Pay less for hot water, pool heating, and high-draw appliances. We install and convert controlled load (off-peak) circuits across Sydney as Level 2 Accredited Service Providers. If your electric hot water system, pool pump, or heat pump is running on a standard peak tariff, switching it to a dedicated controlled load circuit can significantly reduce your electricity costs. We handle the electrical work and the Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy network application.
Verify our NSW Contractors Licence 493243C on the official NSW Trades register.
[ OVERVIEW ]
What is controlled load (off-peak) metering?
Controlled load - also called off-peak, Economy 7, Tariff 31, or Tariff 33 depending on your retailer - is a separate metered circuit that draws power at a heavily discounted rate during periods of low network demand. Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy remotely control when this circuit is live, typically overnight or during solar-generation hours.
To access a controlled load tariff, your appliance must be hard-wired to a dedicated circuit that is connected to a separate metering register in your meter. This is network-adjacent work that a standard electrician is not authorised to perform alone. A Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) must carry out the circuit installation and coordinate the metering alteration and network application with your distributor.
In Sydney in 2026, Ausgrid's controlled load 1 (EA030) rate runs at approximately 13 to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour compared to 32 to 38 cents on a standard anytime tariff - a saving of roughly half on the electricity running cost of a large electric hot water system. Tariff rates change with retailer and network pricing; confirm current controlled load rates with your electricity retailer before committing. We hold Level 2 ASP Licence 6855 and Contractors Licence 493243C and carry out off-peak metering installations on both Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy networks.
[ SYMPTOM CHECKLIST ]
Reasons Sydney homeowners contact us about off-peak metering
Electric hot water system running on a standard peak tariff and electricity bills are high
Moving into a property with an off-peak system that is no longer activating correctly
Pool pump or pool heat pump running continuously on peak tariff
Replacing a gas hot water system with electric and wanting to access controlled load rates
Controlled load relay or ripple receiver has failed and the circuit is no longer switching
Adding a heat pump hot water system and wanting it on the most cost-effective tariff
If you are not sure whether you currently have a controlled load circuit, check your electricity bill. Controlled Load 1 or 2 is usually listed as a separate line item. If it is not there, you are paying peak rates for your hot water.
[ EDUCATION ]
Controlled load metering explained
Controlled Load 1 vs Controlled Load 2
Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy offer two controlled load tiers. Controlled Load 1 (CL1, EA030) provides at least six hours of supply within any 24-hour period - typically overnight and, for smart meter customers, during solar-generation hours midday. It suits large electric storage hot water systems of 250 litres or more. Controlled Load 2 (CL2, EA040) provides at least 16 hours per day and suits smaller tanks, heat pumps, and families who heat water more frequently. CL1 is cheaper per unit; CL2 is available for longer each day. Your retailer sets the final tariff rates.
Why a Level 2 ASP is required
Setting up a controlled load circuit requires connecting the dedicated circuit to a separate register in your meter. This crosses into the metering side of the network-connected equipment. Standard licensed electricians can wire the circuit on the property side, but the connection to the metering register and the network application to activate the controlled load tariff with Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy must be carried out by a Level 2 ASP. We hold Level 2 ASP Licence 6855 and manage the full process.
Smart meters and controlled load switching
Ausgrid updated its controlled load switching times in July 2024 to better align with solar generation. Customers with a smart meter who are on CL1 now also get access to midday solar-soaking windows, where rates can fall even lower than the overnight CL1 rate with some retailers. If you have an older accumulation meter, your retailer can arrange a smart meter upgrade at no charge in most Sydney postcodes. Some meter upgrades require a Level 2 ASP to carry out associated metering panel work.
Ripple receivers and relay controllers
Older controlled load systems used a ripple receiver - a device that detects a signal sent by the network through the power lines to switch the off-peak circuit on and off. Newer smart meters control the circuit directly via the network communication system. When a ripple receiver or relay fails, the hot water system stays cold because it never receives the signal to heat. We diagnose and replace failed ripple receivers and can upgrade older systems to smart-meter-controlled circuits during the same visit.
