Octopus Energy and SNG customers become the first social housing residents to move into homes with no energy bills for at least 5 years.
At Nexa Fields in Exeter, six social housing residents will pay absolutely nothing for their energy, thanks to state-of-the-art green technology that makes their homes eligible for Octopus Energy's pioneering ‘Zero Bills’ initiative.
Launched in 2022, ‘Zero Bills’ is a world-first energy tariff from Octopus Energy that allows customers to move into homes that are fully kitted out with a heat pump, a battery and solar panels, with no energy bills guaranteed for 5-10 years.
Developed by Verto Homes, a multi-award winning housebuilder, for SNG, the second largest developer amongst housing associations, the homes at Nexa Fields are the most energy-efficient in the UK. Each property has an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a score of 129 – currently the highest in the country.
It comes as SNG presses ahead with its ambition to deliver 25,000 new, highly sustainable, homes over the next ten years. This bold programme is underpinned by its Homes & Place Standard, a holistic benchmark for sustainability and liveability that SNG co-created with its customers to uphold the highest standards for its new and existing affordable homes.
Octopus Energy aims to deliver 100,000 ‘Zero Bills’ homes by 2030, and has already rolled out the initiative in Germany and New Zealand, as well as the UK.
Tom Titherington, Chief Investment and Development Officer, SNG, comments: “Seeing our customers move into their new homes is always fantastic and knowing that these are the first social housing customers to enjoy zero energy bills adds to our confidence we’re delivering the standard of homes needed for people to thrive over generations.
“As we continue to grow our delivery of good, affordable homes over the next ten years, we look forward to working with partners like Octopus and Verto Homes to keep building places that are a foundation for better lives, while protecting the environment for us all.
Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Homes Director, Octopus Energy, comments: “Our groundbreaking partnership with SNG and Verto Homes is a huge aid for those moving into these homes who are struggling with their bills.
“We’re helping to reduce their impact on the planet while also reducing their regular outgoings as well - making their homes more affordable and eco-friendly places to be.”
Tom Carr, Co-Founder, Verto Homes, comments: “At Verto Homes, we are deeply committed to building homes that are not just beautifully designed and of exceptional quality, but that also put sustainability at their very core.
“We are immensely proud of Nexa Fields, the UK’s first fully ‘Zero Bills’ community. Seeing the first residents move in is an incredibly rewarding moment for us, and we wish them every success in their new homes.”
Octopus Energy has already accredited well over 1,000 ‘Zero Bills’ homes through contracts with a number of prominent developers. Accredited homes span affordable and private rent, as well as private and shared ownership.
