Controlled Load Removal Nightmare

[volt]

Hi all,

just to provide some context: currently I have both solar (12kW) and a battery (30kWh). I was expecting this to reduce my power bills to next to nothing but was surprised to find that all my remaining costs were due to controlled load use. Even though controlled load is now supplied during daylight hours (when the solar is generating power), due to the way the metering is done, you pay for the controlled load even when you are exporting power to the grid. Essentially, the power you generate is metered on the primary load (in both directions) and the controlled load is completely separate.

As a result of this (and advice to others) I had the hot water moved over to the primary load so that I could benefit from the power I'm generating to heat the water (along with a timer to ensure that the water would be heated during the day). This solved the issue, but I was still paying 7c / day for the supply of the controlled load (of course, negligible but still worth removing).

As I have a Intellihub smart meter, I was naively expecting this to be a matter of a simple phone call. After being shuffled between various AGL teams, I ended up at new connections who informed me that the cost would be either $20 if it could be done remotely or greater than $200 if somebody needs to come out. I indicated that I was prepared to pay $20 but would certainly not pay $200. They said only the metering company (intellihub) could tell me of a site visit was required but I couldn't speak to them directly.

I was subsequently contacted by both Intellihub and AGL asking me for an appropriate date for a site visit but on all occasions I ask them to check first whether the procedure can be done remotely and if not, why not. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get any clarity.

Clearly, I am not going to even risk paying $200 for something that will save me 7c a day as it would take me 80 years to justify the expense. In the end I just cancelled the request. Buy why does it need to be this hard?

[Lester]

Yes, with lowest tariff now during solar soak, this is a big issue.

I posted numerouus times here how we had the same things when we had solar put on late 2023, they just replaced like for like, the old off peak meter with timer was replaced with a regular usage / solar meter (3ph Atlas Mk10D) and a separate CL meter, and we were put on TOU tariff (wihout any discussion).

So in the end, we moved our HWS circuit to the main meter, timer, and all good, we just have it coming on during our 8c rate we get over 6 hours midnight to 0600 each day, cost is peanuts.

We can also boost if we feel like it when producing comfortable exports, so then it's free doing that.

Main reason to post in reply . . .

Our now defunct CL Atlas Mk7 meter is still in the meter box, still connected to mains power, but nothing changes with the meter reading, uses nothing, and as far as I can see there is no daily charge for the CL anywhere on billing.

So where do you see this 7c daily charge, in with your supply charges ?

If so, it must be a network (DNSP) thing.

[Ryan18]

Hi - I have this exact problem too. AGL insists they need to change my meter from a 7A to a 7C meter which requires a site visit. If it is a smart meter, why can't a specific tariff just be removed? 

[Mia_AGL]

Hi there,

I understand this situation has been frustrating, and I’m sorry for the inconvenience it has caused. I also acknowledge that you have chosen to remove the controlled load so you can make better use of your solar generation.

I do need to clarify that removing the controlled load does not automatically mean your hot water will become solar hot water. It generally means your hot water will no longer operate under the controlled-load arrangement and may instead be supplied through your general usage tariff. If you would like your hot water to be heated using solar, you may need to speak with your solar provider or a Registered Electrical Contractor to understand the best option for your specific setup.

It is also worth noting that if your hot water relies heavily on solar generation or battery supply, there may be times when there is not enough solar generation available, or the battery is exhausted, which could affect your hot water availability.

Regarding the change fee, this fee has been quoted by Intellihub, as they are the metering coordinator. As Intellihub manages the metering work, we are only able to pass on the information they have provided. If they are unable to confirm whether a site visit is required, we unfortunately do not have the technical visibility to confirm this ourselves, as we are not the metering technicians completing the work.

I’m sorry we could not provide a more definitive answer in this instance, and I appreciate your understanding.

Sincerely,

Mia.

[Ryan18]

Thanks - but if the hot water is no longer operating under controlled load arrangement, why am I being charged a daily supply charge? 

I am in NSW, Ausgrid. The frustrating thing is the daily supply charge for controlled load is a new charge. 

[Lester]

@Ryan18 is the CL still connected, a CL meter present ?
Was there a change and you had the HW taken off CL and onto normal circuit ?

Even if you stayed on the CL, it appears Ausgrid do charge for a CL meter, a daily tariff called a meter service charge (MSC).

https://www.ausgrid.com.au/your-energy-use/smarter-energy-use/understanding-network-tariffs/controll...  

Page 13 of the PDF  Appendix B - ES7 Network Price Guide link down the page a bit shows this on page 13.

If you recently got solar, the text in that section states . . .

* MSC applies to EA029 sites where small generation systems (such as solar PV and wind turbines) are
connected to the Ausgrid network.

We don't get this separate charge in SA.

[Ryan18]

I had the HW changed from a electric boosted to a heat pump and put on a normal circuit so there is nothing on the CL. My bills show controlled load usage as 0 for the past 9 months now, but I am charged the daily controlled load supply charge - a new charge imposed as of 2 months ago.

Unfortunately, to my understanding, my smart meter is an EDMI 7A meter and AGL says they will need to install a 7C meter. I can't understand why the 7A meter can't be configured to disable the controlled load remotely without someone having to come on site and actually replacing it.

Given the fee for this is $185, it seems cheaper to just keep paying the controlled load supply charge .. an unfortunate situation. 

[Lester]

Yep, we did same when we went solar, off the CL and onto normal meter with a timer.

The CL meter is still in the meterbox, still shown on bill (all zero readings), but no daily CL charges.
One of ours is also a Mk7a Atlas, as long as it doesn't cost anything it can just stay there until someone wants it back.

It's single phase, as we have 3 phase perhaps that's why we also have an Atlas Mk10d for general circuit and solar.

Not sure why yours can't be reprogrammed, the Mk7a can supposedly be suitable for multiple uses, including both a general household circuit and a controlled load circuit (such as off-peak hot water) at the same time . . . (info from google AI).

[Ryan18]

That's what I thought too, but AGL says the metering company says otherwise. You'll be in the same boat when they eventually charge you a daily supply charge for controlled load. 

[Lester]

SA doesn't seem to have it with our one DNSP in the state.

If it changes I'll just get off it, might even pre empt that when the battery goes in in 2-1/2 weeks.
Have you called your DNSP and asked them about it ?