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Octopus tariffs - a quick comparison

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(@tim441)
Prominent Member Contributor
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 325
Topic starter  

I've drawn up a comparison list for friends & family. Please suggest corrections/additions. I know its possible to go on and on with so many variables! So just focused on initial guide.

Octopus Energy Tariffs – Quick Guide
 
Flexible (Standard)
  • Variable rates with the Ofgem cap.
  • Typically the most expensive.
  • Most people can save with an alternative tariff.
Fixed
  • Rates fixed for 12 months.
  • Typically ~15% cheaper than Flexible.
  • A safe, predictable option — unless wholesale prices fall during the contract.
Tracker
  • Daily rate linked to wholesale prices.
  • Long-running tariff, typically 20–30% cheaper than Flexible.
  • Occasionally higher on cold/low-wind days, but capped and usually cheaper over the year.
Agile
  • Half-hourly wholesale-linked pricing.
  • Best for homes with batteries or ability to time-shift use.
  • Can go very low (even negative), but also spike at peak times.
  • With smart shifting/batteries, savings of 50%+ possible.
  • Rates are capped by Octopus.
 
Go
  • Like Economy 7: very cheap overnight (4 hours), higher daytime rates.
  • Ideal for EVs, storage heaters, heat pumps + batteries.
Intelligent Go
  • Smarter version of Go with ~6 hours overnight at ~7p/kWh.
  • Requires a compatible EV/charger.
  • Great with batteries and/or time-shifting.
  • Potential savings up to 75% vs Flexible if optimised.
Flux
  • For homes with solar + batteries.
  • Cheap overnight import, premium export rates in the evening.
  • Needs manual scheduling or automation for best results.
Intelligent Flux
  • Same as Flux but fully automated for GivEnergy battery users.

Cosy

  • For heat pump households.
  • 3 cheap periods daily to align heating.
  • Best with a battery.
  • Around 20% cheaper than Flexible.
Power Pack
  • For V2G (vehicle-to-grid) setups.
  • Lets you charge your EV for free by exporting back to the grid.
  • Still early-stage; requires V2G-compatible EV + charger.
 

 


Listed Grade 2 building with large modern extension.
LG Therma V 16kw ASHP
Underfloor heating + Rads
8kw pv solar
3 x 8.2kw GivEnergy batteries
1 x GivEnergy Gen1 hybrid 5.0kw inverter
Manual changeover EPS
MG4 EV


   
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(@howardp99)
Active Member Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 7
 

If you have adequate battery storage and inverter capacity then the Cosy price works out at around 50% of the standard tariff and the heat pump can be used 24 hours per day throughout the coldest months, which is a good deal better than indicated by the summary statement above. My system has 25.6kWh of storage and a 7kW inverter as well as a useful amount of solar generation. I find that even in NW England the solar actually provides surprisingly useful returns on many winter days and, on average, I can get around 15% of the running daily consumption in December and January from solar. Clearly, some days are virtually zero but the mid-winter average is about 15% of demand. The months of November and February are significantly better as they benefit from the slightly longer daylight hours and higher sun elevations. I find that I can power my heat pump using the low-rate Cosy grid supply (8 hours each day) and also charge the batteries during these periods such that there is virtually never any need to use either the intermediate or the high premium Cosy rates. Having a 7kW charge rate is critical here but you need a G99 approval. The charging of the batteries whilst simultaneously running the HP 24 hours a day works on even the coldest days. Inverter conversion losses do erode the savings but after allowance for losses I reckon that Cosy will save me about 40% over the standard tariff on the coldest of winter days. The inverter inefficiency also creates a warm area within the house so all is not lost here either. 



   
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(@tim441)
Prominent Member Contributor
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 325
Topic starter  

@howardp99 yes, would agree.

I tried to say saving might be 20% but batteries will definitely improve matters. And as you say charge/discharge rates also matter... a lot!

Your detailed info helps with a deeper dive. Similarly all tariffs may benefit from deep dive. 

Hopefully the base comparison is a useful starting point.

