What Are Heat Pumps?
An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and brings it inside to heat your home and provide hot water. They are around 4 times more efficient than gas boilers, so you use far less electricity to generate the same amount of heat. Heat pumps also produce over 70% less carbon emissions. Heat pump technology is 160 years old and can function well in the majority of properties, connecting to most existing pipework systems and high temperature radiators.
What Are The Benefits Of A Heat Pump?
Air source heat pumps provide efficient, comfortable, consistent heating and hot water and as mentioned above, you'll immediately cut your heat carbon footprint by 73%. A typical heat pump can last 20 years (an average gas boiler lasts 10 years), plus a heat pump requires less expensive maintenance.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Heat Pump?
Octopus heat pumps start from £3,000 for a standard installation, including the government grant. For bigger, more complex properties, the cost may be higher, but nearly all Octopus quotes are below the national average quote of £8,000.
How Does The Government Grant Work?
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme you can receive a grant of £5,000 towards the cost of replacing your fossil fuel heating system with a heat pump. You need to have an Energy Performance Certificate which is less than 10 years old and shows you meet the insulation criteria (most homes do). Octopus can check this for you and if you qualify, process the grant and deduct it from the cost of your heat pump installation.
What If I Live In Scotland?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is only open to people who live in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland you might be eligible for Home Energy Scotland grant or loan funding.
What Is The Cosy Octopus Heat Pump Tariff?
Cosy Octopus is a smart 3-rate electricity tariff specifically for properties with heat pumps. There are two 3-hour slots of cheap electricity, one 3-hour peak rate slot and the rest is charged at a day rate based on the standard variable rate where you live. For more details visit my Cosy Octopus Heat Pump Tariff page.
What's The Process?
Register your interest and Octopus will perform some initial checks to see if a heat pump is suitable for your home and check if an installer is in your area. They'll also call you with an approximate estimate of the cost. Should you decide to proceed, Octopus will send a Low Carbon Heating Surveyor to carry out a detailed assessment of your property and will provide you a quote for your heat pump installation, including any grants. If you accept the quote Octopus will book you in and complete your installation, which usually takes 3-5 days.
For more details about Octopus Heat Pumps installation and to get an estimate, please visit the Octopus Energy website. There's also a heat pumps FAQ page, a blog post on heat pump running costs and tons more information in the Octopus Heat Pump Hub.
And remember if you're just joining Octopus, use my referral code link for your switch for £75 total cashback.
Sign up via my Octopus Energy referral code and we'll both receive £50 account credit when your switch completes and you've made your first payment. You'll also net an extra £25 directly from me via bank transfer, Amazon gift card or PayPal, so that's £75 in total. Just complete my contact form to let me know you've used my referral link and to confirm how you'd like your extra £25 paid!