Intelligent Octopus Flux: the smart tariff that automates your solar + battery (2026)

Imagine a tariff that takes control of your home battery, charges it when rates are lower, and then exports during the pricey 4–7pm window – without you messing about with schedules.

That’s the basic promise of Intelligent Octopus Flux (IOF): a time-of-use import + export tariff where your import and export rates always match.

If you’ve got solar and a compatible battery, IOF can be a brilliant “set-and-forget” option – especially if you want to maximise export revenue during peak times and avoid micromanaging your battery every season.

Quick Takeaways:

✅ Import and export rates always match, so the maths is simpler and “buy low / sell high” is baked in.
✅ Octopus automates battery charging and exporting (no manual schedules required).
✅ Peak (flux) window is 4–7pm (16:00–19:00).
✅ Needs a smart meter with half-hourly readings.
✅ Not “GivEnergy only” anymore — current integrations include GivEnergy, Enphase, SolarEdge and Tesla Powerwall (with more planned).
✅ No exit fees / no tie-ins (you can switch away if it doesn’t suit).

What is Intelligent Octopus Flux?

Intelligent Octopus Flux (IOF) is an Octopus Energy tariff designed for solar + battery households.

It’s a time-of-use tariff: your prices change based on the time of day, with the most important window being 4–7pm.

Octopus describes this period as when electricity is most valuable, and IOF is designed to make sure your battery strategy takes advantage of it.

The standout feature: matched import and export rates

On Intelligent Octopus Flux, your import and export rates match.

That means:

if the import rate is higher during 4–7pm, the export rate is also higher during 4–7pm, and
outside peak, both import and export revert to the lower day rate.

This is one reason IOF can feel easier than other tariffs – you’re not constantly trying to balance “cheap import but awful export” or “great export but painful import”.

IOF vs “dynamic pricing” tariffs

IOF is sometimes described online as “market-based” or “optimised”, but it’s not the same thing as a fully dynamic tariff like Agile that can change every half-hour.

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IOF is primarily structured around:

a day rate outside peak, and
a higher 4–7pm flux rate.

The “intelligent” part is the automation of battery charging/discharging around those time bands, using your connected battery system and half-hourly meter data.

How Intelligent Octopus Flux works (step by step)

IOF is designed to do one thing very well:

Shift energy into the 4–7pm window – either by powering your home from the battery then, or exporting surplus at that time.

Here’s how that plays out in real life.

[1] During the day: solar powers your home first

This bit doesn’t change on IOF: your solar panels will still power your home in daylight hours.

If you generate more than you use:

the surplus can charge your battery, and
if your battery is full, the surplus can be exported.

[2] Outside 4–7pm: the “setup” phase

Outside the peak window, you’re on the day rate.

Depending on your setup, IOF’s automation may decide to:

keep your battery topped up so it can cover evening demand, and/or
prepare your battery to export during the peak window.

[3] 4–7pm: the “money window”

From 16:00–19:00, the flux rate applies. Octopus positions this as the prime time to discharge/export, and IOF is designed to prioritise battery use and export in this period.

Why 4–7pm matters so much

The UK grid tends to be most stressed and most expensive in the early evening:

households cook,
heating/hot water demand increases,
lights, appliances and general usage spike.

That’s why many “smart export” tariffs revolve around evening peaks – and why IOF is so focused on 4–7pm.

If your battery is charged before 4pm, you have options:

use it to avoid peak imports, and/or
export surplus at a higher rate.

What rates does Intelligent Octopus Flux offer?

IOF rates:

depend on your region, and
can change over time because it’s a variable tariff. (octopus.energy)

How to check your exact rates

The correct way to do this is to use Octopus’ Intelligent Octopus Flux page and postcode checker to view your current:

day import/export rate, and
4–7pm import/export rate.

Tip: when comparing tariffs, always compare both import and export side-by-side. A tariff can look great on exports but cost you more overall if import is high.

What do you need to qualify for IOF?

To join Intelligent Octopus Flux, you’ll generally need:

✅ 1) Solar PV + a compatible battery system

IOF is built for homes with solar and a battery, and Octopus lists supported integrations in the IOF FAQ (this can change over time, so always check the live list).

✅ 2) A smart meter with half-hourly readings

This is essential because IOF billing is based on half-hourly data.

✅ 3) Octopus import + export set up

You’ll need to be set up for export payments as well as import supply.

✅ 4) The Octopus app

You’ll use the app to connect your battery integration and enable automation.

Who Intelligent Octopus Flux is best for

IOF tends to work best if you match most of these:

You’re a great fit if…

You have a battery big enough to cover a meaningful part of your evening usage (often 5–10kWh+ helps, but it depends on your home).
You can regularly have the battery charged before 4pm (solar helps massively in spring/summer).
You like the idea of automation, and don’t want to babysit schedules.
You export at least some energy during the year (or you’d like to).

