Strategic use of your Airspool system can turn these expensive hours into a non-issue.
The Strategy: Shift and Shave
1. Shift Your Panels
If possible, set up your Airspool solar panels with a Southwest-facing orientation. This shifts your solar production "bell curve" later into the afternoon, providing free power exactly when the utility starts their peak pricing.
2. Pre-Cool Your Space
Run your unit hard heading into the 4 PM peak. By "blowing past" your setpoint and cooling the room down to 68°F or 70°F while power is cheaper (or free from the sun), you create a thermal buffer.
3. Use Smart Scheduling
Get a Kasa Smart Outdoor Plug (available for under $20) to manage your Airspool unit’s grid connection:
- The Hard Cut: Schedule the plug to cut grid power entirely during the peak 4 PM - 9 PM window. Your Airspool will continue to run on any remaining solar power but will refuse to pull the expensive $0.40/kWh grid power.
- The Interval Tactic: If you can't go the full 5 hours without grid power, schedule the plug for 15-minute bursts (e.g., 5:15-5:30) to maintain comfort while still significantly reducing your peak usage.
4. AC Limiter Mode
Don't forget that Airspool units have a native AC Limiter Mode. You can set the unit to never pull more than 300 watts from the grid, allowing the compressor to keep running at a slow, efficient speed without breaking the bank.
Take the thumb of the utility off your neck. Combine solar power with smart scheduling to win the TOU game.
