Introduction: The Energy Challenge for Australian SMEs

In today’s economic environment, Australian SMEs are under increasing pressure to manage operating costs—energy bills being one of the most unpredictable and burdensome. Jousto, a smart energy automation company based in South Australia, offers a zero-effort solution that empowers small and medium-sized enterprises to dramatically reduce their power bills.

By leveraging automation, integrating with solar and battery storage systems, and making real-time decisions based on wholesale electricity prices, Jousto optimises every watt of energy used. For time-poor business owners, this hands-off system represents a breakthrough in both convenience and cost savings.

Rising energy prices are hitting Australian SMEs hard. Whether you're a café, retail outlet, gym, or manufacturing workshop, electricity bills are a constant pain point. Many businesses still operate on default retail energy plans, missing opportunities for cheaper alternatives or strategic usage.

The problem? Most SME owners don’t have the time or expertise to micro-manage energy plans, track price fluctuations, or control energy-intensive devices throughout the day.

This is where Jousto steps in—providing a comprehensive, automated platform to optimise energy usage with no need for ongoing management. Their focus? Helping SMEs save more by doing less.

Jousto's Core Approach to SME Energy Cost Reduction: Smart Automation

Zero-Effort Energy Intelligence

At the core of Jousto’s solution is smart energy automation—a set of tools that:

• Automate when and how energy is used

• React to real-time solar generation and market prices

• Integrate seamlessly with existing or future solar and battery systems

• Schedule energy-heavy tasks for optimal cost savings

This approach is especially effective for SMEs with variable operating hours, solar systems, or large equipment loads.

Whether you run a bakery with ovens on all morning or an office with peak cooling needs in summer, Jousto ensures you’re using the cheapest and cleanest energy available, automatically.

Key Features and Services for SMEs: Automating Savings

Jousto offers a powerful toolkit of features that turn energy from a cost centre into a strategic asset.

📊 Detailed Energy Reporting

Jousto begins with energy data. Their platform provides real-time visibility into how each device or system in your business consumes power. This reporting:

• Identifies energy-intensive operations

• Flags inefficiencies

• Supports smarter planning

And most importantly—it’s all automated and easy to digest. No spreadsheets or complex dashboards.

☀️ Solar Optimisation

If your business has rooftop solar, Jousto ensures you get the maximum value from every kilowatt. The system can:

• Automatically run appliances during solar surplus

• Shift load-heavy tasks to peak solar periods

• Prevent exports during negative wholesale pricing, avoiding bill shocks

This increases your solar self-consumption rate, the #1 driver of ROI for solar-equipped businesses.

⚡ Wholesale Energy Automation

Even if you don’t have solar, you can still take advantage of wholesale market pricing. Jousto monitors energy prices (via providers like Amber Electric and Local Volts) and automates usage accordingly:

• Run equipment when energy is cheapest

• Delay non-urgent tasks during high-price periods

• Always consume with pricing in mind

You don’t need to understand the market—Jousto does it all for you.

🔋 Battery Smart Charging & Sell-Back

For businesses with battery storage, Jousto unlocks even more savings:

• Charge batteries when prices are low or solar is abundant

• Discharge when prices peak

• Even sell back to the grid when it’s profitable

This strategy enhances ROI and provides resilience against price volatility.

🔄 Dynamic Export Limiting

Some networks restrict how much solar you can export. Jousto dynamically limits exports to:

• Stay compliant with grid rules

• Prioritise on-site energy use

• Avoid low or negative export prices

This helps SMEs extract maximum value from their generation without regulatory hassle.

🔁 Automated Inverter Mode Switching

Using Home Assistant integration, Jousto automatically switches inverter modes based on:

• Market price changes

• Solar generation conditions

• Battery storage levels

No app fiddling. No manual overrides. Just automated efficiency.

Mechanisms for "Zero Effort" Savings: The Power of Automation

Jousto's promise of “zero effort” energy savings isn’t just marketing—it’s the result of sophisticated engineering.

