Octopus heat pump cost and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
A heat-pump quote is determined by the home, not a fixed price list. The survey can identify the outdoor-unit location, hot-water cylinder, radiator changes, pipework, electrical work, insulation considerations and any planning requirement. Use the final, itemised design to judge cost rather than a headline estimate.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme can materially reduce the price. Current GOV.UK guidance lists £7,500 towards an air-source or ground-source heat pump. Eligible off-gas-grid homes replacing oil or LPG heating may receive an additional £1,500 until 31 March 2027 [3]. Ofgem says an MCS-certified installer applies on the homeowner’s behalf and presents the value as an upfront quote discount [4].
How to keep the £100 referral on track
For a solar or heat-pump installation, the recipient and referrer each receive a £100 digital gift voucher after the installation has completed. The sequence matters: the recipient needs to use the referral link, sign up, and then obtain their quote using the same email address. Octopus states that it cannot add a referral retrospectively if the quote or purchase happened first [1].
- Register first: open the official referral page and submit the recipient's details.
- Keep one email address: use that same address for the Octopus quote and all follow-up.
- Review the design: the quote and survey determine whether the home and proposed system qualify.
- Wait for completion: vouchers are processed once the qualifying installation is finished [1].
Register before requesting a quote
That is the single rule most likely to protect eligibility. A referral link alone does not guarantee an installation, but quoting before registering can prevent the reward being applied [1].
What to look for in a final quote
Start with the amount after any grant, then check what it includes. A transparent quote should distinguish the heat pump and cylinder, labour, standard installation work, controls, warranty, grant deduction and possible additional work. Ask whether radiator changes, scaffolding, planning, electrical upgrades, groundworks or asbestos-related work are outside the standard scope.
Octopus states that its typical post-survey heat-pump price was £4,459 after the £7,500 BUS grant for quotes between September 2025 and February 2026; this is a historical median, not a promise for any property [5]. The only useful figure for your decision is the written price for your design.
| Grant route | Current value | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Air-to-water or ground-source | £7,500 | One grant per eligible property [3] |
| Eligible off-gas-grid oil/LPG home | £9,000 total | Available until 31 March 2027 [3] |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 | Subject to scheme rules [3] |
Referral reward and financial comparison
If you are using a referral, the £100 voucher is separate from the grant. Register before requesting the quote and use the same email throughout; do not count the voucher as a reduction in the installed-system price. Compare proposals on design quality, scope, warranty, running-cost assumptions and grant treatment before deciding.
Keep the final decision evidence-led
A grant reduces the quoted installation cost, but it does not remove the need to compare system scope. Look closely at the final price after the grant, the practical work required at the property and how any change in scope will be approved. This keeps a low headline cost from obscuring important extras.