Octopus Ad Misled Consumers Over Heat Pump Costs, Says UK Regulator
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority banned an advert for Octopus heat pumps because it didn’t fully explain the cost of installation.
An engineer installs an Octopus Energy Ltd. Cosy 6 heat pump at a residential property in Derby, UK, on July 15.
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/BloombergAn advertisement promoting heat pumps installed by Octopus Energy has been banned by the UK regulator for misleading consumers.
A Facebook advert that said the utility could install heat pumps for “as little as £500” must not appear again, the Advertising Standards Authority said, because it failed to include enough context about who was eligible. The company also did not show that a large enough proportion of customers would receive such a low price, the ASA said, which made its ruling after a complaint from the Energy and Utilities Alliance, a trade association which represents gas and energy companies.