{"id":26012,"date":"2026-02-28T05:47:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T05:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/2026\/02\/28\/stop-buying-solar-panels-batteries-do-this-first\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T05:47:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T05:47:39","slug":"stop-buying-solar-panels-batteries-do-this-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/2026\/02\/28\/stop-buying-solar-panels-batteries-do-this-first\/","title":{"rendered":"STOP Buying Solar Panels &#038; Batteries! (Do This First)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"youtubomatic-video-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"autoplay\" width=\"580\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y96ClGLQ6oY?controls=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Stop guessing and start measuring. Most people make a massive, expensive mistake when going solar: they size their system based on a hunch. In this video, I\u2019m showing you the exact device you need to install before you buy a single solar panel, battery, or inverter.<br \/>The Refoss Open API Smart Energy Monitor is a game-changer for anyone looking to go DIY solar or just lower their electric bill. By collecting a year of data first, you can save thousands of dollars by not overbuilding (or under-sizing) your system. Plus, with its local Open API and Home Assistant integration, you get total privacy and the power to create smart automations that squeeze every watt out of your solar production.<\/p>\n<p>Buy the Refoss Open API Smart Energy Monitor EM16P: <a href=\"https:\/\/refoss.net\/collections\/open-platform-products\/products\/smart-energy-monitor-em16p?ref=trick\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/refoss.net\/collections\/open-platform-products\/products\/smart-energy-monitor-em16p?ref=trick<\/a> <br \/>Be sure and use the code TRICK8 and save an extra 8% off on your order!<br \/>OR buy on Amazon: <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3OI3xF6\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/amzn.to\/3OI3xF6<\/a> <br \/>(NOTE: Coupon code does not work on Amazon)<\/p>\n<p>Buy Refoss Smart Relay Switches: <a href=\"https:\/\/refoss.net\/collections\/frontpage?ref=trick\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/refoss.net\/collections\/frontpage?ref=trick<\/a> <br \/>Be sure and use the code TRICK8 and save extra cash on your order!<\/p>\n<p>Buy a multi-meter: <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4qO3pS8\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/amzn.to\/4qO3pS8<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Buy an EG4 12000XP Inverter: <a href=\"https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-12000xp-off-grid-inverter-eg412000xpv1\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-12000xp-off-grid-inverter-eg412000xpv1<\/a> <br \/>Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!<\/p>\n<p>Buy an EG4 Indoor Wall-Mount Battery: <a href=\"https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-indoor-wallmount-battery-48v-280ah-143kwh-fewmt-48143-g1\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-indoor-wallmount-battery-48v-280ah-143kwh-fewmt-48143-g1<\/a><br \/>Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!<\/p>\n<p>Buy an EG4 Chargeverter: <a href=\"https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-chargeverter-gc-48v-100a-battery-charger-5120w-output-eg4cv48v100av3\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-chargeverter-gc-48v-100a-battery-charger-5120w-output-eg4cv48v100av3<\/a> <br \/>Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!<\/p>\n<p>But a conduit box: <a href=\"https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-indoor-buildable-conduit-box-designed-for-eg4-wallmount-indoor-battery-eg4spidwmbcndtshrd\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/payoffsolar.com\/product\/eg4-indoor-buildable-conduit-box-designed-for-eg4-wallmount-indoor-battery-eg4spidwmbcndtshrd<\/a> <br \/>Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!<\/p>\n<p>Watch a video about my Tower of Power: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ar4289F7M6s\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/ar4289F7M6s<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>NEED HELP? Ask me a question and get a personal in depth response: <a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/s\/8d8df1880c\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/s\/8d8df1880c<\/a> <br \/>OR<br \/>Sit down for a personal 1-On-1 hour long video consultation with me and I\u2019ll provide answers and insights to anything you want to ask me about from this channel: <a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/s\/dd139831a7\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/s\/dd139831a7<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>All donations get 100% re-invested in the channel:<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/theresatrickforthat\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/theresatrickforthat<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Chapters:<br \/>0:00 Very interesting idea about solar power systems.<br \/>1:52 How a whole-home energy monitor helps you with solar<br \/>3:51 Unboxing the REFOSS Whole Home Power Monitor<br \/>4:49 Step-by-step installation instructions<br \/>12:05 REFOSS App review<br \/>16:12 REFOSS is compatible with Home Assistant!<\/p>\n<p>#REFOSS<br \/>#HomeAssistant <br \/>#theresatrickforthat<br \/>#SolarPower <br \/>#EnergyMonitor<br \/>#DIY <br \/>#SmartHome <br \/>#OffGrid<br \/>#diysolar<\/p>\n<p>Affiliate Disclosure<br \/>As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!<\/p>\n<p>Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of There\u2019s a Trick for That, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. There\u2019s a Trick for That assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. There\u2019s a Trick for That recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of There\u2019s a Trick for That, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not There\u2019s a Trick for That.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stop guessing and start measuring. Most people make a massive, expensive mistake when going solar: they size their system based on a hunch. In this video, I\u2019m showing you the exact device you need to install before you buy a single solar panel, battery, or inverter.The Refoss Open API Smart Energy Monitor is a game-changer [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8553,"featured_media":26013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2831,82882,18966,30416,82878,82881,39252,82886,66974,196,82885,82879,82880,82876,33193,45964,82883,4599,32,41,82875,10454,82877,82884],"tags":[2815,82870,18958,30404,82866,82869,39225,82874,66969,191,82873,82867,82868,82864,33191,45950,82871,4587,5,14,82863,10444,82865,82872],"class_list":["post-26012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-automation","category-breaker-panel-monitoring","category-diy-solar-power","category-eg4-12000xp","category-electric-bill-hack","category-energy-monitor-install","category-home-assistant","category-home-assistant-automation","category-home-automation","category-off-grid-solar","category-open-api-energy-monitor","category-refoss-em06p","category-refoss-em16","category-refoss-energy-monitor","category-save-money-on-electricity","category-smart-home-energy","category-solar-battery-sizing","category-solar-for-beginners","category-solar-panels","category-solar-panels-for-home","category-solar-system-sizing","category-theresatrickforthat","category-whole-home-power-monitoring","category-zero-feed-in-solar","tag-automation","tag-breaker-panel-monitoring","tag-diy-solar-power","tag-eg4-12000xp","tag-electric-bill-hack","tag-energy-monitor-install","tag-home-assistant","tag-home-assistant-automation","tag-home-automation","tag-off-grid-solar","tag-open-api-energy-monitor","tag-refoss-em06p","tag-refoss-em16","tag-refoss-energy-monitor","tag-save-money-on-electricity","tag-smart-home-energy","tag-solar-battery-sizing","tag-solar-for-beginners","tag-solar-panels","tag-solar-panels-for-home","tag-solar-system-sizing","tag-theresatrickforthat","tag-whole-home-power-monitoring","tag-zero-feed-in-solar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8553"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26012"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26012\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/youtubomatic-test\/demoa26f6b3a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}