At Story Homes, sustainability is about creating homes that are better to live in today and more resilient for the future. That includes building energy-efficient homes that help homeowners reduce both their environmental impact and their everyday running costs.
New research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Octopus Energy – Watt a Save – highlights just how powerful modern homebuilding standards can be. The report shows that households living in new build homes save on average £420 a year on energy bills, making them 21% cheaper to run than older properties.
On average, homeowners in new build homes spend around £1,574 a year on energy, compared to £1,995 for those living in older homes. These savings are driven by high levels of insulation, efficient heating systems and the integration of low-carbon technologies – principles that sit at the heart of how we design and build our homes at Story Homes.
The benefits increase further when energy performance is taken into account. Nearly all new build homes achieve an EPC rating of A or B, making them up to 39% cheaper to run than the least efficient older homes. Compared with properties rated EPC F or G, this can equate to savings of around £618 a year on energy costs.
Energy-efficient new homes also play an important role in reducing carbon emissions. Homes with EPC A or B ratings can cut annual carbon emissions by up to 74%, reducing emissions by around 1,080kg compared with the least efficient properties. This supports the UK’s wider net zero ambitions while helping homeowners enjoy a more sustainable way of living.
There are long-term financial benefits too. Research commissioned by Octopus Energy found that low-carbon features such as heat pumps, solar panels and EV charging points – increasingly common in modern new homes – can add around 6% to a property’s value. By comparison, upgrading an older home to the same energy efficiency standards could cost between £23,100 and £83,000.
As energy prices continue to influence household budgets and lenders increasingly factor EPC ratings into mortgage decisions, energy-efficient new build homes are becoming a practical and future-proof choice. For Story Homes customers, that means homes designed to be comfortable, efficient and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
