# Why Did I Lose Watts?

> Understanding negative Watts and how to avoid losing them   Why Did I Lose Watts  As a Virtual Power Plant OhmConnect works with the grid and the Independen

Source: https://ohmconnect.kustomer.help/help/why-did-i-lose-watts-HkQ1g584_

Last updated: 2025-11-20T23:51:06.358Z

## Understanding negative Watts, and how to avoid losing them. 

### Why Did I Lose Watts?

As a Virtual Power Plant, OhmConnect works with the grid and the Independent System Operator (the financial entities that oversee the grid) in order to reduce a certain amount of energy. We then share this responsibility with our members, who commit to powering down when the grid is stressed. If our members are unable to beat their forecast, and reduce the required amount of energy during an OhmHour, we incur a financial penalty for that event, which is then passed on to the member.  So, this is why you will see negative Watts applied to event in which you do not beat your forecast, or did not opt-out prior to the event. 

### Utility Data

Following an OhmHour, there are instances when your utility sends us estimated data, which is based on your previous energy usage. Keep in mind it can take up to 3-5 days for your utility to send the correct updated data, after which your OhmHour Watts earnings will be automatically recalculated to reflect the update. That said, if you believe that your energy use has been incorrectly reported, follow the steps in [this article](https://www.ohmconnect.com/help/usage-data-concerns-B1nggP9Vd) to compare if the reporting from your utility differs from the usage that we received. If you find that your usage was incorrectly reported, please reach out to us with a screenshot from your utility website, and a CSV file. 

### Can I Lose Watts During an AutoOhm?

You will never lose Watts during an AutoOhm event! AutoOhms occur in real-time, and given that you are not provided with the same amount of time to prepare, we do not pass the same responsibility on to our members as we do for OhmHour events. Additionally, AutoOhms will not impact either your streak, or status. 

### How to Avoid Losing Watts

*   Incorporate smart home technology into the mix, and earn automatically without lifting a finger. 
*   Take an inventory of your home's appliances, and which of them might be energy hogs. Check out [this article](https://www.ohmconnect.com/help/help/what-should-i-do-during-my-ohmhour-to-reduce-power-Hki5WhDVd) for more details.