I seem to have got myself into a bit of trouble on LinkedIn with Octopus’s TJ Root for questioning the Cosy 12’s inclusion in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026. I simply asked what sets it apart from comparable heat pumps, because the write-up highlights heating larger, older homes efficiently without explaining the particular innovation. Surely that describes plenty of heat pumps already on the UK market? What do you think? Is there something especially innovative about the Cosy 12 that I’m overlooking that warrants being added to Time's best inventions of 2026?

https://time.com/collection/best-inventions/2026/octopus-energy-cosy-12/

Years ago I worked for a company who won a best in show award for a product that didn't actually any working software yet but was a platinum sponsor and had a large ad spend.

I stopped giving credit to any of these "best of" "most influential" and the like things after that.

@editor Maybe they have actually started harvesting the heat generation from composting the garden waste.

Posted by: @editor

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I seem to have got myself into a bit of trouble on LinkedIn with Octopus’s TJ Root for questioning the Cosy 12’s inclusion in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026. I simply asked what sets it apart from comparable heat pumps, because the write-up highlights heating larger, older homes efficiently without explaining the particular innovation. Surely that describes plenty of heat pumps already on the UK market? What do you think? Is there something especially innovative about the Cosy 12 that I’m overlooking that warrants being added to Time's best inventions of 2026?

https://time.com/collection/best-inventions/2026/octopus-energy-cosy-12/

Sorry to hear that.

I haven't heard much about it here other than a couple of posts about noise initially, which Octopus seem to have fixed.  So far as I am aware its nothing special, but its difficult to tell because the Cosys are rather 'black box'.  That said they do seem to have a good track record when it comes to installation and appear to have created a control system that ordinary people can understand whist apparently delivering a good COP. which is not universally the case.  This appears, at least to me, to be an advantage of vertical integration.

Is it just my impression or have they removed the garish colours.  It almost looks like its anthracite, or maybe a shade lighter!

@jamespa, I agree, and I have no particular issue with the Cosy 12 itself. By most accounts, apart from reported noise concerns, Octopus has developed a good product.

But I’m with @etchedpixels on the “Best Inventions of 2026” accolade. TIME’s own description largely celebrates a more powerful heat pump designed for bigger, older homes. We had 12kW heat pumps doing precisely that years ago. So what exactly is the invention? For me it’s just another 12kW heat pump. 

And I’m not begrudging Octopus its success, but this feels more like a masterclass in PR than a technological breakthrough and imo there‘s a difference between doing something well and inventing something new.

And @singlespeed, harvesting useful heat from a steaming compost heap and turning it into an affordable, practical domestic heating system? Now there’s an idea I’d happily see on an inventions list. 🤣 

Posted by: @editor

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harvesting useful heat from a steaming compost heap and turning it into an affordable, practical domestic heating system? Now there’s an idea I’d happily see on an inventions list.  

Victorian greenhouses used hot beds of manure.

There's lots of projects which have used compost heaps or manure to generate usable space or water heating; but that's where an abundant supply of fresh materials is on hand.... usually farms.

Domestically, its unlikely to ever be affordable and practical.

@singlespeed I feel sure some PR companies could supply….

@mars For the avoidance of doubt I agree with you.  Nothing obviously special!  Perhaps there were not many candidates!

An invention is a new device, method or process. The Cosy 12 is an air source heat pump used to heat a domestic home and its water. It is sometimes controlled dynamically based on a variable tariff.

• Is the heat pump a new idea? No. We alm have fridges.
• Is it a new idea to use a heat pump to heat homes? No. My heat pump was installed years before Octopus brought the Cosy to market.
• Is it a new idea to intelligently control a heat pump based on other factors such as tariff? No. Home Assistant has been making this possible for years, particularly with Octopus tariffs.

For anything to be the invention of the year, it first has to meet the definition of an invention. Cosy may arguably be deserving of an award but I have yet to see anything intrinsically new about it.

IMHO, this isn’t a time to disparage Octopus. Time Magazine, however, deserves any and all brickbats thrown in irs direction.

My 'vote' for the invention of 2026 would be the hydro-storage mechanism developed by RheEnergise in a village on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. They announced their first successful run in January.

There's some world-leading chemistry and physics involved. They've created a heavier-than-water fluid which can be pumped uphill to a reservoir using excess renewable generation in the area, and then released to generate electricity on demand. That's real innovation, and worthy of an accolade as we face ever greater threats against our energy supplies.

@toodles will note that this high-density hydro approach would be an excellent partner for the £2m of solar energy from Derril Water which was rejected from the grid on 15th May this year.

It's also hardly unusual. The Midea portasplit won a raft of awards for being the first time a big brand sold a product that has been sold for years by other people but didn't get the hype. Yes it's a cool bit of kit, no it's not new or unique.

@transparent Indeed it would - we just need to see it happen (nothing else is at Derril Water!😳) Toodles.