Octopus Energy advert banned for misleading £500 claim
The advert that landed Octopus Energy in hot water
- Octopus Energy's Facebook advertisement, which claimed heat pump "Installs from £500", has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
- The ASA received complaints challenging the accuracy of the £500 claim and the omission of material information regarding government grants.
- The ruling found the ad misleading as sales data did not show a significant proportion of consumers paid £500 for installation when the ad appeared.
- Octopus Energy stated that 13.9 per cent of their heat pump customers paid £500 or less, after accounting for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding.
- The energy company disagreed with the ASA's decision, asserting that 13 per cent of sales met the advertised price point and attributing the complaints to the "fossil fuel lobby".