These functions do not change fridge temperature, choose when to run the defrost functions for no-frost units (a quick wall heating to melt the ice and quickly came back to normal), choose to run or not some ancillary functions (like making ice cubes) etc. They are VERY chatty https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38984609 but not much useful.

Shifting loads for hot water, if you have big enough reservoirs on contrary change MUCH the game, being able to shift some loads automatically, like leaving a dishwasher or a washing machines, a pumped irrigation systems and so on might significantly change the overall bill to makes investments in that sense meaningful.