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OVO Energy Heat Pump Tariff: What Is Available in 2026?

OVO Energy is the UK's second-largest energy supplier (after absorbing SSE Energy Services in 2020), serving around 5 million households. With a strong focus on green energy and sustainability, you might expect OVO to be at the forefront of heat pump tariffs. The reality is more nuanced.

In this review, we look at what OVO currently offers heat pump owners, where they excel, where they fall short, and whether they are worth choosing over specialists like Octopus Energy.

OVO's Current Offerings for Heat Pump Owners

As of early 2026, OVO does not offer a dedicated heat pump tariff in the way that Octopus does with Cosy or EDF does with GoElectric. Instead, heat pump owners can access OVO's general tariff range and some emerging smart features.

OVO Variable Tariff

OVO's standard offering, the Pay Monthly plan, tracks at or below the Ofgem price cap:

  • Unit rate: Approximately 24-24.5p per kWh
  • Standing charge: Approximately 52-55p per day
  • No time-of-use element: Same rate 24/7
  • Green electricity: OVO matches 100% of electricity with renewable certificates

OVO Fixed Tariffs

OVO periodically offers fixed-rate deals that lock your unit rate for 12-24 months:

  • Unit rate: Varies by deal (typically 22-26p per kWh)
  • Benefit: Price certainty and sometimes below-cap rates
  • Exit fees: May apply for early termination

OVO Greenlight

OVO's most interesting feature for heat pump owners is Greenlight, available through their app. This provides half-hourly carbon intensity signals showing when the grid electricity is cleanest (and often cheapest):

  • How it works: The app shows green, amber, or red signals throughout the day based on grid carbon intensity
  • Benefit: Helps you schedule high-usage activities (including heat pump operation) during clean/cheap periods
  • Limitation: It is an information tool, not a pricing tool — you still pay the same flat rate regardless of when you use electricity

Greenlight is useful for environmental reasons but does not directly save you money like a genuine time-of-use tariff would.

How OVO Compares for Heat Pump Owners

Here is the honest comparison for a household with a heat pump using 4,000 kWh per year:

  • OVO standard variable (24.5p/kWh): £980 per year
  • OVO best fixed deal (estimated 23p/kWh): £920 per year
  • Octopus Cosy (effective ~15p/kWh with scheduling): £600 per year
  • EDF GoElectric (effective ~16p/kWh with overnight scheduling): £640 per year
  • Scottish Power SmartGen (~16.5p/kWh flat): £660 per year

The numbers are clear: OVO customers with heat pumps are paying £260-380 more per year than they would on a competitor's heat pump-specific tariff. Without a dedicated time-of-use or reduced-rate heat pump product, OVO simply cannot compete on price for this segment.

OVO's Green Credentials

Where OVO does stand out is on sustainability. Their key environmental commitments include:

  • 100% renewable electricity: All OVO plans include electricity matched with renewable generation certificates
  • Carbon offset: OVO offsets 15% of remaining carbon through their OVO Foundation
  • Tree planting: OVO plants trees for energy-saving customers through their partnership with the Woodland Trust
  • Beyond tariff: OVO has invested in smart energy technology, including home battery storage and vehicle-to-grid systems

If your motivation for installing a heat pump is primarily environmental, OVO's green ethos aligns well. However, you could argue that Octopus Energy has equally strong green credentials whilst also offering cheaper heat pump electricity — giving you the best of both worlds.

Will OVO Launch a Heat Pump Tariff?

OVO has been expanding its smart tariff capabilities and has indicated interest in developing products for heat pump owners. Several indicators suggest a dedicated offering may be coming:

  • Smart meter rollout: OVO has been aggressively installing smart meters, the prerequisite for time-of-use tariffs
  • Greenlight development: The Greenlight feature could be the foundation for a pricing-based time-of-use tariff
  • Market pressure: With Octopus, EDF, and others offering heat pump tariffs, OVO will face increasing pressure to compete
  • Government policy: UK government targets for heat pump adoption create a growing market that OVO cannot ignore

Our expectation is that OVO will launch some form of heat pump-friendly tariff during 2026, but nothing has been confirmed at the time of writing.

