Octopus Agile

jessmist

I've just signed up to Agile. Thought I would give it a try and see if I can save some money.
Is the Octopus compare app safe to use with having to give them the API code ?

mwddrwg

Trying to work out if Agile is better than Cosy for a new heat pump and 16-panel solar installation. Currently on Octopus Flexible and they are suggesting that we switch to Cosy. Having investigated Agile as well I'm not so sure. 

Is there anyone here on Agile with a solar/heat pump system (no battery) and how are you finding the prices? 

Alnat1

Depends how much of the solar generated electricity you use and maybe panel orientation, but have you considered Flux for over the summer? It works really well for the months you're sending more back to the grid than you're importing.

NedS

mwddrwg said:

Trying to work out if Agile is better than Cosy for a new heat pump and 16-panel solar installation. Currently on Octopus Flexible and they are suggesting that we switch to Cosy. Having investigated Agile as well I'm not so sure. 

Is there anyone here on Agile with a solar/heat pump system (no battery) and how are you finding the prices? 

The issue with Cosy for me is that the premium for 4-7pm is large. You'll have little to no solar at this time. Do you want to turn off your ASHP in winter for 3h every evening?

Then there's the cheap rate periods - one is in the middle of the night, normally a period where you may want the heating turned back or slightly lower - not really a period you will want to turn it up high to take advantage of the cheap price. Maybe if you have battery storage, you can take advantage?

Agile just looks better to me - 21h of lower (than the cap) pricing so you can run your heat pump in steady-state always on mode, and 3h peak rate where you can maybe set back or turn off the ASHP and shift usage.

Take a look at this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c88Wv1HSlXs

 

I just don't see how Cosy makes sense for ASHP customers.

MultiFuelBurner

Agile all the way for right now then.wirh solar switch to flux soon, we only have a heat pump but are averaging 13p kwh.

Just be wary you can't swap to another smart meter tariff within 30 days so you might consider flux first?

mmmmikey

jessmist said:

I've just signed up to Agile. Thought I would give it a try and see if I can save some money.
Is the Octopus compare app safe to use with having to give them the API code ?

Yes, no problem with sharing the API code and lots of people here use the compare app 

Newbie_John

MultiFuelBurner said:

Agile all the way for right now then.wirh solar switch to flux soon, we only have a heat pump but are averaging 13p kwh.

Just be wary you can't swap to another smart meter tariff within 30 days so you might consider flux first?

Right now yes, but this the problem with this tariff - uncertainty. With all other tariffs like cosy, go etc. you know how you'll be paying per unit - on Agile it is a lottery and it can reach 100p. November 2023 I think it was 70p max. Everyone is happy now as rates are very low.. but as soon as they start going up people leave.
Great that you can leave anytime for free and then just switch back to standard rate. If you happy to hop on and off then - great choice, if you want to know what future brings - terrible choice (we don't know what rate will be tomorrow at 11pm, not mentioning Winter 2024 😅)

Pat38493

Newbie_John said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

Agile all the way for right now then.wirh solar switch to flux soon, we only have a heat pump but are averaging 13p kwh.

Just be wary you can't swap to another smart meter tariff within 30 days so you might consider flux first?

Right now yes, but this the problem with this tariff - uncertainty. With all other tariffs like cosy, go etc. you know how you'll be paying per unit - on Agile it is a lottery and it can reach 100p. November 2023 I think it was 70p max. Everyone is happy now as rates are very low.. but as soon as they start going up people leave.
Great that you can leave anytime for free and then just switch back to standard rate. If you happy to hop on and off then - great choice, if you want to know what future brings - terrible choice (we don't know what rate will be tomorrow at 11pm, not mentioning Winter 2024 😅)

There was about 2 days in the last year when it reached 70p at one of the peak half hour slots between 4pm and 7pm.  However this doesn’t change the fact that over the whole year many of us saved a fortune compared to the standard tariff or even Go or whatever.  Also as you say there is little to lose because you can just move away from the tariff immediately if prices skyrocket for more than a few days in a row.

Newbie_John

Sure, but that's the reason why MSE doesn't tell everyone - switch to Agile now - because if it jumps up again (some world wide turmoil) then many people will be affected.
I'm happy to check prices daily, but I know a lot of people who wouldn't do that, who simply believe their electricity costs are the same in summer and winter because they pay the same DD 😅

With free cancellation the risk is extremely low, but worth highlighting that it exists.

Saying that (I know prices were different) but Agile cost me <£500 this winter vs. £1500 year before.. it can really make a difference.

MultiFuelBurner

I suspect the reason MSE don't promote it is their own lack of understanding and historical knowledge on the two products.(Agile and Tracker)

Playing it safe, in terms of consumer backlash, is of course their biggest concern and to only take the middle road of what 95% of energy customers can understand (fixed, variable and lately variable fixed under a certain mythical rate).

To add in what Octopus do with next day pricing is quite frankly beyond most customers comprehension

So hopefully they stumble upon the Agile and Tracker threads here, ask a few questions and give it a fairly risk free trial. Agile you can be off instantly and tracker within 2 weeks. So I would always advise Agile first for those wanting to try these products out.