What is a Controlled Load?

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What is a controlled load?

How does a controlled-load tariff work?

Will a controlled load save me money on my electricity?

Are controlled-load tariffs the same across Australia?

Pros and Cons of controlled-load tariffs

How do I get on a controlled-load tariff?

Things to consider before getting a controlled load

Ready for an energy plan with a smarter schedule?

Long story short

Controlled-load tariffs help high-energy appliances run cost-effectively

They allow your energy-hungry appliances, like hot water heaters, to run on their own dedicated circuit at off-peak hours for lower rates.

Controlled-load tariffs can help ease grid demand

By running your big appliances in the middle of the day when demand is lower, you can use excess solar energy from the grid and reduce strain later.

Savings depend on your appliances and setup

To switch to a controlled-load tariff, you need to have a smart meter and a dedicated controlled-load meter.

What is a controlled load?

A controlled-load electricity tariff is like a VIP lane for appliances that use a lot of electricity. It means power-hungry appliances like hot water systems or pool heaters get their own meter and are charged separately for the power they use. They’re also often run automatically during off-peak hours, so they cost you less to run. If you’re on a controlled-load tariff, you’ll usually spot it on the second page of your electricity bill.

Appliances that are a good fit for controlled-load tariffs include:

• hot water heater
• underfloor heating
• pool pumps
• slab heating
• electric vehicle chargers
• washing machines
• dryers
• air conditioning.

How does a controlled-load tariff work?

To use a controlled-load tariff, you’ll need a separate meter for the controlled load, on top of your home’s main electricity meter. Think of it like your fridge at home: you’ve got a freezer on one side and a fridge on the other. Different jobs, same appliance.

A controlled-load meter is dedicated to a few selected high-energy appliances. Because these items are linked to their own meter, the meter can set them to run only during certain hours of the day (unlike your main meter). Controlled-load tariffs used to operate during the night, a common low-demand period for the grid. Now, thanks to the abundance of solar power being fed back to the grid, controlled-load tariffs often run during off-peak times of the day instead (usually in the middle of the day).

This means that those once expensive-to-run electric hot water systems can now heat to their hearts’ content when energy costs are lower, without dragging your bill up along with it. You can also manually turn things on outside of these peak hours if needed, but be warned, it could mean a noticeable spike in your bill depending on how long they’re running for.

Helpful tip

If you’ve just moved, it’s worth checking whether your new place already has a controlled-load meter. The previous owner might’ve hooked up something like a pool heater to a controlled-load circuit to cut running costs, which could work in your favour. If that’s the case, you’ll just need to have the meter turned back on and linked to your energy account.

Julia Paszka

General Manager – Utilities & Credit Cards

Will a controlled load save me money on my electricity?

Let’s look at an example from our fictional friend Clarice. She’s just moved into a new home in Victoria with a pool. Her pool’s heater uses around 1 kWh of electricity per hour to heat, but it needs to run for about 16 hours a day to heat up completely, which can really add up. Clarice wants to weigh up all her options to see if a controlled-load tariff could help keep the bills in her new home under control. With Victorian Default Offer pricing, running her pool heater on a standard tariff could cost around $4.82 per day (that’s without adding the supply charge), while a controlled-load tariff would work out to be $3.54 per day.

It might not seem like a huge difference day-to-day, but over a year’s time, it can tell a different story. The cost of heating Clarice’s pool over a year without a controlled load would cost $1,761, while with a controlled load, it would only be $1,292.

Are controlled-load tariffs the same across Australia?

Not all Australian states operate controlled-load tariffs in the same way. Some, like South Australia, keep things simple with a single tariff. Other states have two separate controlled-load tariffs that work in slightly different ways, making each more suitable for different types of appliances.

In New South Wales, Essential Energy have two controlled-load tariffs. Controlled load 1 is for appliances that only need to be used between 10 pm and 7 am. Controlled load 2 is for appliances that need another boost during the day, like solar hot water systems or pool pumps. They get access to cheaper power rates for the whole day, except 7–9 am and 5–8 pm.

Queensland’s Ergon Energy also has two controlled-load tariffs. Tariff 31 needs to be used for at least eight hours per day, and tariff 33 needs to be used for at least 16 hours per day.

Finally, in Tasmania, there are also two tariffs – sort of. Tariff 62 runs between 10 pm and 7 am. Tariff 61 is technically retired, so new customers can’t jump onto it, but existing ones don’t have to move off it. It runs from 8 pm to 7 am and between 1 pm and 4:30 pm.

Pros and Cons of controlled-load tariffs

Pros

• Often lower electricity rates than single or time-of-use tariffs
• Helps reduce pressure on the grid during peak demand times
• Supports renewable energy (off-peak power may come from excess solar sent back to the grid)

Cons

• Only useful for certain high-energy appliances
• Power for your appliances is limited to specific hours of the day (usually off-peak)
• There may be extra costs to upgrade your meter or install a new one

How do I get on a controlled-load tariff?

First things first, check whether your home already has a controlled-load tariff. You can usually find this on your energy bill or by calling up your energy provider.

To actually jump onto a controlled-load tariff, you’ll need a smart meter so your energy usage can be recorded properly during off-peak hours. You’ll also need an electrician to install a separate meter for the appliances on your new controlled-load tariff. Once that’s sorted, your energy retailer will switch things on, and you can enjoy your new energy-efficient home.

Things to consider before getting a controlled load

Before getting swept up in the potential savings, it’s important to make sure that a controlled-load tariff will actually work for your household. No one wants to go through the upgrade process only to find it’s not the right fit.

Ready for an energy plan with a smarter schedule?

If you’re wondering whether a controlled-load tariff could work for your home, it’s worth checking your current setup and looking closely at your home’s electricity usage. If you like the idea of a controlled-load tariff, iSelect can help you compare your options to make a choice that fits your home’s energy style. Head online to compare from a range of plans and providers or call our energy comparison experts on 1800 664 532 to find a match for your home.