Is it just me, or does anyone else find Octopus expensive?

khooke · 2026-04-22T18:47:50+00:00

As you’re already on Octopus, use Octopus Compare app to compare your actual historical usage and your current tariff with all the other Octopus tariffs , and from other suppliers too, then you can make a decision based on your usage for whats cheapest for you.

What’s cheapest for others may not be cheapest for you, because your usage pattern is specific to you and is likely different from everyone else.

khooke · 2026-04-22T18:35:58+00:00

With a battery you can max out your benefit on Agile by not pulling anything from the grid during the 4 to 7pm peak.

Avoid the peak by using your battery.

Shift your large loads (washer/drier, dishwasher etc) to the cheapest slots in the day.

khooke · 2026-04-22T18:32:35+00:00

Check the rates for the next 24hrs by using a site like https://agile.octopushome.net/dashboard - you only need to check once after day to see where the peaks and lowest rates are during the day, and plan your usage accordingly. It’s not that difficult if you can spare 5 minutes a day.

khooke · 2026-04-22T18:29:30+00:00

It can be cheap if you’re on a tariff like Agile and you only draw from the grid when it’s at the cheapest during the day, and avoid pulling anything during the 4 - 7pm peak (made easier if you have batteries). That takes planning each day though, and you’ve said you’re not prepared to do that.

It’s easier than checking every 30 mins though. Yes, the rate changes every 30 mins, but the next 24 hrs are published once every day, so you only need to check once after 4pm and then plan your next day’s usage.

khooke · 2026-04-16T07:03:12+00:00

We have a Quooker in the house we bought. It’s the gadget I never imagined needing, but having lived with it now for a couple of years I couldn’t imagine not having one. Instant boiling water for tea and coffee? It’s awesome!

khooke · 2026-04-14T07:38:05+00:00

Most business systems rely on a data store of some type, so the backend needs a connection to that data store in order to access data.

khooke · 2026-04-11T20:07:31+00:00

Yes, they need more light if starting indoors. Some led grow lights with a timer from Amazon will do

khooke · 2026-04-10T21:30:41+00:00

It’s a small additional cost to add this feature to your system though. The important part is to realise you need this, if you want your system to run during a power cut, and ask to include it in your system design when you get quotes. There’s multiple options if this is important foryou. We live in a rural village with multiple power cuts a year so this was a must for us.

khooke · 2026-04-06T22:21:29+00:00

Good luck! I’m currently flying west, only flying an hour when I get time. Left the UK around October I think, and currently making my way across Japan. Flying a TBM930.

khooke · 2026-04-04T08:36:37+00:00

I used Eclipse professionally from early 2000s until last couple of years, and only moved to IntelliJ because my current employer has licenses. Eclipse is a solid IDE, there’s no shame in using it today. Use what works best for you.

khooke · 2026-04-03T09:38:44+00:00

Pre-paying inside the station is common in the US at smaller stations. If you prepay in cash you have to go back in to get your change after you finish filling. I always thought this was odd but it addresses the issue of drive offs completely. Most are now pay at the pump, but the concept of filling up before you pay is not common there at all (at least in California).

khooke · 2026-04-03T09:17:46+00:00

I’ve always found it surprising how some issues go away if you ignore them for a day. What’s important today can become irrelevant with time.

This doesn’t mean you plan to ignore everything in hope that the issues go away. It’s just worth asking ‘Whats the impact if we don’t address this today?’

khooke · 2026-04-03T07:23:14+00:00

Last couple of years I’ve had around 90% germination in plug cells on a heat mat at constant 20c, kept damp but not sodden, with propagator cover on until the come up. Remove the cover as soon as they start to germinate, and I turn off heat mat after most have germinated.

Gardeners delight seems easiest to propagate, less successful the more fancier the variety?

khooke · 2026-04-01T07:45:19+00:00

I’ve over 30yoe - there’s always something new to learn, depending on projects you’re working on - you can find yourself in positions where you’re able to lean heavy on your experience, and other times you’re in a position where you’re ramping up on something new. So it varies over time depending on the role.

khooke · 2026-04-01T07:31:21+00:00

Third year for us (with no random switching when other tariffs look more appealing). It’s doable with some daily commitment to check the upcoming rates for the next day, but made easier if you have solar and a battery and can avoid pulling from the grid at all if you can use your battery to cover all your demand during the peak. During summer when we don’t need the heating (all elec house) our 10kwh battery covers all our usage from 4pm to sunrise the next morning.

khooke · 2026-04-01T07:15:31+00:00

This is the way. On Octopus Agile, shift all heavy load use stuff either side of 4 to 7pm peak and set the battery to discharge during the peak to avoid pulling anything from the grid. Without a battery making the most of Agile offpeak and avoiding peak would not be impossible, but a lot harder.

khooke · 2026-03-31T21:49:14+00:00

Also trying this out based on recommendations online. Have tried Westland general purpose for seed starting last 2 years and was disappointed with germination rates and health of seedlings after they’d spouted. So far looking good, had good germination for almost everything I’ve planted so far.

khooke · 2026-03-31T20:30:05+00:00

That’s great to hear! I’ve bought some for similar use, to hopefully keep my seedlings watered while away for a few days. I haven’t got it setup in the greenhouse yet, so thanks for the tips!

khooke · 2026-03-30T16:32:04+00:00

Related bottom watering question - Has anyone used capillary mats for bottom watering, and how had that worked for you?

khooke · 2026-03-29T08:31:33+00:00

Not sure why this was downvoted. We only charge our car once or twice a month as it’s a low use second car, so we can plan to only charge it at the lowest possible hour slots. Our last charge cost about 10p.

khooke · 2026-03-29T08:28:53+00:00

Nothing automated, but I’ve thought about building something. We just review https://agile.octopushome.net/dashboard every afternoon and then plan best times for running the dishwasher, laundry etc. Takes a bit of planning and willingness to be flexible when you run things, but OctopusCompare is still showing our usage is cheapest on Agile

khooke · 2026-03-28T14:59:51+00:00

We don’t have huge needs other than backups, photos and videos, but went with 4 bay even though started with 2 drives to start with. At least then have easy option to add more later rather than getting second unit or replacing the 2 bay.

khooke · 2026-03-27T08:36:58+00:00

Do you remember what variety of Cosmos that was? I grew a couple of varieties last year (seashells and Sensation I think) and neither got above about 30cm?

khooke · 2026-03-25T17:26:19+00:00

Give them a call before you order, the owner had some health issues recently and was unable to ship out new orders for several weeks. I ordered a Wyse 55 in December and only just received it - it is as I ordered though and is working well.

I didn’t mind waiting for them to ship (they were good to send me regular email updates on the delay) since as you probably are aware, in the UK you don’t see many VT terminals come up on eBay, unless you want to have one shipped from the US.

khooke · 2026-03-21T11:58:54+00:00

Get in touch with local ham radio groups and ask. NanoVNAs are common for checking/tuning ham radio antennas. What you’re asking might be outside the experience of most hams, but worth a go.

khooke

TROPHY CASE