IOF may be “meh” if…

Your home uses most of its battery between 4–7pm (leaving little/no surplus to export).
Your battery is very small, meaning there’s limited energy to shift or export.
Your setup isn’t compatible with IOF automation, or you prefer manual control.

Intelligent Octopus Flux vs Octopus Flux (standard)

These tariffs are related, but they suit different types of households.

Intelligent Octopus Flux (IOF)

Automated optimisation (Octopus controls strategy based on the tariff’s peak window)
Matched import/export rates in each time band
Best if your system supports the integration and you want hands-off operation

Octopus Flux (standard)

Usually more manual scheduling (you set battery behaviour yourself or via your battery app)
Still built around a strong peak window, and Octopus describes Flux as an import/export tariff for solar + battery users.

Simple decision rule:

Want Octopus to handle optimisation automatically → IOF
Want more control (or you’re not compatible) → Flux

How much can IOF actually save you?

This is the part that varies wildly, so the safest way to think about it is: IOF creates value from energy shifting.

Your potential benefit comes from three buckets:

[1] Avoiding expensive imports during 4–7pm

If your battery covers your peak usage, you buy less electricity at peak rates.

[2] Exporting at higher-value times

If you can export during 4–7pm, you get paid at the flux rate during the most valuable window.

[3] Using more of your own solar

Even on standard tariffs, using your own solar is usually cheaper than buying electricity – but IOF can improve how your battery captures and uses solar.

If you want a neutral reference point for solar savings in general, Energy Saving Trust provides household estimates via its calculator tools. (energysavingtrust.org.uk)

A real-world example (simple and realistic)

Let’s say:

you generate plenty of solar during the day,
your battery is charged by late afternoon,
and your home uses a moderate amount between 4–7pm.

On IOF, the ideal pattern often looks like:

Daytime: solar powers home + charges battery
4–7pm: battery powers home (reducing peak imports) + exports any surplus at the flux rate
Evening/night: battery continues powering some loads until depleted, then you import at the day rate (depending on your usage)

You don’t need to micromanage this – that’s the point of IOF.

How to sign up for Intelligent Octopus Flux

Step 1: Check compatibility

Confirm solar PV, a battery compatible with IOF integration, and a half-hourly smart meter.

Step 2: Check your postcode rates

Use Octopus’ IOF page to view your current day and flux rates.

Step 3: Switch to Octopus import + export

If you’re not already with Octopus, you’ll need to set up import supply and export payments.

Step 4: Connect your battery in the app

You’ll link your battery system through the Octopus app so automation can run.

Step 5: Monitor for the first few weeks

Even with automation, it’s worth checking:

your exported energy during 4–7pm,
your peak import usage,
and whether the battery is behaving as expected.

If it’s not, you can reassess and switch tariffs later.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Mistake 1: Choosing a tariff based on export rate alone

Export rate is only half the story. If you import a lot at a higher rate, your total cost can rise.

Fix: compare net cost with your real consumption patterns.

Mistake 2: Assuming winter behaves like summer

In winter, solar generation drops and your battery may not reliably charge before 4pm.

Fix: judge tariffs based on your year-round usage, not your best month.

Mistake 3: Not understanding your evening demand

If your household spikes usage between 4–7pm (cooking, heating, showers), you may use most of the battery instead of exporting.

Fix: decide whether your goal is “avoid peak imports” or “maximise exports” – you might not do both at once.

FAQs: Intelligent Octopus Flux

What’s the difference between Intelligent Octopus Flux and Agile?

Agile is a dynamic tariff with prices that can change every half hour.

IOF is built around time bands, especially the 4–7pm flux window, and focuses on automating battery behaviour around that structure.

Do import and export rates always match on IOF?

Yes – this is a core feature of IOF as described by Octopus.

Do I need a smart meter?

Yes. Octopus requires half-hourly readings for IOF.

Is IOF only for GivEnergy?

No – the supported list has expanded over time. Always check Octopus’ live IOF FAQ for the current integration list.

Can I leave IOF later?

In most cases, Octopus tariffs can be changed, but always read the current tariff terms at sign-up so you know what applies to you.

Final verdict: is Intelligent Octopus Flux worth it in 2026?

Intelligent Octopus Flux is a strong choice if you:

have solar + a compatible battery integration,
can usually charge your battery before 4pm (at least for a good chunk of the year),
want automation instead of manual schedules, and
care about optimising around the 4–7pm peak window.

If you prefer manual control, your setup isn’t compatible, or your household’s evening usage leaves little surplus to export, standard Flux (or another tariff) may suit you better.

Best next step: check your postcode rates and compare IOF vs Flux based on your real evening usage and battery size.

Related solar guides:

Sources & References:

🔗 Energy Saving Trust – Solar Panel Advice