Knowledge base
Plain-English Octopus guides for real decisions
Use these guides when a quote, bill or smart-tariff rule needs translating. The aim is not to make every Octopus product sound right for everyone, but to help you spot the tariff, tool or next check that actually fits your home.
Reviewed 25 May 2026
Knowledge-base source check
Use the guides as a map, then verify live rates before switching
Route coverage
All 40 knowledge-base entries in the navigation were checked against local route files on 25 May 2026.
Fastest evidence path
Billing and Direct Debit questions now point readers towards the updated bill, balance and standing-charge guides first.
Tariff decisions
Tariff pages remain a starting point only. Live postcode rates, eligibility and current terms still need a final check before switching.
Good starting point
Go and Intelligent Go
Start here if you are weighing up overnight EV charging, whole-home cheap windows and the difference between a fixed cheap slot and smart charging.
Good starting point
Standing charges explained
A calmer explanation of the daily charge on a bill, why it can move differently from unit rates and what to check before judging a tariff.
Good starting point
Import vs export vs generation
Useful for solar households comparing what they generate, what they use from the grid and what Octopus pays for exported energy.
Choose by situation
What are you trying to work out?
New to Octopus
Switching basics, first-month checks and what changes after you move supplier.
Choosing a tariff
Agile, Tracker, Go, Intelligent Go, Cosy and Flux without the marketing shorthand.
Checking a bill
Direct Debits, credit balances, standing charges and smart-meter gaps.
Planning an upgrade
EV charging, solar, batteries and heat pumps, with the trade-offs kept separate.
All guides
Browse the full knowledge base
Getting Started
Tariffs Explained
EV Charging
Solar & Battery
Billing
The Octopus App
If the guides point you towards Octopus
Keep the referral code page open for the signup step. It explains how the code works and keeps the decision separate from the research.