Controlled load and hot water heating

Controlled load and hot water heating

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and reliable power supply to all customers, we’re always looking at better ways to manage the electricity on our network.

As the name suggests, a Controlled Load tariff enables us to control the load on the network. By allowing us this control, customers are rewarded with cheaper rates.

Recently we’ve made a slight change to the times that supply is available on Controlled Load 1 (CL1) tariff.

Controlled load allows certain appliances, most commonly electric hot water systems, to operate at selected times when demand on the electricity network is lower.

By managing when these appliances operate, we can help balance demand across the network and make better use of available electricity, including renewable energy.

How Controlled Load 1 works

Controlled Load 1 (CL1) has traditionally supplied connected appliances overnight, generally between 10pm and 7am on weeknights, with supply available at all times over the weekend.

In some areas, part of the overnight heating period has been shifted to provide additional heating during the day. This helps spread electricity demand across the network and make use of excess renewable energy when it is available.

Your hot water system’s thermostat will still determine whether heating is required. If the water is already at the required temperature, the system will not heat unnecessarily.

Any electricity used during a daytime controlled load period is charged at the same controlled load rate that would otherwise apply.

Changes to hot water heating during low-demand periods

From October 2026, Essential Energy is progressively introducing new controlled load capability in selected areas, including Tweed Heads, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree and Port Macquarie.

During rare periods when electricity demand is very low and rooftop solar generation is high, we may temporarily shift some controlled load hot water heating from overnight to daytime or reduce heating hours. These periods are known as Minimum System Load events.

Changing heating times helps make better use of excess solar generation and supports the stability of the electricity network.

Most customers will not notice a change and do not need to take any action. In some cases, you may have less hot water than usual in the morning. Heating will resume later in the day before returning to its normal schedule.

Other equipment connected to controlled load, such as underfloor heating or irrigation , should not be impacted. If you rely on a controlled load pump for livestock watering, check your water storage, tanks and troughs are operating as usual.