How IFTTT connects with the Octopus Agile price signal
IFTTT is a web-based automation platform that connects different services together using simple rules called applets. Each applet has one trigger and one action. "If the temperature in London drops below 5 degrees, then turn on my Philips Hue lights." That is the IFTTT model.
For Octopus Agile, IFTTT connects via the Webhooks service and the Octopus Energy service. The Octopus Energy IFTTT service is the most direct route. It includes triggers specifically built for Agile users, including:
- Current unit rate drops below a custom threshold (in pence per kWh)
- Current unit rate goes negative (plunge pricing events)
- Current unit rate rises above a custom threshold (for peak avoidance alerts)
- A new day's prices are published (typically around 4pm)
These triggers update every 30 minutes in sync with the Agile rate change cycle. When a trigger fires, IFTTT can send a notification to your phone, turn on a connected smart device, log a row in a Google Sheet, send an email, or trigger dozens of other actions.
Setting a sensible threshold is important. Looking at the AgileAlert price dashboard over several days shows you the typical range for your region. Most UK regions see overnight rates between 3p and 12p, with midday solar peaks sometimes pushing rates to 5p or below. Setting your cheap threshold at 8p captures most overnight windows without false positives during borderline periods.
Useful applets to set up right now
The following five applets cover most practical use cases for new Agile users. All use the free IFTTT tier unless noted.
| Applet | Trigger | Action | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap window alert | Rate below 6p | Phone notification | Free |
| Plunge pricing alert | Rate goes negative | Phone notification | Free |
| Dehumidifier on | Rate below 5p | Smart plug on | Free |
| Dehumidifier off | Rate above 10p | Smart plug off | Free |
| Price log | Every 30 minutes | Log to Google Sheet | Free |
The price log applet is underrated. Running it for a few weeks gives you a personal price diary for your region, which you can analyse to find your typical cheapest windows and build your delay-start habits around them.
Notification applet: alert when prices drop below threshold
The notification applet is the highest-value IFTTT automation for most Agile users because it works whether or not you have any smart home equipment at all. The notification tells you the price is cheap. You manually start the appliance. That is it.
To set it up:
- Go to ifttt.com and create a free account.
- Search for "Octopus Energy" in the services directory.
- Connect your Octopus account by authorising the IFTTT service in your Octopus settings.
- Click "Create" to start a new applet.
- Under "If This", choose Octopus Energy and select "Current electricity unit rate below threshold".
- Set your threshold. A good starting value is 8p per kWh.
- Under "Then That", choose "Notifications" and select "Send a notification from the IFTTT app".
- Write your notification text: "Agile rate is now below 8p. Good time to run appliances."
- Save the applet.
You will now receive a phone alert every time the rate drops below your threshold. Most users find this happens 3 to 5 times per day on average, with overnight slots being the most consistent. Respond to the notification by starting any flexible load: washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer, immersion heater, EV charge.
The washing machine example illustrates the value clearly. At the July 2026 Ofgem cap rate of 26.11p per kWh, a 40-degree wash uses 2 kWh and costs around 52p. At an Agile overnight rate of 4p, the same wash costs 8p. That is a 44p saving per wash. Run it five times a week with this notification and you save over £100 per year from one appliance alone.
Device control: turning on smart plugs at cheap price windows
To automate devices rather than just send notifications, you need a smart plug compatible with IFTTT. Compatible options include:
- TP-Link Kasa EP10/KP105: widely available, IFTTT native, under £15
- Wemo Mini Smart Plug: reliable IFTTT support, around £20
- Meross MSS210: IFTTT compatible, around £12, energy monitoring variant available
Once your smart plug is connected to IFTTT, the applet structure is identical to the notification setup but with the action changed from "notification" to "turn on smart plug". You can add a second applet to turn the plug off when prices rise above your upper threshold.
Important: smart plugs control power to an appliance but the appliance itself must be in a state where receiving power starts it. Most modern washing machines and dishwashers are in standby when plugged in and require a button press to start. Some older or commercial appliances do start when power is applied. Check yours before relying on this automation. An appliance that starts unexpectedly at 3am while you sleep is a safety consideration worth verifying.
For the safest setup, use smart plugs with IFTTT to control devices that are safe to run unsupervised: dehumidifiers, air purifiers, phone chargers, small water heaters, and EV chargers. For washing machines and dishwashers, the notification applet combined with delay-start settings on the appliance itself is often a safer combination.
Limitations of IFTTT vs Home Assistant
IFTTT has real limitations compared to Home Assistant. Being aware of them helps you decide which tool suits your situation.
Latency: IFTTT checks triggers every few minutes. Home Assistant reacts within seconds of the price changing. For most appliance timing use cases, a few-minute delay does not matter. For something like a battery that needs to start charging precisely at the start of a cheap slot, Home Assistant is more reliable.
Multi-step logic: IFTTT runs one trigger to one action. You cannot say "if the price is below 5p AND it is between 10pm and 6am AND the washing machine is not already running, then start the plug." Home Assistant handles this complexity easily. IFTTT Pro offers some additional logic but it remains much simpler than Home Assistant.
Device compatibility: Home Assistant supports thousands of devices through local integrations that work without cloud dependence. IFTTT only works with devices that have their own cloud service and an IFTTT channel. Zigbee devices, Z-Wave devices, and local-only hardware are not accessible to IFTTT.
Free tier limits: The IFTTT free tier allows up to three active applets. Three applets covers basic Agile automation, but you will quickly want more. The Pro tier costs around £2 per month.
For a full comparison of automation platforms for Agile users, see the Home Assistant beginner's guide. For users who want maximum simplicity now and can upgrade later, IFTTT is the right place to start.
Recommended starting automations for new Agile users
The best approach is to start with two applets and build from there. Week one:
- Notification when rate drops below 8p. This teaches you the actual rhythm of prices in your region. You will quickly learn which slots are reliably cheap and at what times.
- Notification when rate goes negative. Plunge events are the best opportunity to run any large flexible load for free. A negative-price alert ensures you never miss one.
After two weeks, check the AgileAlert price dashboard alongside your notification history and identify your most reliable cheap windows. Most UK regions have a consistent overnight cheap period from roughly 11pm to 7am and a secondary dip in the early afternoon when solar generation is high. Build your delay-start habits around these windows.
Week three, add one device control applet for an appliance you are confident about. A dehumidifier or air purifier is ideal for a first automated device. It is safe to run unsupervised, uses a meaningful amount of power, and benefits from running during cheap windows.
By week four, you will have a functioning Agile automation setup, a clear picture of your region's price patterns, and a feel for whether Home Assistant is worth the additional setup time for your household.