Your energy bills contain energy-related terminology which can sometimes seem confusing. Here we explain controlled load (also known as ‘dedicated circuit usage’).
It’s the electricity used by a stand-alone item, that 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 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.
You will have at least one of the following items:
- Electric hot water
- Underfloor heating
- Slab heating
- Pool pump
- Irrigation pump
These items are connected to the electricity grid but are separately metered to record the usage for that specific item. This allows the usage to be billed at a different rate. The energy consumption for these appliances can be tracked separately , allowing it to be priced and billed differently. Controlled load operating hours vary between states and distribution areas.
You’ll find controlled load or dedicated circuit usage on page 2 of your bill in the energy charges section listed as ‘dedicated circuit consumption’