OVO Energy is offering free heating for a year worth over £340 - how to apply

If you're an OVO customer, you’ll need to sign up through the OVO Beyond app - through this, you’ll then start to accrue a maximum of a year’s worth of free heating

OVO Energy is giving away free heating for a year worth over £340 in bill credit - if you agree to get a heat pump.

The new perk is available to OVO Beyond customers, which is a loyalty scheme run by the energy firm. If you're an OVO customer, you’ll need to sign up through the OVO Beyond app - through this, you’ll then start to accrue a maximum of a year’s worth of free heating over two years.

During this time, you’ll need to agree to purchase a heat pump from OVO - and then the credit will come off your monthly bill when you get it installed. The energy credits are worth £28.46 a month over a maximum of 12 months, which adds up to £341.52 total over the year.

Heat pumps are being widely looked at as the replacement for gas boilers. They're often described as "like a fridge in reverse" as they extract energy from the air, the ground or water, then it transfers the heat to where it is needed. Energy Saving Trust claims an air source heat pump generally costs between £14,000 and £19,000 to install, while a ground source heat pump is between £28,000 and £34,000.

Mat Moakes, Chief Commercial Officer, OVO said: “We know that not everyone is ready to make the switch now, so we’re offering extra support to bank rewards and save for the future. Over half a million customers are already on the app ready to bank solar panels and EV miles, it’s one of the many ways that we’re helping households on the journey to a greener future.”

It comes as new research from OVO found only 16% are considering installing a heat pump - but 62% of people said they’d be more likely to install a heat pump in their home if they were offered incentives. OVO claims customers can unlock up to £1,000 worth of savings through its Beyond scheme.

This includes a free boiler service worth £84, 30% off heating and plumbing repairs booked via the OVO app, OVO Energy Expert visits worth £100 for just £15. To be eligible for OVO Beyond, customers must have a smart meter and pay via Direct Debit. It comes after the Ofgem energy price cap rose from £1,568 to £1,717 a year for the average dual fuel household paying by direct debit. The Ofgem price cap does not put a limit on how much you can pay for energy - instead, it sets a limit on unit rates for gas and electricity, as well as the standing charges, which is what you pay to be connected to the grid.