Energy bills can be full of unfamiliar terms. Here we explain controlled load (also known as ‘dedicated circuit usage’).
Controlled load is the electricity used by a stand-alone item, which is separately metered to the rest of your household’s electricity usage. It’s most commonly used for hot water systems, but it can also be used for other items, including under-floor or slab heating and pool pumps. They are generally appliances and devices that use a large amount of energy but don’t need to be running all the time.
Controlled load operating hours – that is, the timing window that your controlled appliances may turn on – can vary based on your state and distribution area and are usually set by your distributor. We may also vary your controlled load timings from time to time
More details are listed on the below tabs. We’ll add information if changes are happening across other states.
Controlled load appliances have traditionally been switched on overnight, for the purposes of using cheaper off-peak power. With more solar energy produced during the day due to the increasing number of rooftop solar systems, adding a daytime operating window is becoming more common. Shifting certain electrical loads to other times can reduce pressure on the grid and optimise the use of renewable energy.
Ausgrid
Controlled load 1 tariffs have both overnight and daytime operating windows as standard. The overnight-only option ended in 2024 and is no longer available.
Overnight
- between 10.00pm and 6.45am AEST/AEDT (early April to early October)
- between 9.00pm and 4.15am AEST/AEDT (October)
- between 9.00pm and 5.45am AEST/AEDT (November to early April) Daytime
- between 10.00am and 4.45pm AEST/AEDT (early April to early October)
- between 9.00am and 3.45pm AEST/AEDT (October)
- between 9.00am and 1.30pm AEST/AEDT (November to early April)
Endeavour Energy
From September 2025, a daytime operating window applies for our customers with smart meters. The times can vary outside the timings listed.
Overnight
- between 10.00pm and 7.00am AEST/AEDT (All days)
Daytime
- between 10.00am and 4.00pm AEST/AEDT (Al days)
Essential Energy
Controlled load 1 tariffs have both overnight and daytime operating windows as standard. An overnight-only option is no longer available for smart meters. The times can vary outside the timings listed.
Overnight
- between 1.00am and 5.30am AEST/AEDT
Daytime
- between 10.00am and 1.30pm AEST/AEDT
Some of the common controlled load items include:
- Electric hot water
- Underfloor heating
- Slab heating
- Pool pump
- Irrigation pump
Controlled load appliances are high energy-usage appliances which are connected to the electricity grid but are separately metered to track their individual usage. This allows the usage to be billed at a different rate.
You’ll find usage listed in the ‘Energy charges’ section on page 2 of your bill.
Depending on the state you’re in, controlled load tariffs may be called different names – they are most commonly known as controlled load 1, controlled load 2 or dedicated circuit.