ScottishPower Heat Pump Tariff: Rates, Eligibility and How It Works
ScottishPower’s Heat Pump Saver tariff offers lower electricity rates during a five-hour daytime window, which may help households reduce the cost of running a heat pump. However, electricity used outside these hours is charged at a higher rate, so the tariff won’t suit every home. This guide covers ScottishPower’s heat pump tariff rates, eligibility requirements and application process, along with how to work out whether it could save you money compared with a standard electricity tariff.
Key Takeaway
Cheaper daytime power. A reduced rate of 14p/kWh every day between 11am and 4pm, covering all the electricity your household uses in that window.
Heat pumps run better at midday. Warmer air means an air source heat pump (ASHP) hits a higher Coefficient of Performance (COP), so you’re getting more heat per unit of cheap power.
You need to hit 30%. Based on the illustrative rates in this guide, around 40% of your electricity use would need to fall within the discounted window to break even on unit rates alone. The actual threshold depends on your tariff and standing charges.
No exit fees. Switch away whenever you like if your heating habits change.
What Is the ScottishPower Heat Pump Saver Tariff?
The ScottishPower Heat Pump Saver tariff is a time-of-use electricity plan designed for homes with heat pumps. It offers cheaper electricity between 11 am and 4 pm each day, with a higher rate applying outside those hours.
How the Heat Pump Saver Tariff Works
The ScottishPower Heat Pump Saver tariff offers a five-hour off-peak window from 11 am to 4 pm each day. The discounted rate applies to electricity recorded by your eligible household smart meter during these hours, including electricity used for heating, hot water and other household appliances. Electricity consumed outside this window is charged at the higher peak rate. Because how heat pumps work is closely linked to outdoor conditions, it’s worth noting that air source heat pumps can often operate more efficiently when daytime temperatures are milder. This may make the 11am to 4pm discounted window useful for heating and hot water, although actual performance depends on the system and household demand.
What Are the ScottishPower Heat Pump Tariff Rates?
ScottishPower’s Heat Pump Saver tariff has separate peak and off-peak electricity rates, along with a daily standing charge. The amount you pay depends on when you use electricity and the rates available in your region.
Off-Peak Electricity Rates From 11am to 4pm
The Heat Pump Saver tariff offers a discounted electricity rate during the 11 am to 4 pm window. Air source heat pumps can also operate more efficiently during warmer daytime hours, as higher outdoor temperatures may improve their coefficient of performance (COP). This means they can use less electricity to produce the same amount of heat, potentially reducing heating costs when combined with a lower daytime rate.
Peak Rates and Daily Standing Charges
Outside the five-hour off-peak window (from 4:00 pm to 11:00 am the following day), you are on the peak rate.
Peak Unit Rate: Typically around 31.5p to 31.9p per kWh (varies slightly by your Distribution Network Operator region).
Standing Charge: Around 45.7p to 52.3p per day, which sits comfortably below the standard national Ofgem price cap average for electricity standing charges (~57.2p/day).
Compare Heat Pump Saver With Standard Tariffs
The table below illustrates how the Heat Pump Saver stacks up against typical baseline tariffs for UK households:
| Tariff Feature | ScottishPower Heat Pump Saver | Standard Variable Tariff (SVT) | Economy 7 (Night Split) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak Rate | 14.00p / kWh (11am – 4pm) | None (Flat ~24.67p) | ~14p – 17p / kWh (12am – 7am) |
| Standard / Peak Rate | ~31.90p / kWh | ~24.67p / kWh | ~28p – 30p / kWh |
| Daily Standing Charge | ~45.7p – 52.3p / day | ~57.21p / day | ~57.21p / day |
| Fuel Backing | 100% Renewable Green Electricity | Standard grid mix | Standard grid mix |
| Best Suited For | Homes pre-heating water & spaces midday | Unmanaged, flat daytime routines | Night storage heaters / overnight EV |
When comparing heat pump cost, look beyond the unit rate to your annual electricity consumption, heating schedule and the tariff’s standing charge. A lower daytime rate may help reduce running costs, but the higher peak rate could offset those savings if much of your household’s electricity use falls outside the discounted window.
For households comparing electricity plans, a home energy ecosystem can provide a broader view of how energy is generated, stored and used at home. Understanding these patterns can help you assess whether shifting electricity use to cheaper hours is practical for your household.
Who Is Eligible for the ScottishPower Heat Pump Tariff?
The Heat Pump Saver tariff is intended for households with an electric heat pump. To apply, you’ll need to meet ScottishPower’s requirements for your electricity account, smart meter and payment method. Check the latest eligibility terms before switching.
Be a ScottishPower Electricity Customer
You must be a ScottishPower domestic electricity customer to apply. If you’re currently with another supplier, you’ll need to switch to ScottishPower first. Once your electricity account is active, check whether the Heat Pump Saver tariff is available for your property and whether your heat pump and smart meter meet the eligibility requirements.
