Grid Getter FAQ | Powerwall Automation & Demand Charges

General Questions

What is Grid Getter?

Grid Getter is an intelligent automation platform for Tesla Powerwall owners. We help you reduce peak demand charges and optimize your energy usage with smart automations, real-time monitoring, and advanced features like DemandGuard.

How does Grid Getter work?

Grid Getter connects directly to your Tesla Powerwall via your Tesla account's API. We monitor your real-time energy usage and automatically coordinate your Powerwall based on rules you set (or that DemandGuard sets for you). Everything happens instantly without any manual input.

Do I really need a credit card to start?

Nope. Create your account with just an email. No payment information is requested or required for the free tier.

Can I upgrade later?

Yes. Start free and upgrade to Premium anytime if you need more automations or faster refresh rates. Easy one-click upgrade.

What if I want to cancel?

Your free account is yours forever. We never sell your data, but if you wish for us to delete it permanently, visit Account Deletion and follow the steps.

Getting Started

How do I set up Grid Getter?

Takes about 5 minutes: 1) Create your account with an email, 2) Link your Tesla Powerwall through your existing Tesla account, 3) Configure your first automation rule or enable DemandGuard, 4) Done! Your automations run automatically.

Which Tesla Powerwalls are supported?

Grid Getter works with any Tesla Powerwall that can be accessed through the Tesla API. This includes newer Powerwalls with API access. Check with Tesla if your specific model is compatible.

Do I need to install anything in my home?

Nope. Grid Getter integrates directly with your existing Tesla Powerwall. No additional hardware or installation needed.

Can I control multiple Powerwalls?

Currently, Grid Getter supports single Powerwall accounts. If you have multiple Powerwalls, each would need a separate Grid Getter account.

Pricing & Plans

What's included in the Free plan?

Live dashboard with regular updates, one custom automation rule, standard refresh rate, and unlimited access to your energy data and history.

What's the difference between Free and Premium?

Premium unlocks: unlimited custom automations, faster dashboard refresh rates, and advanced scheduling options. Free includes one automation, which works great for many users.

What is DemandGuard and when should I use it?

DemandGuard is Grid Getter's flagship feature for utilities with demand charges. You set a grid-draw target (e.g., "8 kW"), and DemandGuard automatically coordinates your Powerwall to keep demand within that limit. It's included in the Premium + DemandGuard plan and is perfect for reducing peak demand charges and achieving predictable utility bills.

Is DemandGuard included in the Free plan?

No. DemandGuard is part of the Premium + DemandGuard tier. The free tier includes live monitoring and one custom automation. Upgrade to Premium + DemandGuard to unlock this feature.

Can I switch plans?

Yes. Upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime from your account settings. Changes take effect immediately.

Is there a yearly discount?

Yes. Both Premium and Premium + DemandGuard offer annual billing options with a discount. Check the pricing page for current rates.

Demand Charges & Peak Periods

What are demand charges?

Demand charges are billed based on your highest on-peak power draw during a billing period (typically measured in 15–60 minute intervals). Unlike energy charges (per kWh), a single brief spike can inflate your entire month's bill by $100-$500+. This is why they're often called "surprise charges."

What are peak periods?

Peak periods are times when the grid is most stressed—typically late afternoon and evening when most people return home and turn on appliances, AC, and charge vehicles. Some utilities have different peak windows. Check your utility bill to see your peak hours.

Do all utilities charge demand charges?

No. Demand charges are common on commercial and industrial plans, and residential plans in certain states (especially California, Texas, and the Southwest). Check your utility bill for a "demand charge" or "peak demand" line item. If you see it, Grid Getter and DemandGuard can help.

How much can I save with DemandGuard?

Savings vary widely based on your utility's demand charge rates, your current demand, and your Powerwall capacity. Peak demand charges can add $500-$2,000+ annually. DemandGuard can reduce or eliminate these charges by keeping demand within your target. See your utility bill to estimate your potential savings.

Why do I need a Powerwall if demand charges are the problem?

Great question! Peak periods often extend into early morning and evening when there's no sun and solar can't help. Powerwalls provide stored energy to cover these times. Grid Getter + DemandGuard makes your Powerwall investment work smarter by ensuring it provides the maximum benefit during peak hours.

DemandGuard

How do I choose the right demand target for DemandGuard?

