A study was carried out into the effect of the loading method and surface distribution of charges at the furnace top on the parameters of carbon reduction of silica in submerged arc furnaces. In the study, the direct physical modelling method was applied. The experiments were carried out under large-scale laboratory conditions using a 200 kVA single-electrode furnace of the Zh. Abishev Chemical and Metallurgical Institute (Kazakhstan). An additional dynamic industrial experiment was conducted in the 30 MVA furnace of Tau-Ken Temir LLP. In a large laboratory furnace, two smelting campaigns were performed, each using different approaches to the treatment of the furnace top. In the first campaign, no balancing in the energy and material flows of the system took place, resulting in forced slipping and an uncontrolled feed rate of the charge. The second campaign, conversely, included the specified balancing measures. A similar study took place over 3 days under industrial conditions. The following technological parameters were empirically determined: specific electricity consumption, furnace average active power and performance, as well as power per unit area of the furnace hearth. The Fe, Al, Ca, Si material balance of the smelting was compiled. In order to assess the load balance, the concept of charge excess in relation to charge demand at the current furnace power was used for the first time. This concept value was determined as the ratio of number of batches actually loaded relative to the theoretically-calculated number ensuring the harmonisation of material and energy flows in the furnace. As a result of the research, an increase in the interval between the furnace top treatments up to 30 min and maintenance of harmonisation between material and thermal flows in the ore smelting furnace was established for increasing silicon extraction efficiency by 10-15%. In addition, oscillations in the phase current were stabilised. The proposed balancing concept was established to support the rapid elimination of crisis conditions in an industrial furnace.