Thousands of properties across Dumfries and Galloway are at risk of losing control of their heating and hot water systems.
The system which tells electricity meters to switch between peak and off-peak rates is due to be switched off at the end of June.
But, with just months to go to the deadline, it has emerged that more than 5,000 properties in Dumfries and Galloway have still to be upgraded from the Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) to smart meters.
They are among more than 165,00 properties across Scotland still relying on RTS, prompting Scotland’s acting Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan to write to the UK Government calling for action.
Dr Allan said: “If RTS equipment isn’t replaced by the switch-off date, not only could households, businesses and public sector organisations be limited to a more expensive single-rate tariff, they may also no longer be able to rely on their heating and hot water switching on and off as expected, with the risk of them staying permanently on or off.
“I have written to the UK Government to record our growing concerns around the RTS switch-off and to highlight that significantly more needs to be done to protect consumers and maintain access to affordable energy.
“I believe that there must, as a matter of urgency, be RTS-related obligations included in Ofgem licence conditions on both suppliers and the Data Communications Company (DCC) that compel both to use every tool available to ensure households and businesses across the country are not left behind.
“If consumers have any questions, I encourage them to contact their supplier in the first instance. Free and impartial advice and support is also available from Advice Direct Scotland or Citizens Advice Scotland.”
People may have an RTS meter if they use electric or storage heaters, use a meter that automatically turns on heating or hot water or switch between peak and off-peak rates – such as Economy 7 or Economy 10.
It was introduced in the 1980s with energy firms offering customers a switch to a smart meter ahead of the signal being switched off at the end of June.
But Scottish Government figures show that at the end of October, 5,782 properties in Dumfries and Galloway still used RTS – the fifth highest among Westminster parliamentary constituencies.
And a further 3,745 properties in the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency still rely on the equipment.
An Ofgem spokesperson said: “While suppliers are upgrading RTS meters at an increasing rate, it is still short of where it needs to be and Ofgem will take every step to hold them to their obligations.
“This is why Ofgem set up a taskforce alongside Energy UK, bringing together suppliers and the wider sector to accelerate progress and solve complex technical barriers posed in certain remote regions.
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“We expect suppliers to consider a range of innovative solutions to ensure their RTS customers get on to a metering and tariff arrangement appropriate for them.
“Ofgem has also demanded action plans from every supplier, which we are currently scrutinising to ensure that robust contingencies are in place to protect any customers who remain on RTS meters after the switch-off date.”
A DESNZ spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Ofgem and energy suppliers to upgrade meters and ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for consumers.
“There are now 37 million smart and advanced meters in homes and small businesses across Great Britain, making up 65-per cent of all gas and electricity meters.
“These are helping to give consumers more control over their energy and save money on their bills.”