Octopus Cosy: Smart Time-of-Use Tariff for Heat Pump Users

Introducing Octopus Cosy Tariff

Octopus Cosy is a flexible, three-rate time-of-use electricity tariff from Octopus Energy, designed for homes with a heat pump or electric heating system.
See live regional rates, explore historical pricing trends, and discover how to make the most of your off-peak hours to cut energy costs.

The Cosy Octopus tariff is part of a family of Octopus smart tariffs created for different renewable setups. Choosing the right one can have a big impact on your bills — especially if you combine a heat pump with solar, battery storage, or EV charging. If you’re not sure whether Cosy is your best option, see our Best Heat Pump Tariff guide for a full comparison.

Unlike standard electricity plans, Octopus Cosy rewards you for shifting your usage into three specific off-peak periods each day, where prices can be around 50% lower than the standard rate. These low-cost slots are perfect for running heat pumps, heating water, charging an EV, or powering other high-consumption appliances.

This tariff is particularly popular with households embracing renewable energy and smart home technology. When combined with tools like smart thermostats, timers, and home energy management systems, Octopus Cosy allows you to optimise comfort while taking full advantage of cheaper, greener electricity.

Join Octopus Energy, claim £50 free credit → Sign up here

What is Cosy Octopus?

This smart tariff divides your day into three rate zones — peaks, off-peaks, and standard rates — perfect for heat pump schedules or load-shifting to save more.

Rate structure:

• Off-peak windows — around 50% cheaper than the standard day rate.

• Standard rate — applies for much of the day.

• Peak rate — roughly 30% higher than the standard day rate during evening hours

You can read the official word on the tariff directly from the Octopus Energy website.

What are the Cosy Tariff times?

This time-of-use tariff splits your day into three distinct price bands, with three low-cost slots at about half the price of the standard rate, and a short peak period where electricity is around 30% more expensive.

• Discounted hours:

  • 04:00 – 07:00

  • 13:00 – 16:00

  • 22:00 – 00:00

• Peak period: 16:00 – 19:00

• Standard pricing: all remaining times

Homes with a heat pump can benefit by pre-heating water or rooms during the off-peak slots and reducing demand during the peak window.

Understanding Time-of-Use Tariffs

Time-of-use (ToU) tariffs like Cosy Octopus charge different rates depending on when you use electricity, rather than one flat price all day. It’s similar to paying less for an off-peak train ticket and more during rush hour — except it’s your home energy.

These tariffs are becoming more popular because they:

• Reflect grid demand, offering cheaper rates when use is low and renewable generation is high.

• Encourage households — especially those with heat pumps, solar, or EVs — to shift usage into greener, cheaper times.

• Help reduce pressure on the grid during evening peaks.

If you’d like a detailed breakdown, including examples of how ToU pricing works and the benefits for renewable energy users, read our full guide:
➡️ What Are Time-of-Use Tariffs?

What Are Time of Use Tariffs?

Octopus Cosy Pricing (all 14 UK regions)

Cosy rates vary by DNO (district network operator) region due to local network costs.

Choose your region to see live and historical pricing:

• Eastern England
• East Midlands
• London
• Merseyside and Northern Wales
• North Eastern England
• North Western England
• Northern Scotland
• Southern England
• South Eastern England
• Southern Wales
• South Western England
• Southern Scotland
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire

Half hour pricing for the last 7 days (Eastern England)

As an example of what you can get from the site, here’s the last 7 days pricing data from the Eastern England region.

Why historical pricing matters

Looking at past rate trends helps you:

• Spot seasonal cost patterns

• Gauge off-peak energy savings

• Compare this tariff with others

Like the Best Heat Pump Tariff guide shows, your Cosy strategy should align with your tech mix (solar, EV, batteries, etc).

If you wish to explore smart Octopus tariffs with different time frames wider than those on this page, be sure to check out Energy Stats Dashboard feature.

You can download raw pricing data in CSV format via the Download Historical Data section, perfect for comparing daily energy rates or creating your own analytics.

Smart usage strategies

Take full advantage of time-of-use pricing by:

• Running hot water reheats or appliance timers during discounted periods — see the Hot Water Golden Rules for data-backed savings tips.

• Avoiding use during the 16:00–19:00 peak.

• Charging batteries overnight or leveraging solar/EV smart-loads.

• Smart Heat Pump Controllers like Havenwise can automatically align usage with tariff peaks and troughs, removing the need for manual scheduling.

The Heat Pump Hot Water Golden Rules

Eligibility & Switching

You can sign up if you:

• Have a heat pump (air or ground source) or electric boiler

• Are an Octopus Energy customer

• Have a SMETS2 or supported SMETS1 smart meter

Switching steps:

1. Sign up for any Octopus Energy tariff

2. Ensure your smart meter is sending half-hourly readings

3. Octopus will transfer you to Cosy and confirm via email

Ready to switch?

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Start today with no exit fees and flexible pricing.

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FAQ

What is Octopus Cosy?
Octopus Cosy is a flexible, three-rate time-of-use electricity tariff from Octopus Energy, designed for homes with a heat pump or electric heating. It offers three off-peak slots with cheaper rates, a standard daytime rate, and a higher peak rate.

What are time-of-use tariffs?
Time-of-use tariffs charge different rates depending on when you use electricity. Prices are lower during off-peak hours and higher at peak times, helping households save money and use greener electricity.

Who can get Octopus Cosy?
To sign up for Cosy, you must be an Octopus Energy customer, have a heat pump or electric boiler, and a SMETS2 or compatible SMETS1 smart meter.

How can I save money with Cosy?
You can save by running high-energy tasks such as heating water or charging an EV during off-peak Cosy Hours. Avoid using electricity during the 16:00–19:00 peak period.

Can I export solar energy on Cosy Octopus?
Yes, Octopus Cosy is compatible with Octopus export tariffs, allowing you to export surplus solar electricity while benefiting from off-peak import rates.

What are the Octopus Cosy tariff times?
Octopus Cosy has three off-peak slots each day at around 50% of the standard day rate: 04:00–07:00, 13:00–16:00, and 22:00–00:00. The peak period is 16:00–19:00 and is roughly 30% more expensive than the day rate. All other times are charged at the standard rate.