Why tariffs matter with a GivEnergy battery

A GivEnergy battery allows you to decide when you import energy — not just how much. Instead of paying the same price all day, you can choose a tariff that offers cheaper rates at certain times. Your system can then:

• Charge during cheap or green periods (often overnight)
• Discharge during expensive peak periods to power your home
• Use solar generation to cover daytime loads and top up the battery if installed

This simple behaviour is the foundation of most energy savings for GivEnergy users.

Types of tariffs to consider

Time-of-use (TOU) tariffs

These tariffs offer fixed cheap and peak periods throughout the day. Examples include:

• Economy 7 – 7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight
• Economy 10 – 10 hours of cheaper electricity spread across day and night

These work extremely well with a battery because you can reliably fill the battery when electricity is cheap and use it when prices rise.

Dynamic tariffs

Dynamic tariffs adjust prices throughout the day based on demand and renewable generation. Some half-hourly tariffs can even offer extremely low or negative prices during high-wind periods. Examples include:

• Smart/dynamic half-hourly tariffs
• EV-specific smart tariffs with extended cheap windows

With a GivEnergy battery, you can target the cheapest windows and automate charging behaviour to maximise savings.

Step 1 - Understand your energy usage and goals

Before choosing a tariff, review how your household uses energy:

• Average daily usage: Check your smart meter, bills, or the GivEnergy app/portal.
• Peak usage patterns: Early evening is typically the most expensive time.
• Solar generation (if applicable): Understand how much surplus you export and when.
• Special loads: EV charging, heat pumps, and appliances that can be shifted to cheaper windows.

This helps you choose a tariff whose cheap window and price structure match your routine.

Step 2 - Prioritise time-of-use or smart tariffs

A flat-rate tariff does not unlock the full value of a battery system. Instead, look for a tariff that offers:

• Cheap overnight rates — ideal for fully or partially charging the battery
• Peak-time rates — high enough that discharging the battery saves you money
• Clear cheap windows — long enough to fill your battery
• Eligibility that fits your home — EV, heat pump, or battery-focused smart tariffs

On the right tariff, shifting usage can reduce your daytime electricity cost by a large margin.

Step 3 - Consider your export tariff

If you have solar panels, you can earn money by exporting surplus electricity through a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff.

• Compare export rates between suppliers
• Check whether export must be with the same supplier as your import
• Decide whether your priority is offsetting import or maximising export income

Step 4 - Set your daily routine around your tariff

Once your tariff is chosen, your daily routine becomes simple:

1. Charge the battery during the cheap window (e.g., 6 hours overnight)
2. Use the battery through the day to avoid peak-rate import
3. Use solar to cover daytime loads and top up the battery if available
4. Shift high-draw appliances like EV charging, washing machines, and dryers to cheap windows

Step 5 - Use GivEnergy settings or smart integrations

Your GivEnergy system can optimise charging and discharging based on your tariff:

• Manual charge windows: Set your off-peak hours in the GivEnergy portal or app.
• Smart tariff integrations: Some tariffs automatically send pricing data to GivEnergy.
• Dynamic tariff automation: Use integrations or schedules to target the cheapest half-hours.

Correct tariff setup ensures the system behaves as expected.

Troubleshooting

• If your tariff details are not set correctly in the GivEnergy app or portal, your system may not optimise charging.
• If the system isn’t charging overnight as expected, double-check your charge schedule.
• If you’re on a smart tariff, ensure your meter and supplier account are fully activated.

Summary

• Your battery lets you shift when you buy electricity — that’s your superpower.
• A good tariff + the right schedule = major savings.
• Choose a tariff with a reliable cheap window, fair peak rate, and an export rate suited to your setup.
• Let your GivEnergy system automate the rest.