Hot Water Control
Save up to $150 per year with our intelligent hot water control.
How can this work? Hot water cylinders are like giant flasks and retain heat incredibly well, so you'll still have plenty of hot water even when heating is temporarily paused.
Hot water control saves you money by stopping your cylinder from heating when energy is costing you the most.
How does it work?
Hot water control uses new generation smart meters being rolled out nationwide. If you have an eligible meter, you can apply to join hot water control.
Choose the control level that suits your household's needs from four options. Higher control levels mean greater savings, as we can avoid more expensive peak electricity periods whilst your cylinder's excellent insulation keeps water hot for hours.
You're in complete control and can update your level anytime with no commitment period. Changes take up to 24 hours to activate.
Control Level Options
For all levels, we prioritise control to avoid heating during the highest cost periods (based on your plan) to maximise your savings. This control also helps support the stability of the grid by reducing consumption during times of high consumption.
No control
FLEX - Maximum of 4 hours of control each day
SMART - Maximum of 8 hours of control each day
MAXIMISER - Maximum of 16 hours of control each day
Remember: Your hot water cylinder is designed to retain heat - even with 16 hours of control, you'll still have hot water when you need it.
FLEX Level - "The Busy Family"
Meet Sarah from Hamilton
Sarah is a 45-year-old teacher married to James, a shift worker. They have three children aged 8, 12, and 16. With James working different shifts each week, the kids involved in various sports and activities, and teenagers who shower at unpredictable times, their household hot water usage is completely chaotic. Sarah needs the flexibility to ensure hot water is always available when any family member needs it, regardless of the time of day.
"With five of us all on different schedules - James's shifts, the kids' sports, and teenage shower marathons - I need to know we'll always have hot water available. Flexibility is essential for our busy family."
SMART Level - "The Organised Couple"
Meet Jenny and Mark from Christchurch
Jenny is a 42-year-old nurse and Mark is a 38-year-old office manager. They're both creatures of habit with predictable routines. Jenny showers before her early shifts, Mark showers after his evening gym sessions, and they do laundry on weekends. They understand that their hot water cylinder holds heat well and are comfortable with smart control because they know their hot water patterns. They're motivated by meaningful savings on their power bill.
"We're pretty organised with our routines, so we know when we use hot water. Smart control gives us real savings without affecting our schedule, and we trust that the cylinder will keep water hot between heating cycles."
MAXIMISER Level - "The Efficiency Expert"
Meet David from Auckland
David is a 32-year-old software developer living alone in a modern one-bedroom apartment. He's environmentally conscious and financially savvy, with minimal hot water needs, a daily shower and occasional dishwashing. David understands the technical aspects of hot water systems and trusts that modern cylinders retain heat excellently. He's chosen the MAXIMISER level because he wants maximum savings and his low usage means control periods won't impact his lifestyle.
"Living alone means I use very little hot water, so maximum control makes perfect sense. I understand how well-insulated cylinders work, and with my minimal usage, I'm getting maximum savings whilst barely noticing any difference."
FAQs
Hot water control saves you money by stopping your cylinder from heating when energy is costing you the most, while ensuring you still have hot water when you need it.
You can save up to $150 per year.
Hot water cylinders are designed to be like giant flasks, retaining heat incredibly well. This means your water stays hot even when heating is temporarily paused during expensive peak hours.
It uses new generation smart meters that are being rolled out nationwide. If you have an eligible meter, you can apply to join the hot water control program.
There are four control level options:
No control
FLEX: Maximum of 4 hours of control each day
SMART: Maximum of 8 hours of control each day
MAXIMISER: Maximum of 16 hours of control each day
Higher control levels allow us to avoid more expensive peak electricity periods, maximising your savings while your cylinder's excellent insulation keeps water hot for hours.
No, you are in complete control and can update your level anytime with no commitment period.
Changes take up to 24 hours to activate.