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Tesla's Powerwall 3 now tells heat pumps to store extra heat when electricity is cheap

The heating schedule follows solar output and power prices.

A Tesla Powerwall 3.

Photo Credit: Tesla

When a compatible heat pump is paired with Tesla's Powerwall 3, the result is cheap electricity and spare solar power that can trim home heating bills.

The new Heat Pump Optimization feature automatically adjusts when heating systems increase their output, leading to heat that can be stored for later use.

Here's what to know

Drive Tesla Canada reported that Tesla Energy has opened the feature to Powerwall 3 and Powerwall 3P owners in Europe. The heating schedule follows solar output and power prices.

A compatible heat pump can take commands from a separate controller, which lets it time extra heat production with Powerwall. The company's installation guide calls these Smart Grid Ready, or SG-Ready, heat pumps.

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More background

The extra heat from the Heat Pump Optimization feature goes into a hot water tank or buffer tank, so the user can cover later heating needs with leftover solar or power bought at lower prices.

The feature runs in one of two modes, according to the installation guide. In Boosted mode, the heat pump turns its temperature setting up to store more heat. Normal mode, by contrast, keeps the heat pump on its usual thermostat schedule.

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When Powerwall runs in Self-Powered mode, a solar surplus switches the heat pump into Boosted mode. In Savings mode, cheap electricity can trigger the switch, too, which helps move heating away from higher-priced hours.

What's being done?

The heat pump doesn't stay boosted indefinitely. Tesla Energy says its controls automatically restore Normal mode if electricity becomes more expensive or solar output falls.

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A North American release schedule is unannounced, and Tesla hasn't confirmed the heating feature for Canada, even though Canadian buyers have had access to Powerwall 3 since May 2024.

"Heat Pump Optimization allows your Powerwall to boost heating when there's surplus solar or energy is inexpensive, helping you save money when rates are high," Tesla Energy wrote in a post on the social platform X.

Where can I learn more?

Tesla's heat pump feature is only one way to use surplus solar power and cheaper electricity.

• A 300-liter water heater rivals a Tesla Powerwall in both functionality and cost.

• In Tucson, rain disrupted a Powerwall's solar before it grid-charged ahead of peak rates.

• In California, a Powerwall exported solar at 88%.

• U.K. electricity customers said Powerwall charged at higher rates while pursuing export opportunities.

• In the U.K., Powerwall 3 calibration drained an owner's battery during peak-rate hours.

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