OVO fixed tariff ending. What next.....

swanny65

I am on OVO's Extended Fixed 10 April 2025 tariff that ends on 30 August 2026. Under normal circs I would use the Energy Club to sort out another fix. However this year our circs are different.

We had solar panels and a Tesla PW3 installed in March this year. Been excellent, not used a unit from the grid since its install and OVO are paying us £0.12 a kWh exported. We have switched to an electric cooker. Next month we will be getting a heat pump installed and will no longer need a gas account.

We were planning on switching to the Octopus Intelligent Flux tariff but that has been suspended. So what should we do next - we were thinking ?

1. Stick with OVO on their standard gas and electric tariff until the heat pump is installed - avoids fixing (with OVO) and them paying cancellation charges.
2. Close the gas account once the heat pump is installed ? Phone call to OVO ?
3. What next after this if Octopus dont, as is likely, reinstate the Intelligent Flux tariff ?
4. Two future projects. Short term get a Tesla Expansion Pack to double our battery storage to 26kWh - should this be done sooner rather than later ? Longer term, over 2 years away, get an electric car when our petrol car dies.

Thanks very much

QrizB

You don't yet have an EV which rules out most of those tariffs.

Possibly Cosy Octopus? It's their heat pump tariff and gives cheaper periods during the day which you could use to charge your PW3 during the winter months when you won't get enough sunshine to generate everything you need from PV.

If you switch your gas to Flexible Octopus, you'll also have the benefit that Octopus don't charge to remove your gas supply. Some other suppliers do charge and it can be quite a bit.

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6680424/ovo-fixed-tariff-ending-what-next

Since we are approaching winter, take a look at the Octopus Cosy tariff as that may be a better match for your needs as the solar production drops off.

I'd then hold off on the PW3 expansion till you see how your existing system copes with the heat-pump and the Cosy tariff.

You may find you already have enough storage to bridge the gaps between the low-rate periods.

Once you have the EV it may make sense to shift to Intelligent Octopus Go and then reconsider if the battery expansion makes sense… (also make sure that your home charger for the EV is compatible with that tariff)

swanny65

Thanks for your replies.

Octopus Cosy looks a good option and Octopus terminating the gas connection FOC is what I would like.

I then used this as the basis for an AI chat !

Agile Octopus Import + Outgoing Fixed Export was recommended. I understand the import price changes every 30 minutes based on wholesale grid costs with an outgoing fixed rate of 12p per kWh for all solar exported

AI told me the advantage was Agile frequently drops to incredibly low rates overnight, often hitting 5p to 10p per kWh or even going negative (meaning I get paid to import power). I can use my Tesla app to automatically charge the 13kWh Powerwall to 100% during these ultra-cheap slots, ensuring I never buy electricity during the evening peak. In the winter I can use the low rate Agile slots to run the heat pump heavily to pre-heat my home.

Both the Tesla and Heat Pump will be programable so this seen a better choice than the more rigid Cosy tariff ?

QrizB

Both the Tesla and Heat Pump will be programable so this seen a better choice than the more rigid Cosy tariff ?

As Detective Inspector Harry Callahan famously said, "do you feel lucky?"

Per the chart at Energy Stats, (screenshot below) for most of January and February this year even the cheapest half-hour on Agile was above 15p/kWh. Cosy on the other hand would guarantee that you get three cheap periods a day.

So, how lucky do you feel?

Alnat1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110291#Comment_82110291

Reprogramming your heat pump every day to fit in with Agile will be a pain. They run most efficiently if they are set at one temperate and left to do their thing 24/7. We started out with an overnight 2C drop, 20C down to 18C, but found the pump was having to work much harder to get the temp back up from 4am when it was coldest outside. We soon realised leaving it at 20C was actually using less power.

Cosy works well with our smaller battery as we set it to charge for the whole of each of the three cheap slots in winter. We also run the big appliances in those slots. Water heating is done at 10pm as we don't mind so much if the house cools a little at that time. Tank usually loses 1C by morning, not really a problem.

When you get the EV you need to do the maths again. You'll have more idea of how much the heat pump uses by then and can decide if it's worth getting more battery storage.

swanny65

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110395#Comment_82110395

Thanks @Alnat1 particularly like the thought i may not need a PW extension pack !

I must confess I dont see why I would need reprogramme the heat pump more than once. Could the PW3, being a lager battery, not just be charged the once, overnight, on Agile ? Also noting @QrizB point that Agile may not necessarily be cheaper than the fixed low Cosy rate - maybe I will be lucky 😉

I was thinking the heat pump could be programmed like this:

1. Nightly (03:00 – 06:00) with a target 20°C temp to get the house up to temperature and heat the HW using the cheapest overnight Agile window. PW3 also simultaneously be charged to 100% from the grid.
2. Daytime (06:00 – 15:30) with a target 19.5°C temp means the heat pump will tick over gently. My 8.17kWh solar panels will cover or offset daytime running costs
3. Agile's Peak Charge Period (15:30 – 19:30) with a setback temp of 18.5°C. Heat pump may turn on occasionally during this period to maintain 18.5°C. Heat the HW a second time for the day (may not be needed). PW3 will supply 100% of the electricity to run the heat pump as it can provide 11.5kWh - should power the heat pump and cover any cooking simultaneously.
4. Evening (19:30 – 23:00) with a target: 20°C temp brings the house back up to max temp as Agile prices drop back to lower levels after 19:00.
5. Repeat day after day…………..

I get the advantage of using Cosy to charge a smaller battery three times a day. Either way there seems little to choose between the two tariffs.

Thanks again

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110931#Comment_82110931

Agile is a tariff that rewards flexibility, not consistency, and I suspect you are greatly overestimating the contribution your solar is going to make over winter…

Alnat1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110931#Comment_82110931

A heat pump can't heat the house and the water tank at the same time. You are considering trying to do both at the coldest time of the day 3-6am, when the pump will have to work hardest and use most energy.

You also seem to be assuming that Agile will always be cheap at certain times of the day. Most winters we get a "dunkelflaute" period that can last a few weeks, dull and dark with little or no wind. Agile price might be 40p+/kWh 24/7.

Chance your luck or go for the certainty that you can refill the battery (and run the household load during those hours) 3 times a day for around 10p/kWh and that will cover all your needs?

swanny65

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110970#Comment_82110970

Thank you @MWT

So thats why Cosy was initially recommended and why during winter I initially suspected a second battery expansion pack may be needed but with Cosy as you said might not be necessary especially as £5K will need a big saving to payback the cost.

swanny65

Thanks also @Alnat1 as someone who had fixed for years and years on utility bills, mortgage etc, convinced Cosy looks more suitable…..