The short answer
Run flexible appliances during useful generation where it is safe and practical. The goal is to replace grid imports at the same time the panels generate, not simply to maximise total electricity use.
Start with your background demand
Fridges, routers, ventilation and standby loads create a baseline. Plug-in solar can contribute to that demand before you deliberately move any appliance use.
Shift flexible loads carefully
- Use appliance delay timers where the manufacturer supports them.
- Avoid creating a new peak by starting everything together.
- Do not run appliances unattended when their safety guidance says otherwise.
- Track import readings rather than assuming every sunny hour saves the same amount.
When a battery is a different decision
If most electricity use is after sunset, a solar-only kit may export more surplus. A separately designed home battery can address that timing mismatch, but it is outside the current plug-in solar route.
Source check: 14 September 2026
Prepared from the linked sources. This is guidance, not a product certification or an assessment of your home. Tell us about a correction.