Spring Equinox? For nerds, that means lower bills.
By
Kiana Kazemi
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The spring equinox is here, which means longer days and shorter nights. Let’s dive into the obvious and not-so-obvious ways that longer, sunnier days lower your heating bills - and how Harvest can help you harmonize with the season.
How Energy Consumption Works on the Grid
The energy grid operates by balancing supply and demand. However, electricity generation is not as simple as switching a light on or off—it's a highly complex system that requires constant coordination.
During peak demand hours—typically late afternoons and evenings—more energy is needed than the grid can supply with its baseload power plants. Those plants get their juice all over the place - from coal to solar. A balancing authority (like CAISO in California) ensures that power system demand and supply are always balanced.
Peak demand energy use is expensive and resource-intensive. This is where load shifting comes in.
Load Shifting 101
Load shifting is all about moving electricity consumption from peak periods to off-peak hours. Think of it like rescheduling your energy use to avoid the rush hour of electricity demand. By shifting your consumption to times when energy is cheaper, you can save significantly on your energy bills. In many utilities - like PG&E - the cheapest and cleanest time to use energy is the middle of the day, when there’s a lot of sun, and solar energy, on the grid.
During peak demand times—such as afternoons and evenings—energy prices tend to spike because the grid is under more strain. During these times, “peaker plants” fire up - and that usually means burning methane. By shifting your energy-intensive activities (like running the dishwasher or charging electric vehicles) to off-peak times, you can take advantage of lower energy prices.
As the days become longer and warmer, your heating and cooling needs may shift. When energy prices are lower during off-peak hours—such as late at night or early in the morning—this is when you should be using your energy-intensive appliances. By shifting your usage patterns, you can lower your bills without sacrificing comfort.
You’ll naturally use less heating as temperatures rise. But hot water and occasional heating are still needed in the mornings and evenings, when there’s less sun. That’s where smart load shifting makes a difference. Harvest runs your heat pump in the middle of the day—when the heat pump is more efficient and when there’s excess solar energy. The sunnier the season, the more clean energy we can capture and store for when you actually need it.
Load shifting could save up to 34% in costs and 19% in emissions. Not too shabby for just changing when you use energy.
How Harvest Makes It Easy
The Harvest Pod learns your heating usage patterns to optimize your home’s energy usage. Harvest can automatically shift your energy consumption to times when it’s the least costly (and cleanest), helping you save around 30% on your energy bills. Our solution works by storing energy during off-peak hours and releasing it when needed, all while making sure your home stays comfortable and your energy costs remain manageable.
The arrival of spring is a reminder that, just like nature, our energy consumption patterns change with the seasons. With a little foresight and the right tools, you can take advantage of these shifts, saving money and reducing your carbon footprint. We’re here to help you navigate this transition and make energy management effortless.
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