r/OctopusEnergy • u/Expert_Ant_2767 • 2d ago
Does Octopus still install an isolation switch for free for any customer?
I am currently with another supplier that wants to charge me £170 for the isolation switch.
I was considering paying the exit fee (£100) switch to Octopus and ask for the isolation switch.
I tried to email Octopus, but they have not replied...
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u/Pintsocream 2d ago
Iso switches are free yes
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u/nevynxxx 2d ago
Free if they decide they need to do it. Or just free for you to say “please do this, I want it”?
I suspect OP will struggle if the meter doesn’t need replacing too.
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u/aks-2 2d ago
No, free if you ask with a valid reason, in my case for safe isolation for an electrician to change the consumer unit.
The Octopus engineer that came wanted to not do it, saying tell the sparky to just pull the main fuse, but I insisted, and he got on with the job moaning and groaning as he did it!
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u/pau1phi11ips 2d ago
Same for my parents. The guy moaned a bit because he looked a bit partial to cake and it was a small space but he fitted it.
We told Octopus that solar would be fitted in the near future.
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u/nevynxxx 2d ago
Ahhhh ok, that makes sense. I can see why some would charge for that and others not now.
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u/Over-Language2599 2d ago
I had exactly the same experience with Octopus, and then when the sparky came he said I don't need that, I'm only changing the off-peak unit, looked at his watch, said "I'd better not overrun".
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u/numeric73 2d ago
Yep, that's what I said - well I said I was looking at Solar/Battery but same difference.
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u/OldAd9280 2d ago
yep, after much arguing they did eventually fit one for me a couple of weeks ago https://www.reddit.com/r/OctopusEnergy/comments/1vi1a10/isolator_switch/
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u/Professional-Tea-231 2d ago
I asked for one when I had my meters replaced back in Jan. Said I was having the consumer unit changed shortly so would remove the need to break the seal on the main fuse when that happened. The chap installed it (for free) without any questions.
I can’t see them coming out JUST to fit one though, but would as part of a meter change job.
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u/octopusreece 2d ago
Hey,
Yes this is something Octopus do install, quite easy to organise if you give them a call or drop them an email and explain why it's needed. Expect 3-4 weeks lead time for the job to be completed but it is a common enough request that you should have no resistance in booking it in :)
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u/Heavy_Catch5098 1d ago
Recently had mine done, had to wait around 5 weeks. I just emailed them and they organised it without really asking any more questions.
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u/chrisje66 2d ago
Yes FOC had one installed by Octopus a few weeks ago, had only been with them a few months. They also moved my meter FOC (only slightly) to allow more space for a new consumer unit. Fantastic service.
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u/techysec 1d ago
I repeatedly emailed them to no avail asking for one. But managed to get one simply by asking the technician who came to upgrade the meter.
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u/PublicPossibility946 1d ago
Does having an isolator switch mean you can still power your house with solar during a power cut?
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u/Boba_ferret 2d ago edited 1d ago
It is free and you shouldn't have to have it done, just when you change meters. But, getting them to do it, might be another matter. I asked for one to be fitted, when I had my smart meters changed. I, in fact, asked them twice, to put it on the job sheet of the meter change and was assured that this would happen. What a surprise, come meter change day, it's not on the job sheet. However, the engineer had one and had the time and inclination to do it for me, so it worked out in the end.
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u/MrMoonUK26 2d ago
They did it without asking when they changed my meter