Octopus Octoplus free summer energy sessions don't forget to sign up

QrizB

Session is starting now.

I've reversed the current clamp on my battery storage inverter, so it thinks I'm exporting rather than importing

Qyburn

Our battery was over 80% but I did a bit of a top up just for the he'll of it.

Now pondering whether it's worth setting up "Octopus Free Energy" automation, which I think would be a bit fiddly.  It would have to reduce battery charge and priority the previous night and during the day prior to the session. Start of session, stop normal operating automation, switch to charge from grid. End of session .. reverse those and also disable the previous automations so it doesn't run next day.

It's not 100% intuitive to work out the benefit either. If I get a free charge during the day does it mean I export more, or mean less of an overnight charge. The former values the free energy at 15p/kWh, the latter 8.5p.

prowla

I decided a while back that it's not worth me planning my day around something which may earn me 50p.

Lorian

Been busy and maybe got to about a fiver.

VoucherMan

Another free hour tomorrow. 12 (noon)-1pm Thursday 11th September

Lorian

Tomorrow has more scope for me. Core temp in the house slowly drifting down now so I plan to dump some electric heat in during that hour. Should be a bit more useful for me.

SuzeQStan

I was thinking of doing some supplemental heating as well @Lorian but OH told me to put extra layer on and give head a wobble 🙄

LoveMS

prowla said:

I decided a while back that it's not worth me planning my day around something which may earn me 50p.

I agree with @prowla. I checked my savings today through my account and was shocked to find that I saved only £0.39 over four sessions. It seems that this 'Free Electricity' session may not be significantly beneficial for everyone.

QrizB

LoveMS said:

prowla said:

I decided a while back that it's not worth me planning my day around something which may earn me 50p.

I agree with @prowla. I checked my savings today through my account and was shocked to find that I saved only £0.39 over four sessions. It seems that this 'Free Electricity' session may not be significantly beneficial for everyone.

Electricity is fairly cheap, and there's only so much you can usefully use in an hour (or two). You shouldn't be surprised that the savings are commensurate with that.

For example if you would normally heat your water with mains gas but instead run your immersion heater for the full hour, you'll get about 75p worth of electricity for free and will avoid using about 21p worth of gas.

If you don't want free electricity, you're not obliged to actively participate.

QrizB

Well, I'm currently pulling 11kW. Charging the car, heating water and topping up my home battery. Hopefully I don't end up paying full price for it