Examples of residential end-use products that could operate in a flexible way include EV chargers, heat pumps and electric water heaters (including heat pump water heaters).

“In the right conditions, up to 74% of residential energy use can be flexible to some extent,” said Murray Bell, EECA’s Group Manager Policy and Regulation.

“Flexibility in our energy use can be used to shift when and how energy is consumed, resulting in less peak demand on the electricity system lessening the need for costly upgrades.

“Smart technology can help households manage costs, while ensuring energy is there when it is needed.”

Submissions will inform EECA’s future work, which may include developing voluntary specifications for products used in the home, and approved lists to support their uptake. This would be a similar approach to EECA’s list of approved smart EV chargers.

Alongside this call for feedback, EECA and the Electricity Engineers’ Association are gathering data from the FlexTalk project trialing smart technology in close to 150 homes to better understand the opportunity for energy users in New Zealand to take control of their energy use. Wider trials are soon to get underway in many more homes around the country.

EECA is also carrying out research to deepen our understanding of exactly how much potential there for flexible energy use to reduce costs across the country over both the industrial and residential sectors – and will share findings publicly.

“We’re keen to hear from the appliance industry, energy industry, consumers and anyone who wants to share feedback on this area that we see playing a key role in New Zealand’s energy future,” said Bell.

Visit the EECA website to read the green paper, Unlocking the potential of demand flexibility – a residential product perspective, and make a submission.

Submissions close on 10 November, 2025.

Notes
*Submissions on the paper will inform future work, which could include:
• Further information and resources for homeowners on the benefits of demand flexibility, and the role of end-use products,
• Developing voluntary specifications for end-use products, and approved lists to support their uptake. This would be a similar approach to: EV Smart Charger Approved List | EECA,
• Research to understand end-use product demand flexibility,
• Further engagement with stakeholders.