What is sanctioned load and why does it matter?

Sanctioned load is the maximum demand (in kW) your connection is approved for. Your monthly fixed charge is billed on it whether you use it or not — so a load set higher than you need means paying for capacity you never draw.

How do I know if my sanctioned load is too high?

Compare it with the highest MD (maximum demand) printed on your last 12 bills. If your sanctioned load is well above that peak plus about 20% headroom, you are paying fixed charges on capacity you don't use.

Can reducing sanctioned load backfire?

Yes — if your recorded demand later exceeds the reduced load, many DISCOMs bill an excess-demand penalty or enhance the load on their own. The optimizer keeps headroom over your 12-month peak and flags loads where the modelled penalty already outweighs the saving.

How do I actually reduce my sanctioned load?

Apply to your DISCOM (online portal or section office) for a load reduction. Most DISCOMs accept one revision per year; some charge a small processing fee. The change reflects in the fixed-charge line of your next bill.

Sanctioned Load Optimizer

Your fixed charge is billed on your sanctioned load every single month — used or not. Most households still carry the load set at connection time (or bumped for an AC long gone), and quietly overpay for years. Enter your load and your highest recorded demand — we run your DISCOM's real fixed-charge schedule and show the load you actually need, what it saves per year, and where cutting too far starts costing you penalties.

State / UT

Your DISCOM

Sanctioned load on your bill (kW)

Highest MD in last 12 months (kW)

Monthly usage (units)

Not sure about your highest MD? Estimate it from your appliances

List what's in the house — wattage and how many, no run-hours needed. The estimate counts everything that typically runs together on a hot evening (fans, lights, fridge, AC, TV…) plus your single biggest heat appliance (geyser, induction, iron — they rarely run at the same time as each other).

Estimated maximum demand: —

Where do I find my MD (maximum demand)?

Look for "MD", "Maximum Demand" or "Recorded Demand" on your bill — most DISCOMs print it near the meter readings, in kW or kVA. Smart meters record it automatically. Check your last 12 bills and take the highest value (your summer AC months will set it). No MD on your bills? Estimate the biggest load you switch on at once: a 1.5 ton inverter AC draws ≈ 1.5 kW, a geyser ≈ 2 kW, and lights/fans/fridge together ≈ 0.5 kW.

How this optimizer works

For every candidate load we price your bill with the same engine as our bill calculator — your DISCOM's fixed charge schedule (per-kW, tiered or flat), slab rates and duty — with your recorded demand held at your real MD. That's what makes the "too low" zone visible: below your MD, many tariffs bill an excess-demand penalty or re-base your load upward, which can wipe out the saving. The sweet spot keeps sensible headroom above your MD, and nothing more.

Reduce your load: the paperwork

How to apply for a load reductionThe application, documents, fees and what changes on your bill DISCOM raised your load on its own?Why smart meters trigger auto-enhancement and how to contest it Why did my bill increase?The usual suspects behind a sudden jump — including load changes

Savings are computed from your DISCOM's published domestic tariff and assume your usage pattern holds. Load-reduction rules differ by DISCOM — most accept applications once per year, some charge a small processing fee, and new appliances (an extra AC, an EV charger) can push your MD back up. Verify against your DISCOM's tariff order before applying.