Have a Compatible Communicating Smart Meter
Because time-of-use tariffs bill you based on when electricity is consumed, a communicating smart meter (SMETS2 or upgraded SMETS1) sending half-hourly readings is compulsory. Without automated half-hourly data, the billing engine cannot distinguish between power drawn at midday and power drawn during the evening peak.
Pay by Monthly Direct Debit
The tariff terms require regular payment via Monthly Direct Debit. Payments are reviewed periodically across the year to match your actual seasonal consumption as winter heating demands rise.
How Can You Apply for the ScottishPower Heat Pump Tariff?
Got a heat pump and a compatible smart meter? Then check if the Heat Pump Saver tariff is open to your home. Before you switch, look over your current plan and confirm the latest rates and eligibility rules with ScottishPower.
Check Your Current Tariff and Meter
Before you switch, log in to your smart meter’s in-home display (IHD) or your provider’s portal. Check the meter is talking to the network and sending half-hourly readings. If you’re still on an old spinning-disc meter, you’ll need to ask for a free smart meter upgrade before you can sign up.
Apply Through Your Online Account
Head to the ScottishPower website or mobile app and log into your account dashboard.
Navigate to the ‘Tariffs’ section and select ‘Change My Tariff’.
Locate Heat Pump Saver from the available products.
Confirm your heat pump installation and smart meter agreement, then accept the updated direct debit terms. The switch will typically take effect within a few working days.
Is the ScottishPower Heat Pump Tariff Worth It?
Whether you will save money depends on how effectively you can align your heat generation and household chores with the 11:00 am to 4:00 pm timeframe.
Calculate Potential Savings From Off-Peak Rates
ScottishPower’s 14p/kWh off-peak rate can bring heat pump running costs down, if you shift more of your electricity use into the 11am to 4pm window. Heating a hot water cylinder in those hours rather than at peak rates may save you money over the year, though the actual saving depends on how much you use and what you’re comparing it against. Homes with rooftop solar may already draw less from the grid during the day, which can blunt the benefit of the discounted rate. Adding battery storage, such as the EcoFlow OCEAN 2 Plus Single-Phase, lets households store surplus solar or charge from the grid during cheaper hours for use in the evening, subject to system compatibility and tariff conditions.
Compare Total Costs With Other Tariffs
A higher peak rate can wipe out what you save in the cheaper daytime hours — especially if your household uses a lot of power in the evening. For homes with rooftop solar, solar battery storage can help make surplus daytime generation available for evening use. However, the potential savings depend on how much surplus electricity the system stores, battery losses, and the household’s import and export rates. Take the rates used here: 14p/kWh off-peak, 31.9p/kWh peak and 24.67p/kWh on a standard variable tariff. On those figures, roughly 40% of your electricity would need to fall inside the discounted window just to break even, before standing charges. The real threshold shifts with your annual use, your regional rates and your daily standing charge. So compare how your household actually uses power, and the total cost either way, before you switch.
Decide Whether the Tariff Suits Your Heating Routine
Whether the ScottishPower Heat Pump Saver tariff pays off comes down to your insulation and how you heat the place. A well-insulated home holds the warmth it builds up during cheaper daytime hours; a draughty one ends up heating more during the pricey peak. Your hot water schedule and general power use matter too. The EcoFlow PowerInsight 2 shows you in real time where your electricity goes, so you can see when you’re using it and work out whether a time-of-use tariff fits your routine.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!
What kind of product or solution are you interested in?
Conclusion
The ScottishPower Heat Pump Saver tariff could help lower electricity bills if you can shift enough heating and hot water demand into its cheaper daytime hours. However, households that rely heavily on electricity during peak periods may find a standard tariff more economical.
Before switching, compare the latest peak and off-peak rates, standing charges and your actual electricity consumption to see which option offers better value.
FAQs
Can I Use the Heat Pump Saver Tariff Without Solar Panels?
Yes, solar panels are completely optional for this tariff. The discounted 14p/kWh rate applies to all grid electricity imported between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, regardless of whether you have solar panels installed.
Has the ScottishPower Heat Pump Saver Tariff Rate Changed in 2026?
Yes, rates are updated periodically in line with broader energy market shifts and wholesale costs. The dedicated midday off-peak rate has remained locked at a competitive 14p/kWh, whilst the surrounding peak rates and regional daily standing charges continue to track distribution network determinations.
Does ScottishPower Charge Exit Fees?
No, there are no exit fees on the Heat Pump Saver tariff. You are free to switch to another ScottishPower plan or move to a different energy supplier at any time without incurring a penalty charge.
Can I Combine the Heat Pump Saver Tariff with an EV Tariff?
No, ScottishPower does not allow you to combine multiple smart tariffs on a single domestic meter. You must select either the Heat Pump Saver (which favours daytime 11am–4pm usage) or an EV-specific tariff (such as EV Saver, which offers cheap overnight electricity between midnight and 5am).
What Happens to the Heat Pump Saver Tariff if I Move to a New Home?
You cannot directly transfer this tariff package to a new property. When you move, you will need to notify ScottishPower, set up an account at your new address, verify that a compatible smart meter is present, and re-apply for whichever smart heat pump tariff is on offer at that time.