Here's how it works:

1. Real-time monitoring: Energy use, solar output, battery levels, market prices—all tracked continuously

2. Smart rules & algorithms: Automated decisions based on usage patterns and market signals

3. Device control: Connects with appliances, inverters, and batteries to act instantly

4. Home Assistant backbone: Flexible automation platform compatible with thousands of devices

5. Tariff optimisation: Navigates complex peak, off-peak, and demand charges to use power efficiently

This level of automation means no learning curve for SME owners. Once installed, Jousto quietly works in the background, delivering savings day after day.

Benefits for Australian SMEs Using Jousto

Let’s break down the key business benefits of adopting Jousto.

💰 1. Significant Reduction in Power Bills

Jousto’s automation cuts costs by:

• Shifting usage to low-cost times

• Avoiding price spikes

• Maximising self-consumption of solar and battery

Real-world users report double-digit percentage savings—without changing behaviour.

⏱️ 2. Time Savings & Convenience

Forget energy spreadsheets and tariff comparisons. Jousto handles it all, letting you focus on running your business—not managing kilowatts.

☀️ 3. Maximised ROI on Solar and Battery

Already installed solar or a battery? Jousto helps you get more out of your investment by:

• Avoiding exports at low prices

• Using stored power when grid prices peak

• Charging and discharging at the right times

📉 4. Protection from Energy Price Volatility

As electricity prices swing wildly across Australia, Jousto ensures you:

• Lock in savings

• Avoid unnecessary peaks

• Ride the pricing wave instead of fighting it

🌱 5. Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Using more solar and less grid energy not only saves money—it also cuts your carbon footprint. Great for the planet, and great for your brand.

🧠 6. Easy to Use—No Energy Expertise Needed

Jousto is built for busy business owners. You don’t need to understand energy markets or automation code. Just set it up and let it run.

Industry Use Cases: Where Jousto Works Best

🍞 Cafés and Bakeries

• Automate ovens, fridges, coffee machines

• Maximise daytime solar usage

• Run dishwashers when energy is cheap

🏋️‍♂️ Gyms and Fitness Studios

• Shift HVAC load to lower-cost hours

• Power cardio equipment or lighting using solar

• Reduce overnight standby power waste

🏬 Retail Stores

• Automate lighting and signage

• Run POS, fridges, and heating more efficiently

• Manage HVAC during business hours only

🛠️ Workshops and Manufacturing

• Time heavy machinery for off-peak

• Automate air compressors, tools, and ventilation

• Sell back power when grid prices spike

Jousto + Independent Solar Design: The Ultimate Combo

If your business is planning a solar installation, consider pairing Jousto with independent solar design. Here’s why:

Together, they deliver a complete energy strategy—from design to daily optimisation.

Getting Started: What SMEs Need to Know

Is Jousto Right for My Business?

If you:

• Use over $1,000/year in electricity

• Have solar, battery, or are on a wholesale pricing plan

• Want to reduce costs without adding complexity

…then Jousto is built for you.

What Do I Need to Use It?

• A stable internet connection

• A compatible inverter and smart device support (Jousto can advise)

• 1–2 hours for initial setup—after that, it runs itself

What’s the ROI?

Many businesses see payback in under 12 months, depending on usage patterns, solar generation, and market pricing.

Conclusion: Why Jousto Makes Sense for Australian SMEs

Jousto delivers what most small business owners desperately want from an energy solution:

• It saves money

• It doesn’t require ongoing attention

• It works with your current setup

• It reduces risk and boosts sustainability

With power bills rising and margins tightening, now is the time for SMEs to take control—and automate their energy savings.

Jousto removes the complexity and delivers tangible results, making it one of the most valuable, hands-off tools for cost-conscious Australian businesses today.

✅ Ready to Cut Power Bills Without Lifting a Finger?

Discover how Jousto can optimise your energy use and start saving your business money today.

👉 Explore Jousto’s SME solutions now

Smarter energy. Zero hassle. Real savings.