Cosy Octopus Tariff vs the Boiler Upgrade Scheme — How They Stack
A £7,500 grant off the install, plus roughly £315/year off your running costs — how Manchester homeowners combine the two on an Octopus Cosy heat pump.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and the Cosy Octopus tariff are the two biggest levers on the total cost of ownership of a heat pump in England. One is a one-off government installation grant; the other is an ongoing time-of-use electricity tariff from Octopus Energy. They are commonly confused — but they are entirely separate schemes and, importantly, they stack.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in one line
A UK Government grant, delivered through Ofgem, that pays your MCS installer £7,500 towards an air source heat pump — rising to £9,000 for homes replacing an oil or LPG boiler from July 2026. Greentech Renewables submits the application and deducts the grant directly from your invoice. See our full BUS 2026 guide.
The Cosy Octopus tariff in one line
An Octopus Energy electricity tariff designed for heat pump households. It prices electricity roughly 50% below the price cap across three off-peak windows a day, matched to when a well-set-up heat pump is doing most of its heating. Octopus states an average heat pump customer saves ~£315/year on Cosy Octopus vs a gas boiler customer on a standard variable tariff.
Do they stack? Yes — here's how the sums look
On a typical 9kW Cosy install in a 3-bed Manchester semi:
- Headline install price: c. £12,500
- BUS grant applied at invoice: −£7,500
- Net you pay upfront: c. £5,000
- Annual saving on Cosy Octopus vs gas boiler: ~£315
- 15-year tariff saving: ~£4,725
- Total combined benefit: ~£12,225 across the two schemes
For oil or LPG replacements post-July 2026, replace the £7,500 with £9,000 — total combined benefit rises to c. £13,725.
Why the two schemes don't conflict
The BUS is a subsidy paid to your installer — the only requirement is that the heat pump is designed and commissioned to MCS standards. Nothing in the scheme rules restricts which energy supplier or tariff you use afterwards. Cosy Octopus is a private consumer tariff — the only requirement is a smart meter and (recommended) an installed heat pump. There is no double-counting, no clawback, and no interaction between the two.
What Greentech Renewables handles for you
- Full MCS heat loss survey and Cosy sizing (6 / 9 / 15.5kW)
- BUS grant application to Ofgem, deducted from invoice
- Installation and commissioning to MCS + Octopus standard
- Smart meter check and Cosy Octopus tariff sign-up walkthrough
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and the Cosy Octopus tariff together?
Yes. The £7,500 BUS grant (£9,000 for oil/LPG homes from July 2026) is a one-off installation subsidy from Ofgem, while the Cosy Octopus tariff is an ongoing electricity tariff from Octopus Energy. They are entirely independent and stack — Greentech Renewables applies for the BUS on your behalf and sets up the Cosy Octopus tariff once your heat pump is commissioned.
Which saves you more — the BUS grant or the Cosy Octopus tariff?
They save in different ways. The BUS grant reduces upfront cost by up to £9,000. The Cosy Octopus tariff reduces annual running cost — Octopus quotes ~£315/year vs a gas boiler on a standard variable tariff. Over a 15-year system life the tariff saves ~£4,700 while the grant saves up to £9,000 in one hit. Combined, you save c. £13,700 on a Cosy install in Greater Manchester.
Do I have to switch to Octopus Energy to get the BUS grant?
No. The BUS grant is tariff-agnostic — any MCS-certified heat pump install qualifies. Switching to Cosy Octopus is optional but recommended if you have a Cosy heat pump, because the tariff is designed around the way it heats.
Is the Cosy Octopus tariff available across Greater Manchester?
Yes. Cosy Octopus is available to any UK household with a smart meter and an installed heat pump. Greentech Renewables installs across Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Trafford, Tameside and Wigan.
How does Greentech handle the BUS application?
As your MCS installer we submit the BUS application to Ofgem on your behalf and deduct the grant from your invoice — you never pay it upfront and reclaim. You sign a consent form at survey stage; grant confirmation typically returns within 5–10 working days.
Get a Free Cosy + BUS Quote
We'll price the install, apply the BUS grant, and walk you through Cosy Octopus tariff savings for your home.
