Question: Can you offset your home A/C usage by plugging into 240v port?

[batlag]

Hey guys,

I can’t seem to find info on this so coming to y’all.

I’m thinking: since Power Share can’t be used like a Power Wall to offset your energy usage during peak…..can I just plug one of our A/C compressor units directly to into the 240v plug on the CT? Presumably, when energy cost is much higher between 4-9 pm here, I could just run an extension directly to the CT and power it from that. What do you think?

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[Gurule92]

If theres a plug on it and it can connect to the truck and the amperage is less than the truck can push then yes.

I would suggest checking out the generator plug posts on here.

You just hook the truck up and it can take over whatever circuits you want

 

[M0unt41nm4n]

Hey guys,

I can’t seem to find info on this so coming to y’all.

I’m thinking: since Power Share can’t be used like a Power Wall to offset your energy usage during peak…..can I just plug one of our A/C compressor units directly to into the 240v plug on the CT? Presumably, when energy cost is much higher between 4-9 pm here, I could just run an extension directly to the CT and power it from that. What do you think?

Your main issue is you will significantly shorten the truck’s battery life. These batteries only have so many full charges in them and they degrade over time. Putting it under that kind of use as well as driving it could cut its life significantly short. If you really want to go that direction, just put in a Powerwall. It will be cheaper for you in the long run as I would hazard to guess a new CT battery is likely more pricey than a powerwall.

 

[batlag]

If theres a plug on it and it can connect to the truck and the amperage is less than the truck can push then yes.

I would suggest checking out the generator plug posts on here.

You just hook the truck up and it can take over whatever circuits you want

Great idea!

 

[batlag]

Your main issue is you will significantly shorten the truck’s battery life. These batteries only have so many full charges in them and they degrade over time. Putting it under that kind of use as well as driving it could cut its life significantly short. If you really want to go that direction, just put in a Powerwall. It will be cheaper for you in the long run as I would hazard to guess a new CT battery is likely more pricey than a powerwall.

I was thinking it would degrade it faster, certainly, but didn’t realize significantly so. Probably not worth it then for a few dollars I would save in energy

 

[akenis]

Agree with others. Also note LRA (locked router amerage) requirement on your AC unit. This is the jolt of amps required to get things moving. PowerShare says limited to 110. PowerWall 3 can go up to 185.

My main AC is 124 LRA. Pool heat pump says 145. I would need a soft start device if relying on PowerShare alone.

The outlet is rated for 40 Amps, but doesn't specify LRA.

 

[Cybergirl]

There's cheaper electric power, and then there's "free" electric power. Free in the sense that you generate your own power from solar panels on your roof. I live in NW Illinois and have $0.00 electric bills all summer long despite air conditioning and charging my two EVs (Model Y and Cybertruck). I do not have a Powerwall. Yes, there's an up front investment to achieve this. I say 'investment' because that's what it is, and the ROI can be calculated to help you decide if it's worth it. There are many variables that go into the calculation so it's not possible to say if it's something you should do without a detailed analysis.

In my case it turned out to be well worth it given federal and state incentives including net metering and hourly pricing offered by my utility. Utility rules forbade adding a battery for buying cheap energy at night and exporting it to the grid during the day. I am permitted to export excess solar power directly to the grid, however, effectively using the grid as an infinite capacity battery with net metering.

BTW, I only run my A/C from midnight to 6 am when electric rates are very low. My house is well insulated. Most summer days, the interior temperature will rise from 72F to 78F over the course of the day (from 6 am to midnight). If the indoor temperature should exceed 78F on exceptionally hot days, the A/C is programmed to turn on. Even if your house is not well insulated, this strategy can save money by delaying A/C power consumption when rates are highest.

Using CT's battery to run your house A/C when electric rates are exceptionally high is not a bad idea as long as you don't over do it. I've seen rates jump to over a dollar per kWh at times when on the hourly pricing plan. An A/C that draws 20 amps at 240V (4800 watts) which is run off the battery from 4 pm to 7 pm daily when hourly rates are often at their highest, will consume about 15 kWh (13%) of the CT's battery capacity. Under those restrictions, degradation of the Cybertruck's battery shouldn't be a concern, in my opinion. The difficulty with this strategy is how to automate it in compliance with electrical codes.

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