Hi everyone, I’m working on a Python project to optimize appliance scheduling to reduce energy bills, especially for those with dynamic hourly rates. Let me share my approach and see if anyone has similar experiences or suggestions!
The idea is to run appliances during the cheapest hours based on the next day’s energy rates. For instance, a washing machine program that costs 0.15 euros if started at 11:38 AM could cost nearly 0.30 euros if started at 11:00 AM. The challenge is calculating the optimal start time to minimize costs.
I’ve measured my washing machine’s power consumption over time and cross-referenced it with hourly energy rates. The goal is to align the bulk of energy usage with the lowest rates. I’ve created a Python script that analyzes these curves and determines the best start time.
Here’s a simplified version of the script logic:
- Fetch the next day’s energy rates.
- Analyze the appliance’s power consumption profile.
- Calculate the total cost for each possible start time.
- Select the start time with the lowest cost.
I’d love to hear if anyone has implemented something similar or has tips on integrating this with Home Assistant for automated scheduling. Let’s discuss how we can make this more efficient or user-friendly!
Thank you for your insights and keep the conversation flowing! 