Graham - Melbourne, Victoria

Household

Graham and his wife live in a single-storey, three-bedroom weatherboard home in Melbourne. Over the years they've improved the home's energy efficiency with insulation and double glazing, and are gradually transitioning away from gas, with hot water the final appliance left to electrify. Their split-system heating and cooling is used mainly in the late afternoon and evening, and like many households, most other appliances are still used during the peak evening period.

Making the Most of Existing Solar

After previously installing a 10 kW solar system with 1KOMMA5°, Graham recently added a 34 kWh battery and connected to Heartbeat AI to maximise the energy his solar generates.

Retired and home for much of the day, they also travel regularly, meaning they have extended periods where they don’t use their electricity at all.

The battery gives Graham confidence that he can use electricity when it suits him at any time of day, while Heartbeat AI intelligently manages charging and selling opportunities on the wholesale electricity market in the background—which he particularly values when they are away travelling, being able to sell more unused electricity to the grid.

"Watching the pricing, forecasts and seeing the system make decisions has been fascinating."

A Smooth Experience

From installation through to onboarding, Graham found the experience straightforward and well supported. He also appreciated the clear communication and guidance throughout the setup process, making it easy to get up and running with Heartbeat AI.

"The whole setup process and new system are working fine. The app is easy to understand after a short learning process." 

The Results

Since adding a 34 kWh battery to his existing 10 kW solar system, Graham has been saving approximately $80 per month by storing more of his own solar energy and using it during peak periods, rather than purchasing at high prices from the grid.

While Heartbeat AI delivered only modest additional savings during this initial period, (autumn typically experiences relatively stable wholesale electricity prices without price spikes), limiting opportunities for optimisation. As summer approaches with higher solar generation and greater wholesale price volatility, Heartbeat AI and therefore Graham's overall energy savings, are expected to increase.