Posts tagged #home-assistant

Cosy Octopus vs Octopus Agile: which is better for a heat pump in 2026?

Both tariffs are from Octopus Energy and both can deliver cheap electricity for heat pump owners. But they work completely differently. Cosy gives you the same three cheap windows every day, predictably. Agile gives you 48 half-hourly prices that change daily — sometimes very cheap, sometimes expensive. The gap between the two can be hundreds of pounds a year depending on how much automation you're willing to set up.

How to load-shift with a heat pump: cut your electricity bill by £200–£400 a year

Time-of-use tariffs offer rates as low as 14–17p/kWh during off-peak windows — roughly half the standard cap rate of 24.7p. But you only capture those savings if your heat pump actually runs during the cheap hours. Load-shifting moves your heating and hot water consumption into those windows. Done well, it's worth £200–£400 a year on the right tariff. This guide explains how to do it, what controls you need, and what’s realistic without it becoming a hobby.