New build homes save buyers up to £3,100 on energy bills

In recent months, the new build home savings figure has shot up, due to the unprecedented increase in fuel costs.

The increase in gas and electricity prices has widened the gap between old and new build homes in terms of energy efficiency. New build homes offer savings of up to £3,100, 63% less than older homes on the market.

Our new build homes, specifically those built after 2012, have had to meet ever increasing sustainability standards and have benefited our buyers with lower bills, compared to older properties.

Previously, the House Builders Federation (HBF) report 2022 showed an average saving of over £500 a year, per household. Homeowners in a new build could save up to £395 on their heating bills, £28 on hot water and £12 on lighting, per year. The annual bill for new build properties was almost half that, compared to owners of older properties¹.

However, new figures released this week show energy bills have risen, on average, by 80%. This has highlighted an even more significant difference between new build homes and older properties, leading to savings of up to £3,100 for homeowners of new builds².

HBF have explained the further benefits of buying new, when considering the environmental impact on reducing carbon emissions, alongside the financial savings. Their report found that new build homes emit, on average, 1.4 tonnes of carbon throughout the year, compared to older properties emitting 3.7 tonnes².

With the UK having one of the oldest and least energy efficient housing stocks in Europe, these older properties generate on average three times more carbon emissions than its equivalent new build home. Much of this comes down to higher standards and modern construction methods used in new build homes, such as better insulation and airtightness.

Since 2007, all homes are given an EPC rating. The stark contrast between 84% of new builds registered this year being A or B rated, whilst only 4% of older properties reaching that same standard. It is often costly to improve older properties ratings.

Homebuyers can see the benefit of reduced energy bills with Russell Homes. Both, Stubley Meadows in Littleborough and Brook View in Wincham are being built to an EPC rating of B or higher, ensuring our customers gain an energy efficient new build home. In addition, our homes at Brook View are fitted with EV charging points as standard, whilst 50 homes benefit from solar panels, ensuring electricity bills will be even lower than the average.

For more information on our available homes at Brook View, call us on 01606 516 511 or email us at brookview@russellhomes.co.uk

To view the full report from the HBF, click here.