“Sam is an absolute legend. He fixed my hot water system this afternoon. He didn’t charge me a lot and he done a great job”
“Couldn’t be happier with Electrosurge Solutions. I had a full house rewire done and a bunch of upgrades like downlights, pendant lighting, new powerpoints, ethernet/data cabling, and exterior sensor lights. Sam is very tidy and everything looks and works perfectly. Really easy to deal with and you can tell they take pride in doing things properly. Definitely recommend if you want a quality electrician.”
“Sam is professional, courteous and honest. He is upfront with the costs and does everything per the book. He was a pleasure to work with and gave us exactly what we wanted. Highly recommended. Wish every tradie was like Sam”
“Sam is an absolute legend. He fixed my hot water system this afternoon. He didn’t charge me a lot and he done a great job”
[ INFORMATION QUERY ]
Frequently asked questions
01What is controlled load and how does it reduce my electricity bill?+
Controlled load (also called off-peak metering) is a separate circuit connected to a discounted tariff register in your electricity meter. Your hot water system, pool pump, or heat pump draws power from this circuit at rates roughly half of the standard peak tariff - around 13 to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour versus 32 to 38 cents on anytime rates in Sydney as of 2026. Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy control when the circuit switches on, typically overnight and during midday solar generation periods.
02Can any electrician install a controlled load circuit in NSW?+
No. The controlled load circuit must be connected to a separate register inside your electricity meter, which is network-connected infrastructure. In NSW, this metering work must be carried out by a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider under the ASP Scheme. A standard licensed electrician can wire the circuit on the property side, but the connection to the metering register and the application to activate the controlled load tariff with Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy require Level 2 ASP accreditation. We hold Level 2 ASP Licence 6855.
03Which appliances can go on a controlled load circuit?+
Any appliance that can store energy and does not need a constant power supply is a candidate. In Sydney, the most common controlled load appliances are electric storage hot water systems (250L to 630L for CL1; 100L to 250L for CL2), pool pumps, pool heat pumps, slab heating, and heat pump hot water units. Instantaneous or continuous-flow electric hot water units are not suitable because they require constant on-demand power rather than a stored reserve.
04What is the difference between Controlled Load 1 and Controlled Load 2 in NSW?+
Controlled Load 1 (CL1) provides at least six hours of supply per day - typically overnight and, for smart meter customers, during solar generation hours midday. It has a lower rate than CL2 but fewer hours on each day. CL1 suits large electric storage tanks of 250 litres or more. Controlled Load 2 (CL2) is available for at least 16 hours per day and suits smaller tanks, heat pumps, and properties with higher hot water demand. The right choice depends on your tank size and daily usage pattern. We advise during the assessment.
05My hot water is cold but I thought I was on off-peak. What happened?+
The most common causes are a failed ripple receiver or relay (the device that tells the hot water system when to turn on), a fault in the controlled load circuit wiring, or a change in metering that has deactivated the controlled load register. We diagnose which component has failed and either repair the circuit or replace the receiver in a single visit. Do not assume the hot water unit itself is faulty until the circuit is confirmed as working.
06Do I need to change retailers to get a controlled load tariff in Sydney?+
Not necessarily. Most major retailers in NSW offer controlled load tariffs on both Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy networks. After we install the dedicated circuit and coordinate the metering alteration, your existing retailer should be able to add the controlled load register to your account. Some retailers may require you to switch to a plan that includes CL1 or CL2 as a billing option. We provide you with the metering details needed to set up the tariff after the physical installation is complete.
07How long does it take to set up a controlled load circuit?+
The physical installation is usually completed in a single visit of two to four hours. The network application to activate the controlled load metering register with Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy typically takes one to three weeks. If a meter upgrade is also required (for older accumulation meters), the retailer arranges that separately and it can take four to eight weeks. We advise on the complete timeline when we quote.
[ RELATED SERVICES ]
Related Services
Second Meter
Combine a second meter installation with your peak/off-peak tariff setup.
