topic Re: Smart Meter - Hot Water System in Meters & Connections

Smart Meter - Hot Water System

C0ld5how3r — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:52:04 GMT

Hello all,

We are having issues with hot water system now the days are getting colder. We're finding that we do not have hot water during the evenings when it comes time to shower. Has anyone experienced this? Seems to be worse with the cold weather and since getting a smart meter installed at the beginning of summer.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Smart Meter - Hot Water System

Lester — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:07:01 GMT

Your HWS is on a CL (controlled load) circuit ??

Check with your DNSP (or through AGL helpline), as some DNSPs have different CL tariffs available, with more than one cycle per day.
Here in SA CL is now set to come on during solar soak, when the state generally has more renewables available.

I know I have seen NSW users mention they have at least 2 (maybe more) tariff options, and CL options.

If you have a CL meter, you can see the specific times of use in your data, available to download form the AGL accounts page, go to usage and click the little download data icon.

Re: Smart Meter - Hot Water System

ChrisE_AGL — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:19:47 GMT

Hi @C0ld5how3r

I'm sorry for the delay in my response.

If you are running out of Hot water during the day we can take a look at the tariff it is currently on and look into changing it so that you get hot water through the entire day.

Please reach out to our support team who will be more than happy to assist you with this process.

Thanks, Chris

Re: Smart Meter - Hot Water System

NeilC — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:23:04 GMT

@C0ld5how3r

How you use hot water and the size of your tank is often an issue.

If you use mixer taps make sure that you always have the tap turned to the right so that when you lift the tap only cold water comes on.

Single taps, only use the cold tap.

Hot water takes some time to come through, so when you open a hot tap what you do is introduce cold water into the heater which in turn then pushes the hotter water into the pipe work. Unless you wait for the hot water to arrive at the tap, you are simply heating the hot water pipes for no reason.

If you have an older washing machine (that does not contain a heating element) then do a cold wash.

Re: Smart Meter - Hot Water System

C0ld5how3r — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:10:29 GMT

Hi Chrise_AGL,

Yes we are still running out of hot water during the day. It will happen two to three times weekly now where the hot water is there but it is barely a trickle from the taps.

Do I cann AGL to get this tarrif changed or can I email for it?

Re: Smart Meter - Hot Water System

NeilC — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:47:37 GMT

@C0ld5how3r

Seems to be an issue here.

You are complaining about a lack of pressure not a lack of hot water.

It will happen two to three times weekly now "where the hot water is there" but it is "barely a trickle" from the taps.

I suggest you engage a plumber to investigate your issues...

Maybe you are using your washing machine while trying to have a shower etc etc etc

Re: Smart Meter - Hot Water System

ChrisE_AGL — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:01:00 GMT

Hi @C0ld5how3r

Thank you for responded.

It's as @NeilC mentions, if the issue is lack of water pressure that is something you'll need to contact a plumber about, as you mention you are running out of hot water a few times. I'm going to send you a Private Message to collect some account information provide some further information about a tariff change so the hot water doesn't run out.

Thanks, Darren