# FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Tibber Prices integration.

## General Questions

### Why don't I see tomorrow's prices yet?

Tomorrow's prices are published by Tibber around **13:00 CET** (12:00 UTC in winter, 11:00 UTC in summer).

- **Before publication**: Sensors show `unavailable` or use today's data
- **After publication**: Integration automatically fetches new data within 15 minutes
- **No manual refresh needed** - polling happens automatically

### How often does the integration update data?

- **API Polling**: Every 15 minutes
- **Sensor Updates**: On quarter-hour boundaries (00, 15, 30, 45 minutes)
- **Cache**: Price data cached until midnight (reduces API load)

### Can I use multiple Tibber homes?

Yes! Use the **"Add another home"** option:

1. Settings → Devices & Services → Tibber Prices
2. Click "Configure" → "Add another home"
3. Select additional home from dropdown
4. Each home gets separate sensors with unique entity IDs

### Does this work without a Tibber subscription?

No, you need:

- Active Tibber electricity contract
- API token from [developer.tibber.com](https://developer.tibber.com/)

The integration is free, but requires Tibber as your electricity provider.

## Configuration Questions

### What are good values for price thresholds?

**Default values work for most users:**

- High Price Threshold: 30% above average
- Low Price Threshold: 15% below average

**Adjust if:**

- You're in a market with high volatility → increase thresholds
- You want more sensitive ratings → decrease thresholds
- Seasonal changes → review every few months

### How do I optimize Best Price Period detection?

**Key parameters:**

- **Flex**: 15-20% is optimal (default 15%)
- **Min Distance**: 5-10% recommended (default 5%)
- **Rating Levels**: Start with "CHEAP + VERY_CHEAP" (default)
- **Relaxation**: Keep enabled (helps find periods on expensive days)

See [Period Calculation](period-calculation.md) for detailed tuning guide.

### Why do I sometimes only get 1 period instead of 2?

This happens on **high-price days** when:

- Few intervals meet your criteria
- Relaxation is disabled
- Flex is too low
- Min Distance is too strict

**Solutions:**

1. Enable relaxation (recommended)
2. Increase flex to 20-25%
3. Reduce min_distance to 3-5%
4. Add more rating levels (include "NORMAL")

## Troubleshooting

### Sensors show "unavailable"

**Common causes:**

1. **API Token invalid** → Check token at developer.tibber.com
2. **No internet connection** → Check HA network
3. **Tibber API down** → Check [status.tibber.com](https://status.tibber.com)
4. **Integration not loaded** → Restart Home Assistant

### Best Price Period is ON all day

This means **all intervals meet your criteria** (very cheap day!):

- Not an error - enjoy the low prices!
- Consider tightening filters (lower flex, higher min_distance)
- Or add automation to only run during first detected period

### Prices are in wrong currency or wrong units

**Currency** is determined by your Tibber subscription (cannot be changed).

**Display mode** (base vs. subunit) is configurable:

- Configure in: `Settings > Devices & Services > Tibber Prices > Configure`
- Options:
    - **Base currency**: €/kWh, kr/kWh (decimal values like 0.25)
    - **Subunit**: ct/kWh, øre/kWh (larger values like 25.00)
- Smart defaults: EUR → subunit, NOK/SEK/DKK → base currency

If you see unexpected units, check your configuration in the integration options.

### Tomorrow data not appearing at all

**Check:**

1. Your Tibber home has hourly price contract (not fixed price)
2. API token has correct permissions
3. Integration logs for API errors (`/config/home-assistant.log`)
4. Tibber actually published data (check Tibber app)

## Automation Questions

### How do I run dishwasher during cheap period?

```yaml
automation:
    - alias: "Dishwasher during Best Price"
      trigger:
          - platform: state
            entity_id: binary_sensor.tibber_home_best_price_period
            to: "on"
      condition:
          - condition: time
            after: "20:00:00" # Only start after 8 PM
      action:
          - service: switch.turn_on
            target:
                entity_id: switch.dishwasher
```

See [Automation Examples](automation-examples.md) for more recipes.

### Can I avoid peak prices automatically?

Yes! Use Peak Price Period binary sensor:

```yaml
automation:
    - alias: "Disable charging during peak prices"
      trigger:
          - platform: state
            entity_id: binary_sensor.tibber_home_peak_price_period
            to: "on"
      action:
          - service: switch.turn_off
            target:
                entity_id: switch.ev_charger
```

---

💡 **Still need help?**

- [Troubleshooting Guide](troubleshooting.md)
- [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/jpawlowski/hass.tibber_prices/issues)
