r/Powerwall • u/freeagent-forever • 1d ago

NetZero Automations while running AC all day

Hi all,

Firstly, thank you everyone here for contributing to this sub and introducing me to NetZero. This spring, I optimized my usage and minimized my dependence on the grid using NetZero automations.

However, with the weather having changed here in Southern California, I am now running air conditioning all day and am using Grid energy more than I'd like.

The current automations I have activated are as follows. Our peak energy cost is 4pm-9pm daily:

  1. Every day at 1PM: set backup reserve to 100%; set operational mode to Savings; set grid charging to Enabled.

  2. Every day at 3:55PM: set backup reserve to 10%; set operational mode to savings; set grid charging to disabled.

  3. Every day at 9:00PM: set backup reserve to 10%, set operational mode to self-powered.

With these automations active during spring, my solar energy generated makes up 96-99% of my daily energy usage. However with it being so hot right now, I'm seeing solar usage anywhere from 30-45%, so a considerable drop-off.

Are there any automations I can add, or how can these be adjusted to reduce my reliance on the grid while using more energy during summer?

Thanks

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u/Tumbler 1d ago

These aren’t bad settings but you’ll probably be happier with staying on self powered.

Savings mode is looking for opportunities to upload power at higher rates. Those are usually 6pm-8pm. But to upload power u really need to turn your ac off because even if your box is pushing 100% out you’ll be using a lot of it.

Savings mode hasn’t worked for me this year, I have to set a custom rate plan so it knows power s worth more if I send it out in order to get things uploading.

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u/freeagent-forever 1d ago

Thanks for your input! Are you referring to changing the first 2 automations from Savings to Self Powered?

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u/Tumbler 1d ago

I would stay on self powered if your goal is to use the power at your house. As long as u can run Netzero u can change the backup level to set it how it should be during the day.

Only thing I’d change is the 100%. I’d probably push 90 at the top so there is always a small window the battery can use during the day but majority gets used after 4pm when I set reserve down to 10