Should You Stay with OVO or Switch?

Reasons to Stay

  • Environmental commitment: If OVO's green credentials are important to you and you want to support a supplier with strong sustainability values
  • Competitive fixed deals: If OVO is currently offering a below-market fixed rate, it could be worth locking in
  • Simplicity: If you do not want to manage time-of-use scheduling and are comfortable with a flat rate
  • Upcoming improvements: If you believe OVO will launch a heat pump tariff soon and want to be first in line

Reasons to Switch

  • Cost: You are paying £260-380 more per year than you would on Octopus Cosy or EDF GoElectric
  • No heat pump product: Without a dedicated tariff, OVO cannot match the savings available elsewhere
  • Time-of-use benefits: If you have a smart meter and can schedule your heat pump, a time-of-use tariff is objectively better value

How to Switch from OVO

  1. Compare alternatives using our best heat pump tariff guide
  2. Check for exit fees on your current OVO plan (variable plans have no exit fees; fixed deals may)
  3. Sign up with your chosen new supplier — they handle the switch
  4. Allow 2-3 weeks for the transfer to complete
  5. Your smart meter should work with most major suppliers (SMETS2 meters are fully interoperable)

If you have an OVO-branded smart home device or are part of any OVO programme, check whether switching affects your participation before moving.

OVO and Solar Panels

One area where OVO does offer something for heat pump owners is their solar export tariff. If you have solar panels alongside your heat pump, OVO pays for surplus electricity you export to the grid. Their export rate is competitive (typically 12-15p/kWh), which can offset some of the higher flat-rate cost for imported electricity.

The combination of solar panels and a heat pump on OVO works as follows:

  • Solar panels generate free electricity during the day, reducing your grid import
  • Surplus solar is exported to the grid, earning you credits
  • Your heat pump draws from the grid mainly overnight and during cloudy periods
  • Net annual cost is reduced, though not as much as it would be on a time-of-use tariff

Our Verdict on OVO for Heat Pump Owners

OVO is a good energy supplier with strong environmental values, but in early 2026 they are not the best choice for heat pump owners purely on cost. The absence of a dedicated heat pump tariff means you are leaving £260-380 per year on the table compared to suppliers like Octopus or EDF.

If OVO's green credentials and customer experience matter more to you than absolute cost savings, staying with them is a defensible choice. But for most heat pump owners focused on minimising running costs, switching to a heat pump-specific tariff is the smarter financial decision.

Check our full tariff comparison to see how all UK suppliers stack up for heat pump owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OVO have a heat pump tariff?

As of early 2026, OVO does not offer a dedicated heat pump tariff with special rates for heat pump electricity usage. They offer competitive standard and fixed tariffs, plus their Greenlight carbon intensity tool, but no time-of-use or reduced-rate heat pump product. This may change later in 2026.

Is OVO good for high-electricity households?

OVO's flat-rate tariffs are competitively priced, but without time-of-use options, high-electricity households (including those with heat pumps) miss out on the substantial savings available from off-peak scheduling. OVO is better suited to average-usage households or those who value simplicity over maximum savings.

Can I use OVO Greenlight to save money with my heat pump?

Greenlight shows you when grid electricity is cleanest, which loosely correlates with cheaper wholesale prices. However, since OVO's flat-rate tariff charges the same price regardless of timing, Greenlight does not directly save you money. It is an environmental tool, not a cost-saving one.

Is OVO's green electricity genuinely renewable?

OVO matches 100% of the electricity they sell with Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates. This means they purchase enough certificates from renewable generators to cover your usage. Critics note that REGO certificates can be bought cheaply and do not necessarily drive new renewable generation, but OVO also invests directly in renewable projects.

Will switching from OVO affect my smart meter?

If you have a SMETS2 smart meter (installed after 2019), it will work with any supplier. Older SMETS1 meters may need updating, but most have been remotely upgraded for interoperability. Check with your new supplier before switching if you are concerned.

How does OVO's customer service compare?

OVO generally receives good customer satisfaction scores — better than the traditional Big Six suppliers, though not quite as high as Octopus Energy, which consistently tops customer service rankings. OVO offers phone, email, and app-based support.