The 'Aircon for Amber' automation plan adjusts your split system reverse-cycle air conditioner temperature based on your Amber buy price. The temperature movements are within the range that you nominate so you are never outside your comfort zone.
When does the automation run?
Amber refresh their price every 5 minutes, so that's how often we check it. When the Amber price moves above or below the prices that you nominate, the temperature will get adjusted. Depending on the prices you set, this will usually be as the prices are reaching daily highs or lows - but a narrower range will cause more frequent adjustments. For example, you may nominate a low price of 0.5c and a high price of 0.50c and set your aircon comfort zone range as being between 19 to 23 degrees. If your aircon is running and the price drops to 0.5c or below your aircon temperature would be adjusted to 19 degrees to increase your aircon load and cool your home, making the most of the low price. If the price increases to 0.50c or above your aircon temperature would be adjusted to 23 degrees to reduce your aircon load and decrease energy use whilst the price is high. Once the price changes to an amount inside your price range (between 0.5c and 0.50c in the example), your aircon temperature will be returned to its previous temperature setting. Because we check the prices every 5 minutes, it could be a very brief adjustment in order to avoid a temporary price spike. Generally though, the temperature will remain in an adjusted state for the duration of the low or high price event, which could be for several hours at a time.
How do you access my Amber price?
Amber have a public API that is available to it's customers in order for them to create new and existing responses to price movements. When we access the Amber API we do so on your behalf, using an API Key that you provide us. When we use the Amber API we can access the prices for your premise, which includes the prices that you are buying energy for and also the prices that you are being paid for any surplus solar that you export. These are the prices we use when automating the appliances in your home. Amber does not share any of your private information with us through this API, and you can remove our access to the API at any time.
How do I maintain control?
You are always in control of your automations using the Voltello app. You set the prices that we monitor in order to decide if an automation should occur. You can set the prices high or low and we will respond accordingly. You set the temperature range that you would be comfortable with your aircon being set, and we only operate within that temperature range.
Do you turn my aircon on or off?
You decide if you would like your aircon to be turned on when prices are very low or negative, or if you would like your aircon turned off when prices go very high. We will never turn your aircon on or off unless you allowed this in your plan settings. You can adjust these settings or suspend your automation plan at any time in the Voltello app. It's very easy to do, and can be adjusted or reactivated again at any time you choose.