Still Charged for Off-Peak Hot Water?

If you’re asking, Are you still being charged for off-peak hot water even though you've switched to gas instantaneous or solar hot water?, you’re not alone. It’s a common issue in older homes and renovated properties across the Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast, especially where the original electric storage hot water service was connected to a controlled load tariff years ago and nobody properly removed or disconnected it.

The frustrating part is that the hot water system may be gone, but the tariff or metering arrangement can still be hanging around in the background. That can mean ongoing supply charges, an old off-peak circuit still energised, or confusion on your electricity bill that doesn’t match what’s actually installed on site.

Why you might still be charged for off-peak hot water

In many homes, off-peak hot water was set up as a separate controlled load. That usually means the hot water service was wired on its own circuit and linked to a meter or tariff that only supplied power during certain hours. When a property switches to gas instantaneous or solar hot water, that old electrical arrangement should be checked and, where required, disconnected or reconfigured.

The problem is that this step is often missed. A plumber may install the new hot water unit, but the old electrical circuit, meter register, contactor, or tariff setup is left in place. From the homeowner’s point of view, the system has changed. From the network or retailer’s point of view, the controlled load may still exist until the metering and site wiring are properly updated.

Are you still being charged for off-peak hot water after switching?

Start with the bill. Look for terms like controlled load, off-peak, dedicated circuit, or a separate hot water tariff. If there’s a daily charge or usage listed against that tariff, it’s worth investigating.

Next, look at what’s physically on site. If you now have gas instantaneous hot water, the old electric storage unit should be fully removed and the electrical supply to it should no longer be needed. If you’ve switched to solar hot water, it depends on the setup. Some solar systems still use an electric booster connected to an off-peak or controlled load circuit, so a charge may still be legitimate. That’s where a proper inspection matters.

This is the bit that catches people out - solar doesn’t always mean zero electrical hot water load. If there’s an electric boost element in the tank, you may still be using controlled load power. If it’s a gas-boosted solar system, the answer is different again.

What actually needs to be checked

This usually comes down to two parts: the site wiring and the metering.

On the electrical side, you need to know whether the old off-peak circuit is still connected, whether the controlled load is feeding anything, and whether any redundant wiring or protection devices are still in service. If the old system was removed but the circuit was left live, that’s not just untidy - it can create confusion and, in some cases, safety concerns.

On the metering side, the tariff may need to be updated through your electricity retailer and the local network process. An electrician can identify what exists on site, but meter changes or tariff removals are often handled through the retailer once the electrical work has been confirmed.

When the charge is valid and when it isn’t

Sometimes the charge is correct. If your solar hot water system still has an electric booster on controlled load, or another approved appliance is using that tariff, then it may still belong on the bill.

But if the old electric storage hot water service has been removed and nothing is connected to that off-peak supply, there’s a fair chance you’re paying for something you no longer use. In that case, the next step is to verify the installation, disconnect any redundant circuit if needed, and sort out the metering records.

It’s also worth knowing that not every off-peak charge is a usage charge. Some customers are stung by a daily supply charge for a controlled load meter even when actual consumption is low or nil. That’s why reading the bill properly matters.

What to do next

If you suspect you’re still being billed for an old off-peak hot water setup, don’t guess. Have the installation checked properly. A licensed electrician can inspect the switchboard, identify whether the controlled load circuit is still active, confirm what your current hot water system actually requires, and advise whether the metering arrangement still makes sense.

From there, you can speak with your retailer armed with the right information instead of going in circles. If electrical disconnection or switchboard work is needed, get it done properly and get documentation for the change.

For property owners doing upgrades, this is also a good reminder that changing appliances isn’t the same as updating the electrical infrastructure around them. The plumbing might be finished, but the electrical side still needs to match the new setup.

At GROUND., this is the sort of issue we approach the same way we approach any site problem - inspect what’s there, confirm what’s live, and fix what no longer stacks up. If your bill and your hot water system don’t match, there’s usually a reason. Better to find it now than keep paying for it month after month.