Replacing Teleswitches with Time Clocks in Sheltered Housing: Complete Guide
The Radio Teleswitch Service shutdown on 30 June 2026 has left thousands of sheltered housing properties across Greater Manchester without functioning heating controls. Storage heaters that previously charged overnight automatically are now sitting cold because the radio signal they depended on no longer exists.
The solution is a time clock replacement — removing the redundant teleswitch and installing a standalone programmable timer that switches off-peak circuits on a set schedule. This guide covers the technical detail of what is involved, what equipment is used, how the work is carried out, and what sheltered housing managers need to know to get their buildings back to normal.
Quick answer: A qualified electrician removes the dead teleswitch and fits a DIN-rail programmable time clock (typical models: Grasslin Talento, Theben TR, Hager EH series) programmed to your tariff's off-peak hours. Individual flats take 1–2 hours each; a communal system serving a whole sheltered block can be restored in a single half-day visit. A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate is issued on completion.
Understanding the Existing Teleswitch Installation
Before any replacement work, it helps to understand what is currently installed and how it works.
What a Teleswitch Looks Like
A teleswitch is typically a small rectangular unit (approximately 120mm x 80mm x 40mm) mounted on or near the consumer unit, meter board or distribution board. Common manufacturers include Landis & Gyr, Sangamo and Horstmann. The unit usually has:
- A small LCD display or indicator LED
- A label reading "Radio Teleswitch" or "RTS"
- Connections to the meter tails or a contactor
- An internal radio antenna (sometimes a separate wire antenna)
How the Teleswitch Controlled Heating
The teleswitch received a coded radio signal from the BBC Radio 4 longwave transmitter at Droitwich. This signal instructed the teleswitch to operate a contactor or changeover switch at specific times. The contactor controlled the off-peak circuit — when closed, the off-peak circuit was live and storage heaters would charge. When open, the circuit was dead and heaters would not draw power.
For Economy 7 tariffs, the typical pattern was:
- Off-peak ON: 11:00 PM to 12:30 AM (varied by region and supplier)
- Off-peak OFF: 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM
- Overnight: 12:00 AM to 7:00 AM (7 hours)
- Afternoon: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (3 hours, varied)
Common Installation Configurations
In sheltered housing, we encounter several common configurations:
Individual teleswitch per flat — Each dwelling has its own teleswitch controlling its own off-peak circuit. Replacement involves visiting each flat individually.
Communal teleswitch serving multiple flats — A single teleswitch in a communal electrical cupboard controls a contactor or set of contactors that switch the off-peak supply to multiple dwellings simultaneously. Replacement is centralised.
Teleswitch integrated with meter — Some older Economy 7 meters have the teleswitch function built in. These require meter replacement by the energy supplier rather than a simple time clock swap.
Teleswitch controlling communal heating — In some schemes, the teleswitch controls communal storage heaters in corridors, lounges or other shared areas, separate from individual flat heating.
The Replacement Process
Before and after: the teleswitch is removed and a DIN-rail time clock takes over the switching
Step 1: Survey and Assessment
Before starting work, a qualified electrician surveys the existing installation to determine the teleswitch location and type, the number of circuits controlled, the contactor arrangement (if applicable), the condition of existing wiring and protection devices, whether the consumer unit or distribution board needs any remedial work, and the correct off-peak times for the property's electricity tariff.
For sheltered schemes with multiple blocks or configurations, a full survey ensures the correct equipment is specified and the work is planned efficiently.
Step 2: Isolate and Remove the Teleswitch
The electrician isolates the relevant circuits and removes the teleswitch unit. In most installations, this is straightforward — the teleswitch is disconnected from its supply and signal connections and physically removed from the board.
If the teleswitch operated a contactor (common in communal installations), the contactor is assessed. If it is in good condition, it can be retained and controlled by the new time clock. If it is worn, pitted or unreliable, it is replaced at the same time.
Step 3: Install the Programmable Time Clock
A DIN-rail mounted programmable time clock is installed in the position previously occupied by the teleswitch, or on a suitable DIN rail within the distribution board. The time clock is wired to control the contactor coil (for communal systems) or directly switch the off-peak circuit (for individual installations where the load is within the time clock's switching capacity).
Types of Time Clock Used
Single-channel digital time clock — The most common replacement for Economy 7 installations. One switching circuit, programmable with multiple on/off events per day, 7-day capability, battery backup. Suitable for straightforward overnight-only off-peak tariffs.
Typical models: Grasslin Talento 371, Theben TR 610, Hager EH711.
Multi-channel digital time clock — Required for Economy 10 or other multi-period tariffs where different circuits need to switch at different times, or where overnight and afternoon boost periods need separate control.
Typical models: Grasslin Talento 372, Theben TR 622, Hager EH772.
Astronomical time clock — Adjusts switching times automatically based on sunrise and sunset. Not typically required for storage heater applications but useful in some communal lighting and heating scenarios.
Step 4: Programme the Time Clock
The electrician programmes the time clock with the correct off-peak switching times for the property's electricity tariff. This information must match what the energy supplier has set for the meter — if the time clock activates circuits outside the off-peak window, electricity will be consumed at peak rate.
