and are still relying on an RTS meter after June 30, you risk having unreliable heating and hot water, as well as incorrect bills. The replacement rate simply isn’t fast enough and must urgently speed up. We’re seeing more calls from worried households every day. If you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if vulnerable, encourage them to act.

“Free advice is available at energyadvice.scot or by calling 0808 196 8660.”