For decades, the gas boiler has been the default way to heat British homes. But with energy bills rising and the pressure to cut carbon, many households are looking for a cleaner alternative. Enter the heat pump, a device that works a bit like a fridge in reverse, pulling warmth from the air outside and using it to heat your home.
Octopus Energy, best known for its innovative tariffs and customer-first approach, has become one of the biggest players in the UK heat pump market. Their offering isn’t just about fitting a shiny new bit of kit, it’s designed to take the stress out of the whole process, from quoting to aftercare. But what’s it actually like to get one installed? Let’s take a closer look.
From Quote to Survey: The First Step
It all starts with an online form. You type in your postcode, a few details about your home, and Octopus generates a quote for one of their “Cosy” heat pumps. At this stage, the cost can look almost too good to be true — some users on Reddit reported quotes of only a few hundred pounds after the £7,500 government Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant is applied.
One homeowner, writing on r/OctopusEnergy, said:
“We paid £250 all-in after the grant, which covered everything including some tricky groundworks. Honestly, I thought there’d be a catch, but it all went through.”
Once you accept the initial estimate, you pay a £200 refundable deposit to book a home survey. This is where Octopus engineers visit, measure up, and calculate your home’s heat loss. The survey helps spot extras that could affect costs, such as scaffolding for high pipes, or planning permission if you live in a conservation area.
Installation: A Few Days of Disruption, a Long-Term Upgrade
If you’ve ever had a boiler replaced, you know the drill: pipes clanking, radiators drained, and a few days of disruption. Installing a heat pump is similar but on a slightly larger scale.
One Reddit user described their installation:
“The whole process took four days. The team was highly skilled, tidy, and respectful of the house. By the end, you could hardly tell they’d been digging outside.”
Octopus says most installs are “standard,” covering the heat pump itself, the hot water cylinder, new compatible radiators, plumbing, and electrical work. For many customers, the BUS grant and Octopus’s economies of scale mean the final bill is surprisingly low. Others, though, have reported rising costs over time — with quotes for larger homes creeping into the £4,000–£6,000 range.
Living With a Heat Pump
Once installed, the first surprise is often the sound. Heat pumps aren’t silent, but they’re usually quieter than people expect. At full tilt they can hum, but at lower power they’re barely noticeable – “like a fridge outside,” one user put it.
The second surprise is the way they heat. Unlike a gas boiler, which blasts hot water into radiators in short bursts, a heat pump runs steadily and gently. Rooms may never feel “roasting,” but they stay consistently warm. This shift in mindset takes getting used to, but many people find it more comfortable in the long run.
One Octopus customer summed it up:
“The house is warm all the time now. Before, we’d put the heating on for an hour, then it’d get cold again. With the heat pump, it’s just… always nice.”
Costs, Tariffs, and the “Cosy” Twist
Running costs depend on your tariff. Octopus encourages heat pump owners to switch to Cosy Octopus, which offers cheap electricity at off-peak times (early mornings, afternoons, and late evenings). The idea is to heat your home and hot water when electricity is cheap, and coast through peak hours.
Some users say the Cosy tariff works perfectly, shaving hundreds off their bills. Others find it less well-matched, especially if the pump struggles to heat quickly in winter. One Redditor switched to the Agile tariff instead and saw their heating bills drop by 40%.
This highlights a key point: heat pumps aren’t plug-and-play. They need a bit of tweaking, with thermostat settings, hot water schedules, and tariffs; before you find the sweet spot.
Aftercare and Peace of Mind
Octopus doesn’t walk away once the pump is installed. They offer:
- 5-year warranty on the pump (2 years on radiators/cylinder)
- Phone and email support, 7 days a week
- Optional upgrades to extended warranties and service plans
And because they’re also your energy supplier, they can adjust tariffs and monitor your system to help keep costs down.
The Verdict: Should You Go for It?
Summary Table
| Stage | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Quote & Deposit | Online quote; £200 deposit for survey; grant potentially £7.5 k |
| Survey & Prep | Heat-loss assessment; may need planning, scaffolding, prep |
| Installation | Typically 1-month process; standard components included |
| Post-Install Care | Warranty, support, and eligibility for Cosy tariff |
| Cost Realities | Final costs vary (promo deals, grant, rising quotes) |
| Performance | Efficient, quiet when modulating; tariff timing matters |
| User Feedback | Mostly positive; some system learning and occasional pains |
So, is an Octopus heat pump worth it?
For many households, the answer is yes. The BUS grant dramatically lowers the upfront cost, Octopus’s teams are generally praised for professionalism, and smart tariffs make running costs competitive with gas. The experience isn’t perfect and there are stories of teething problems, noise concerns, and rising quotes but overall, the majority of customers seem satisfied.
Perhaps the best way to think of it is as a future-proofing move. Energy prices may rise and fall, but heat pumps are likely to be central to the UK’s net-zero plans. By switching now, you lock in government support and reduce your reliance on gas for good.
As one Reddit user put it:
“We couldn’t be happier. The cost, process, and result have all surpassed my expectations. It feels like the future.”
