Tesla Powerwall › Problems
Powerwall home keeps importing from the grid, bill higher than expected
The home keeps drawing power from the grid when the Powerwall and solar should cover it, or the bill is higher than the Tesla app suggests. This page covers what to check first and the causes behind it.
What to check first
- Compare the grid use your supplier or smart meter records with what the Tesla app shows for the same day. In the UK, if the meter shows a steady flow while the Powerwall shows 0 W to the grid, ask your supplier about swapping the meter.
- In the app, compare the charge level with the backup reserve. If the Powerwall charges from the grid only while it is below the reserve, set the reserve at or below the current charge level.
- If the grid draw started with a Storm Watch event and opting out didn't stop it, turn Storm Watch off entirely. Storm Watch also charges from the grid during peak hours when severe weather is forecast.
- If the house draws a small, steady amount from the grid even with full batteries, ask Tesla Powerwall Support to check the gateway's time zone and grid-charging setting, with remote service access turned on.
- If power swings in and out of the grid all day with a full battery, note whether the swings stop when the system runs off grid, and tell your installer.
- If the supplier still records far more than the app, it needs your installer, who can compare the installer portal's data for your site with your utility's real-time monitoring.
The causes and the fixes
Partners see the causes behind this problem, most common first, the checks that tell them apart, and the fix for each, with part numbers and recent prices when a part is involved.