A correctly programmed time clock restores the normal Economy 7 charging cycle
Critical point: The off-peak times must be confirmed with the energy supplier before programming. Do not assume times — they vary by supplier, region and tariff. Common off-peak windows in the Manchester area include:
- Economy 7: Midnight to 7:00 AM (most common)
- Economy 7 (variant): 11:30 PM to 6:30 AM or 1:00 AM to 8:00 AM
- Economy 10: Midnight to 5:00 AM + 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM + 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (varies significantly)
Step 5: Test and Commission
After installation and programming, the electrician tests the complete system:
- Confirm the time clock switches at the programmed times (use manual override to simulate)
- Verify the contactor operates correctly (if applicable)
- Check that storage heaters receive power when the off-peak circuit is active
- Test that heaters do not receive power outside the off-peak window
- Verify the time clock battery backup holds the programme during a brief power interruption
- Check all connections are secure and protection devices are correctly rated
Step 6: Certification
A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) is issued for each installation, documenting the work carried out, the equipment installed, and the test results. This certificate should be retained by the property manager as part of the building's electrical compliance records.
Programming Considerations for Sheltered Housing
Resident Comfort
In sheltered housing, the programming should consider resident comfort patterns. Storage heaters that charge from midnight to 7:00 AM will reach peak warmth in the early morning and gradually release heat through the day. By evening, they may be cooling.
For elderly residents who spend most of their time at home, consider whether the property's tariff allows for an afternoon or evening boost period. If so, programme this into the time clock to provide additional warmth during late afternoon and evening.
BST/GMT Changeover
Most modern digital time clocks handle BST/GMT changeover automatically. However, older or basic models may require manual adjustment twice yearly. For sheltered schemes, establish a process to check and adjust time clocks at each changeover — a service visit in late March and late October.
Power Cuts and Battery Backup
All recommended time clocks include battery backup (typically lasting 100+ hours) to maintain the programme during power cuts. However, extended power cuts can deplete the backup battery. After a prolonged outage, check that the time clock is still showing the correct time and adjust if necessary.
Resident Access
In communal installations, the time clock should be located in a secure area (landlord's cupboard, locked distribution board) where residents cannot accidentally alter the programming. In individual flat installations, consider whether the time clock is accessible to residents or should be behind a locked panel.
Managing the Replacement Programme
For housing associations and local authorities managing multiple sheltered schemes, an organised approach is essential:
Prioritise by vulnerability. Start with the buildings housing the most vulnerable residents — those with known health conditions, the oldest residents, and properties that are entirely dependent on storage heaters with no alternative heating.
Batch by location. Group properties by geographic area to minimise travel time and maximise the number of replacements completed per day. A skilled electrician can typically complete 6 to 10 individual flat replacements per day, or 2 to 3 communal system replacements.
Communicate in advance. Write to residents explaining that the work is being done, when to expect the electrician, and that their heating will be fully restored. For sheltered housing, brief the scheme manager or warden who can support residents on the day.
Confirm tariff times. Contact energy suppliers for each property to confirm the exact off-peak switching times. Do this before the electrician arrives — incorrect programming wastes a return visit.
Document everything. Maintain records of each replacement including the property address, date of work, time clock model installed, programme settings, and certification reference.
Contact Manchester Compliance
We are currently carrying out teleswitch replacement programmes for housing associations and sheltered housing providers across Greater Manchester. We can handle individual properties or full programme rollouts across multiple schemes.
Call 0161 706 1360 for a same-week appointment, or email hello@manchestercompliance.co.uk to discuss a programme for your sheltered housing stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaces a radio teleswitch?
A DIN-rail mounted programmable time clock — a standalone digital timer that switches the off-peak contactor or circuit on a fixed daily schedule. Unlike the teleswitch, it needs no external signal. Common models used across Greater Manchester include the Grasslin Talento 371/372, Theben TR 610/622 and Hager EH711/EH772.
Does the electricity meter need changing too?
Usually not. If the teleswitch is a separate unit controlling a contactor, only the teleswitch is replaced and the meter is untouched. If the teleswitch function is built into an old Economy 7 meter, the energy supplier must exchange the meter (typically for a smart meter) — your electrician will identify which configuration you have during the survey.
Can one time clock fix a whole sheltered housing block?
Yes, where a single communal teleswitch controlled the off-peak switching for all flats, one time clock installed at the communal distribution point restores the entire block in one visit. Larger schemes with multiple distribution boards need one time clock per board.
What off-peak times should the time clock be programmed to?
Whatever hours your electricity tariff actually registers as off-peak — commonly midnight to 7:00 AM for Economy 7 in the Manchester area, but it varies by supplier. Always confirm the exact times with the energy supplier before programming; a mismatch means heaters charge at peak rate.
Do time clocks need adjusting when the clocks change?
Modern digital time clocks handle the BST/GMT changeover automatically and have battery backup that holds the programme through power cuts. Older basic models need manual adjustment twice a year — worth checking as part of a March and October maintenance visit.
How quickly can a replacement programme be delivered?
An experienced electrician can complete 6 to 10 individual flat replacements per day, or 2 to 3 communal systems. A 40-flat sheltered scheme with communal switching is typically restored in a single day; a scattered portfolio of individual flats takes longer and benefits from geographic batching.