Review your last 3–6 months of utility bills to see your peak demand history. Start with a target 10–20% below your current peak, then adjust over time as you see what works best for your home. DemandGuard will continuously protect you within your target.

What if my demand still exceeds my DemandGuard target?

DemandGuard enforces your limit within the constraints of your battery's available charge. If your home's actual power demand exceeds your target and your battery is depleted, demand charges will reflect the overage. The key is setting a realistic target that matches your Powerwall capacity.

Does DemandGuard work with partial solar + battery?

Yes. DemandGuard works with any Powerwall setup. It intelligently uses available battery storage to smooth demand spikes during peak hours, regardless of solar production.

Can I disable or override DemandGuard?

Yes. You always have full manual control. Override or disable DemandGuard anytime through the Grid Getter app if you need to prioritize comfort or other needs. You can re-enable it whenever you want.

How often does DemandGuard check and adjust?

DemandGuard monitors your power usage continuously during peak hours and adjusts battery output based on your utility's billing intervals (typically 30–60 minutes). It resets at each interval boundary to ensure fair distribution of battery use.

Will DemandGuard drain my battery too quickly?

No. DemandGuard is designed to preserve battery health by spreading power draws across peak intervals instead of rapid discharge cycles. This is gentler on your battery chemistry and extends its lifespan.

Automations & Features

What can I automate with Grid Getter?

You can create rules to automate: Powerwall charge/discharge based on time or grid conditions, shift loads to low-cost periods, schedule device cycles, monitor battery performance, set alerts for anomalies, and more. Premium unlocks unlimited automations.

Is one automation enough?

For most users, yes. One well-configured rule targeting peak pricing can save hundreds annually. Many users never need more than one. But if you want advanced control, Premium unlocks unlimited automations.

What are Anomaly Checks?

Anomaly Checks monitor your battery's performance during peak hours. If your battery percentage deviates from its typical weekly average at that time, you get notified. This helps ensure optimal battery readiness when you need it most.

Can I get notifications when something happens?

Yes. Grid Getter sends real-time notifications about your Powerwall status, automation events, and peak period alerts. You control which notifications you receive.

Is the mobile app a full experience?

Currently, the mobile app provides real-time notifications about your Powerwall and solar system. Full app features (real-time monitoring, automation management, Powerwall control) are coming soon. You can join the beta now to be first in line.

Security & Privacy

How secure is Grid Getter?

All data is transmitted over HTTPS with industry-standard encryption. We do not store your passwords or payment processing information. You can revoke our access to your Powerwall at any time through your Tesla account settings.

Can you see my energy data?

Yes. To provide the dashboard and automations, we retrieve your Powerwall and solar data via your Tesla account's API. Access is limited to the data you authorize, transmitted over HTTPS, stored securely, and you can revoke access anytime.

Do you sell my data?

No. We never sell your personal information or energy data to third parties. Ever. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

What data do you store about me?

We store your email, account settings, automation rules, and aggregated energy data to power the dashboard and automations. You can permanently delete your data at any time via Account Deletion.

How do I revoke Grid Getter's access?

Go to your Tesla account settings, find "Third-party access," locate Grid Getter, and revoke access. Alternatively, delete your Grid Getter account, which automatically revokes our API access.

Technical & Billing

What devices does the web dashboard work on?

Grid Getter's web dashboard works on any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) on desktop, tablet, or mobile. It's fully responsive and optimized for all screen sizes.

How often does the dashboard refresh?

The Free plan updates regularly (typically every few minutes). The Premium plan offers faster refresh rates for tighter real-time control. Check your plan details for specific refresh intervals.

What if I have billing issues?

Contact us through the Grid Getter app using the help menu. Our team will help resolve any billing questions or issues within 24 hours.

Can I request a refund?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on Premium plans. If you're not satisfied, contact us for a full refund, no questions asked.

What happens if Grid Getter goes down?

If our service is temporarily unavailable, your automations pause (they don't run), but you retain full manual control of your Powerwall through the Tesla app. Your data is safe. We aim for 99.9% uptime.

Can you integrate with my solar inverter or other home devices?

Currently, Grid Getter works specifically with Tesla Powerwall systems. We're exploring additional integrations in the future. Let us know if you have a specific device in mind!

Frequently Asked Questions