The UK’s first new homes with ZERO energy bills are being built – is there one near you?
OVER a hundred new homes with zero bills for at least five years are being built across the South East by Octopus Energy.
The 113 new penny-saving homes will be launched in April, with 35 available with affordable rent.
Octopus Energy is working with house builders gs8 to create the UK's largest Zero Bills development in Thornton in Epping, Essex.
The estate, named Carpenter's Yard, will have a central battery and solar power will be shared between properties.
Each sustainable build will include a heat pump, a battery and solar panels, with no energy bills guaranteed for 5-10 years.
Built next to a nature reserve, mock-ups of the Octopus and gs8 houses show homes surrounded by public green spaces.
Read more in money
Octopus confirms Carpenter's Yard has a lake, fitness centre and commercial space.
Of the 113 properties available, four are 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and the rest of houses ranging from 2-bedroom terraced houses to detached 4-bedroom homes.
Prices for the homes start from approximately £550,000 and Octopus have confirmed a number will be available for shared ownership and with affordable rent.
A full price list for all will be released in May.
Octopus first launched a trial of the scheme in 2022.
The energy company teamed up with housebuilder Ilke Homes and built their first two Zero Bills homes in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex.
At the time of launch Octopus said they planned for 10,000 two-bedroom semi-detached family homes to be available for shared ownership by 2030.
However the most recent figures shared by the brand confirm they now plan on 100,000 homes by then - a whopping 90% increase in properties with free bills.
The company has already built similar homes in Germany and New Zealand, as well as the UK.
The long-term initiative will enable customers to move into homes fully kitted out with state-of-the-art green tech.
Nigel Banks, Zero Bills director at Octopus Energy, said: “Zero Bills’ is not just about eliminating energy bills - it’s about creating a sustainable future.
“Our partnership with gs8 to deliver a microgrid community is all about delivering a truly transformative solution that sets a new standard for affordable, eco-friendly living.”
Josh Gordon, co-founder, gs8, said: “This is a landmark development for us as a business, building on the ground-breaking regenerative housing approach we’ve been committed to for the past six plus years.
“We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Octopus Energy, a pioneering business which shares our vision and values, and seeking to create homes built for the future and developments that bring positive lasting impacts to local communities."
Could you be missing out on £2k of free energy?
Octopus aren't the only energy company creating schemes to help customers cut costs.
According to the consultancy, Ofgem is expected to announce the average household energy bill will rise from £1,717 to £1,823 per year from April 1.
This change will negatively impact 26 million households on standard variable tariffs, because the energy price cap does not limit the total amount customers pay for their energy.
Rather, it places a cap on the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas and electricity.
Luckily, there's a host of help available for hard-up Brits right now.
BRITISH GAS
British Gas is reaching out to over 600,000 customers this month, urging them to access support through its "You Pay, We Pay" scheme.
Struggling customers who sign up are able to get part of their debts wiped via what's known as debt matching.
The supplier said that eligible customers will be identified "proactively" and receive the support after an assessment by one of its specifically trained advisors.
Successful applicants could receive a grant of up to £2,000 to help clear outstanding debts - £500 more than the maximum grant available to households last winter.
To apply, you'll need to visit britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.
EDF ENERGY
EDF's Consumer Support Fund provides grants to support vulnerable customers struggling with energy debt on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants are required to seek independent advice before submitting their application.
You can apply to the scheme by visiting edfcustomersupportfund.charisgrants.com.
In addition to its Consumer Support Fund, EDF Energy has committed £29 million to a variety of initiatives aimed at supporting customers in financial difficulty.
These include debt matching and the provision of free energy-saving devices.
If you think you'd benefit from the debt matching scheme call EDF on 0333 006 9950 to discuss your options.
E.ON Next
Customers of E.ON Next and Sainsbury's Energy can apply for cash grants to help with their energy costs.
E.ON doesn't have established eligibility criteria, but the fund aims to help as many people as possible, and applications from individuals with the greatest needs will be prioritised.
You must know your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading to complete your application.
As part of your application, you'll also be asked to provide evidence of your circumstances, such as proof of household income or DWP benefit payments.
Find out more, including how to apply, by visiting eonnextenergyfund.com.
For a full list of each energy company's scheme and how to claim your savings, see our full guide here.
How to slash energy bills
There are countless ways to save money on your energy bills. Implement all of them and you could save £100s each year.
If you've got a tumble dryer, it's worth ditching it and using a heated airer to dry your clothes instead.
Heated airers cost just pennies to run per hour whereas tumble dryers can cost as much as 85p an hour to run.
If you've got old-style halogen light bulbs dotted about your house, you'll be able to save money by switching them out for LED ones.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The Energy Saving Trust says switch all the bulbs in your home to LED lights and you could save £40 a year on your energy bills.
Make sure you're blocking any draughts around the home too - this will stop heat produced by your radiators from escaping.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.