Hot Water Load Control
The Hot Water Load Control initiative refers to the temporary interruption of electricity supply to hot water cylinders to manage electrical demand during peak times.
Instead of heating hot water cylinders during periods of high demand, these are heated when electricity demand is lower. As hot water cylinders stay hot for several hours, there is no noticeable difference to customers who participate in Hot Water Control.
We’re making Hot Water Load Control available through your energy retailer so you can access more competitive and flexible power plans. Retailers are the power companies you pay your power bill to, such as Mercury, Meridian, Contact Energy, Genesis, and many others.
Currently, the retailers who offer Hot Water Load Control to their customers are Meridian, Mercury, Contact Energy, Powershop, Flick Electric, Trustpower, Simply Energy and Western Energy.
This means that in exchange for lower power bills, you give your retailer permission to heat your hot water cylinder during less busy, or off-peak hours. The hot water cylinders of participating customers are mainly targeted in the mornings between 7am and 11am and in the evenings between 6pm and 10pm.
Why does this matter?
Hot Water Load Control helps to delay costly upgrades to the electricity network by reducing peak demand, thereby avoiding higher lines charges to customers connected to Counties Energy’s network.
How do I sign up?
You’ll need a smart meter at your property to participate. Currently, some retailers are offering Hot Water Flex as part of a trial in the Pukekohe area to around 3,550 households.
However, we expect Hot Water Flex to grow in 2026. If you’re interested, please contact your retailer.
If you notice cold water issues, please contact Counties Energy directly on 0800 100 202.
A typical hot water cylinder will retain its temperature over the period when your retailer is carrying out Hot Water Flex, provided it is at operating temperature and there is considered hot water usage over these times.
Reducing hot water consumption before, during, or immediately after load control peaks reduces the time the cylinder takes to return to its normal operating temperature.
Insulating older cylinders with a wrap will also help retain heat over these periods.
Setting cylinder temperatures to 60°C or above can extend how long the hot water will last, compared with cylinders set at lower temperatures.