Octopus Energy has announced a long-term partnership with one of the UK’s largest housebuilders to deliver “Zero Bills” homes at scale.
Zero Bills is described as a “smart proposition” that allows customers to move into homes which have no energy bills for at least five years, “guaranteed”.
The homes, built with housebuilder Bellway, are fully kitted out with green energy technology – including an air-source heat pump, a home battery, and roof-mounted solar panels – which are then optimised by Kraken, Octopus Energy’s tech platform.
Zero Bills households are expected to save around £1,800 a year on energy bills compared to those on a standard variable tariff, based on current energy rates.
Michael Cottrell, Zero Bills homes director at Octopus Energy, said: “Zero Bills is a complete game changer, and having one of the UK’s largest housebuilders on board to develop their first Zero Bills homes is a momentous occasion for sustainable living.
“With Bellway committing to this revolutionary scheme, we can provide even more homeowners with zero energy bills for five years, guaranteed. It means we can make green living the standard, not the exception.”
Bellway, which built around 11,000 homes last year, is the first major housing developer to engage with the project and is looking to implement Zero Bills homes in future developments.
The housebuilder is currently building three Zero Bills homes at its Victoria Gate development in Stafford as part of the company’s Future Homes research project. These homes are expected to be available on the market in December 2023.
From 2024, a further 250 Zero Bills homes are planned at a Bellway development in Bedfordshire, with the potential for more sites to follow soon.
The Future Homes Standard is a Government initiative requiring new homes to reduce carbon emissions by 75 percent and is due to come into force in 2025.
Octopus Energy has now accredited close to 1,000 homes across the UK through contracts with developers and housing providers.
According to Octopus, accredited plots span affordable, social, shared ownership, private ownership, and rented housing. The company plans to deliver 50,000 Zero Bills homes globally by 2025.
Jason Honeyman, CEO of Bellway, commented: “We are proud to be the first national housebuilder to partner with Octopus to deliver Zero Bills homes at scale.
“These homes will be at the cutting edge of sustainable design and will also save our customers thousands of pounds in energy costs as cost-of-living challenges persist across the country.
“This long-term partnership is a key part of our delivery of energy-efficient homes as we work towards the Future Homes Standard and it exemplifies our commitment to putting people and the planet first.”
