My Octopus Cosy 6 Heat Pump Journey: From Quote to Completion

wreckguru · 2024-11-13T15:54:07Z

The Full Installation Service Octopus provides a complete installation service, handling everything from the initial quote and survey to supply, removal of old equipment, installation, commissioning and aftercare support. If, like me, you’re looking for a turnkey solution, this comes as close as I’ve found. However, it’s not yet a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product. Having gone through the conversion from a gravity-fed water system to mains supply, I found this was a bigger deal than expected. The pump itself has been great, and I highly recommend ASHPs. Here’s my take on how things went with this new technology and bespoke installation. The Quote In May 2024, I saw an Octopus campaign on Facebook offering a “quick quote” for heat pumps and solar. I clicked through and received a quote almost instantly. The following week, I had a pre-sales call with Octopus to go over details. The process involved a £500 fully refundable deposit (which is now down to £200) to get a heat loss survey. I decided to go for it. My 24-year-old 3kW Ideal system boiler was showing its age. Since I was planning a kitchen refurbishment and considering moving to a combi boiler in the airing cupboard, this seemed a more long-term option. Gas will be phased out in the next 25 years, so I didn’t want to be stuck with an obsolete gas boiler. Though the wait time was expected to be up to three months, there was an opening the following week, so I booked it. Why I Chose Octopus I wouldn’t say I’m an Octopus fan, but I am a convert. I checked out founder Greg Jackson and his values, which I found aligned with my own. Having worked in high-tech and multi-billion-pound corporations all my life, I know all big companies have their downsides, but Octopus has been impressive. I’d been moved to Octopus from Bulb after they went bust. For anyone interested, there’s a great interview with Greg Jackson by Heat Geek, which gives insight into the company’s vision. The Octopus service includes a pre- and post-contract insurance policy with HIES, electrical certification through NAPIT, and MCS certification, which grants access to the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) via Ofgem. Given the horror stories of fly-by-night installers and local companies online, Octopus felt like a safe bet. At this point, I broke from tradition and didn’t seek other quotes. I didn’t feel knowledgeable enough to make an informed choice, so, like picking wine by the label, I chose based on Octopus’s reputation. The Survey Not knowing much about heat pumps, I turned to the internet and came across Heat Geek, Renewable Heating Hub and Skill Builder on YouTube. It all seemed quite complex. I’m an engineer by trade and a project manager by occupation, so I’m comfortable with numbers. I even tried a few heat loss calculations through online radiator shops. When the Octopus surveyor arrived, he spent about five hours on the survey. He went over radiator plans, room-by-room heat loss, the 50°C design flow temperature and cable routing. We also discussed the loft insulation, and placement of the ASHP and consumer unit. I felt reassured by the surveyor’s approach and the quality of his analysis. The Results Most of the discussion focused on my pipework. I live in a timber-framed, well-insulated 2000-built semi-detached home. Two years ago, I added 300mm of loft insulation. The old boiler was fitted with primary pipework that runs from the kitchen to the airing cupboard and loft, where there’s a header tank. The pipework is 10mm microbore, which Octopus allows as long as it’s barriered, which mine is. After discussing the radiator plan, I signed the contract, and within a week, I had an install date for August – just two months away. The Equipment The heat loss survey was done with a design temperature of 22°C for bathrooms, 18°C for bedrooms and 21°C elsewhere, with an outside design temperature of -2.4°C. The survey showed a heat loss of 4.1kW. The surveyor recommended swapping six radiators, providing a total output of 4.6kW. Initially, Octopus specified a Daikin Altherma 4kW Monoblock with a 180L hot water cylinder. Later, I switched to the Cosy 6 and upgraded to a 250L cylinder, as recommended by MCS. Pre-Installation Requirements The only pre-installation task on my end was clearing a space for the pump in the garden. Octopus handled everything else, including a new EPC, BUS grant application and DNO approval for the electrical circuit. My EPC came back as a C rating, and the BUS grant was approved. Cosy 6 Launched After signing the contract, I was offered a swap to the Cosy 6, Octopus’s in-house unit. Given that the future of Octopus seemed to be in its own products, I decided to switch to the Cosy 6. I also upgraded to a 250L hot water cylinder to better meet my household’s needs. Pre-install Setup A week before installation, scaffolding went up so Octopus could run a cable from the new consumer unit through the loft to the ASHP. The scaffolding was up front and back, dep...

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Mars

(@editor)

Illustrious Member Admin

Joined: 5 years ago

Posts: 3844

06/11/2025 10:27 pm

@chansug, been a while since your last post. Did you eventually get the unit installed and what were your thoughts and impressions?

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Chansug

(@chansug)

Trusted Member Member

Joined: 11 months ago

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06/11/2025 11:14 pm

@editor thanks for highlighting my name. Yes I did get the ASHP installed by Boxt and overall impression has been good and I would recommend them. I will post a more detailed message about the pros and cons. They were anyway one of the most reasonably priced installers for my property.

Currently seeking quotes for Heat Pump.
4 bedroom single storey detached house with 8.6kw solar panels and Solaredge 10kwh battery.
Also drive an electric car so on Octopus Go tariff.

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