 


Listed Grade 2 building with large modern extension.
LG Therma V 16kw ASHP
Underfloor heating + Rads
8kw pv solar
3 x 8.2kw GivEnergy batteries
1 x GivEnergy Gen1 hybrid 5.0kw inverter
Manual changeover EPS
MG4 EV


   
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(@tim441)
Prominent Member Contributor
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 325
Topic starter  

I'm on Intelligent Go . Only since start of Feb. Before that Agile... and before that Tracker.

Imports so far this year are under 8p/kWh and I've exported more by filling batteries at night and maximised solar exports. 

High user with ashp & ev so likely imports for a full year may be 13000kWh. If I can keep near to 8p that will cost around £1000.

Exporting say 6000kWh @ 15p/kWh =£900

Perhaps a whole year heating, lighting, ev etc will cost around £100 - transforms the economics of the various bits of tech.

Tracker in 2022/23 saved me over 20% vs Flexible rates

Agile in 2023/24 saved circa 50% vs Flexible rates.

Intelligent Go in 2024/25 is on track to save 75% on imports alone vs Flexible rates. But with the extra savings by increasing exports its probably saving over 90%!! All depends how you slice & dice the calculations.

Without IOG I would probably import a lower 10000kWh on Flexible rates 26p ~ £2600.

Exports would be lower at say 3000kWh = £450

Net cost say £2150

 


This post was modified 3 days ago by Tim441

Listed Grade 2 building with large modern extension.
LG Therma V 16kw ASHP
Underfloor heating + Rads
8kw pv solar
3 x 8.2kw GivEnergy batteries
1 x GivEnergy Gen1 hybrid 5.0kw inverter
Manual changeover EPS
MG4 EV


   
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(@tim441)
Prominent Member Contributor
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 325
Topic starter  

Reminder..

✅ All smart/time-of-use tariffs require a smart meter.


Listed Grade 2 building with large modern extension.
LG Therma V 16kw ASHP
Underfloor heating + Rads
8kw pv solar
3 x 8.2kw GivEnergy batteries
1 x GivEnergy Gen1 hybrid 5.0kw inverter
Manual changeover EPS
MG4 EV


   
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(@tim441)
Prominent Member Contributor
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 325
Topic starter  

CORRECTION

Octopus Go has 5 hours cheap 00:30 - 05:30 every night

Intelligent Go is 6 hours (minimum) cheap rate 23:30 - 05:30 every night. Extra slots may be added day by day.

 


Listed Grade 2 building with large modern extension.
LG Therma V 16kw ASHP
Underfloor heating + Rads
8kw pv solar
3 x 8.2kw GivEnergy batteries
1 x GivEnergy Gen1 hybrid 5.0kw inverter
Manual changeover EPS
MG4 EV


   
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(@old_scientist)
Honorable Member Member
Joined: 1 year ago
Posts: 232
 

Posted by: @tim441
 
Intelligent Flux
  • Same as Flux but fully automated for GivEnergy battery users.
  

GivEnergy, Enphase, SolarEdge and Tesla batteries are now supported. It's a net metering tariff where import and export cost the same. Octopus control the battery so no automation or monitoring/management required. Great for large net exporters in summer.

 

 


This post was modified 2 days ago 2 times by Old_Scientist

Samsung 12kW gen6 ASHP with 50L volumiser and all new large radiators. 7.2kWp solar (south facing), Tesla PW3 (13.5kW)
Solar generation completely offsets ASHP usage annually. We no longer burn ~1600L of kerosene annually.


   
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 HCas
(@hcas)
Reputable Member Member
Joined: 1 year ago
Posts: 105
 

Interesting comparison!

Another good angle is the differences between seasons. Octopus Agile is relatively more attractive in shoulder months and summer than in winter (typically).  


CEO and co-founder at HavenWise


   
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(@chandykris)
Estimable Member Member
Joined: 1 year ago
Posts: 87
 

For our set-up, Octopus GO has been the best option from March to October. But, from November to February, Cosy is likely to be the better option, as the batteries can be topped up during the day time. We also run the dishwasher during the 1 pm to 4 pm cycle. Yes, the EV charging costs a bit more, but probably negated on very cold days when the battery might run out by late afternoon on Go. With Cosy option, we can totally avoid using the grid during the peak period.


16 * 435 watts PV
13 kWh Growatt battery
1 EV - Mercedes EQB
6 kW Aira Heat Pump


   
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