Tired of unpredictable utility fees? Here’s why you need more than just solar + storage

The number of homeowners adopting energy storage systems continues to soar as prices become more affordable. Much of this can be attributed to energy savings found in the Inflation Reduction Act. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently reported that Americans claimed more than $8 billion in tax credits for energy upgrades. And while it’s a great start, the Inflation Reduction Act isn’t the only way that homeowners can find savings with their battery system.

Energy management systems help homeowners generate greater savings

Having a backup power source during a grid outage may be the first thing Americans think about when considering a solar battery, but there are many use cases. One becoming increasingly popular is cost savings, a method that empowers homeowners to tap into the energy stored in their battery when solar power isn’t available. This usually occurs during the late afternoon or evening when homeowners would typically rely on their local power grid for electricity. But a battery can only go so far without a smart energy management system in the mix.

Smart energy management is a simple and affordable solution that acts as a force multiplier for solar + storage systems. It uses intelligent software to monitor and manage energy in real time, giving homeowners better control and more transparency. This can be incredibly helpful when trying to navigate complex rate structures from utility companies, especially those that participate in time-of-use rates or demand charges.

Minimize your energy consumption using Lumin’s intelligent software

Regulating energy use can be a complicated task – especially during the evening when backup power supply is limited. Let’s say you return home from work with the family and things kick into high gear for the evening. You start dinner, while the water heater switches on for another family member taking a shower. Then, your partner puts some clothes in the washer and turns on the TV. Sound like a typical family night? It doesn’t take much for all of this energy use to get out of hand if you are relying on battery backup alone. Luckily, installing an energy management system can be a complete game changer, helping you to prioritize your energy use.

A smart energy management system like the Lumin Smart Panel can access all of the connected circuits in your home – the very ones that power your favorite and most needed appliances. Using the Lumin app, you can set a power limit with the maximum amount of electricity you want to consume a day when off grid. To keep within that limit, you’ll be asked to prioritize your appliances from most important to least. When necessary, the Lumin Smart Panel will automatically deactivate any lower priority appliances that may contribute to your battery depleting too quickly. This extends your battery run time and keeps your electrical consumption in check. Using the Lumin App’s real-time data, you’ll be able to better predict what your energy bill will look like each month.

A solar + storage system is a great way to start lowering your utility bills, but this solution has its limitations. With the Lumin Smart Panel, you don’t have to self-manage your energy use when solar energy isn’t actively charging your battery at night.  Once off-grid, the system will automatically take on this task, based on your preferences. And all of this is flexible. If you change your mind and want to reprioritize specific appliances, you can do so at any time. Any appliances that have been deactivated by the system remain on-demand.

At Lumin, we want to empower homeowners to use their energy on their own terms. For many, that means generating as many savings as possible along the way. The Lumin Smart Panel provides homeowners with several unique features to help them fully customize their daily energy use including real-time energy analytics, circuit scheduling, automation and battery state of charge settings. And the savings don’t just stop there, many homeowners also have access to rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act when they purchase a Lumin Smart Panel. Get Lumin and start saving.