Enquiries hit highest level since March
Octopus Energy recorded a 58% rise in heat pump enquiries during October, the highest monthly total since March when gas prices spiked. The surge followed weeks of media coverage about possible changes to government support and fresh warnings over Britain’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Record grant applications
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero figures show Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications reached 9,738 in September, a 30% increase on August. Year-on-year demand more than doubled. The government later confirmed the scheme will keep its full £400 million allocation, giving households certainty over the £7,500 grant available toward a heat pump installation.
Running costs already lower for most
Octopus data from thousands of its Cosy heat pumps shows 99% of systems are cheaper to run than a gas boiler, cutting bills by around 25% in typical homes. The company also launched the Cosy Cooler add-on, turning the same unit into a summer air-conditioning system.
What households should check now
Greg Jackson, Founder and Chief Executive of Octopus Energy, said: “The BUS grant works. It’s a bit like the Barbra Streisand effect; publicity about threats to heat pumps has driven interest higher than ever. With so many stories in the media and online, people have looked into heat pumps and seen just how attractive they can be. Fortunately, the government have committed to the grant scheme and so many more families will benefit. Moreover, building the heat pump industry reduces Britain’s reliance on gas for heating - improving our energy security for the long term. We look forward to working with government to reduce the barriers and make it easier for even more people to switch away from gas to efficient electric heating.”
Anyone considering a switch can compare current tariffs and grant options on our energy pages. Similar finance deals for heat pumps are also appearing from other suppliers, such as E.ON Next’s zero-interest loans.
