How new build homes could save you £400 on energy bills – and tips for those in older properties
As many geopolitical tensions have once again demonstrated, impacts on household finances may be largely out of the hands of consumers.
Looking at energy bills, the British could not have predicted at the beginning of this year that conflict in the Middle East would disrupt global oil and gas supplies, causing energy prices to rise; This is a major concern for many households.
Findings from last month’s More In Common survey of 2,402 UK residents eligible to vote in the election found that the proportion of Britons citing energy bills as their top cost-of-living issue rose to 73 per cent in March 2026, from 66 per cent in August last year. Two in five people say energy bills cause arguments at home.
Ways some consumers can reduce their energy bills include looking into how to make their homes more environmentally friendly.
Housing experts say this can be done in a variety of ways, including purchasing new construction or adding touches to make older or existing properties more “green.”
Looking at new structures and a new compiled analysis Independent estate agents Yopa estimates homeowners could save £393 a year on energy bills compared to an existing home; this could potentially rise to £444 when the price cap increases this year.
New buildings are often more energy efficient
Yopa said he made the calculations by analyzing a February report from the Home Builders Federation and Octopus Energy that highlighted the financial and environmental advantages of new-build homes. Yopa then produced its predictions taking into account the current energy price cap:
And here are the predictions taking into account future price cap predictions (British Gas and EDF):
Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, says: “New buildings are being designed to much more stringent efficiency standards. At a time when household bills remain a major concern for many families, the difference in running costs between a modern new-build home and older housing stock can be significant.”
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One property developer backing a collection of greener homes is London Square, which has energy smart townhomes at its Twickenham Square development in the capital.
The firm estimates the energy bill for each new home will be around £27 a month, according to an EDF report for medium-sized households this month; This compares to the UK average of £137.
Buyers of some properties in the UK will likely have to consider a new build premium, where price tags can often be higher to reflect the latest quality specifications and finish when compared to older homes of similar size.
London Square’s Jo McDonagh noted: “What we’re seeing at Twickenham Square is strong demand driven by people’s desire to have a spacious home and at the same time have low running costs.”
Yopa’s Frankish cautions that new-build purchases won’t be right for every buyer, saying older homes “still offer excellent value in many parts of the market, especially where owners are willing to invest in improving energy performance over time.”
So what can owners of older homes do to improve energy efficiency?
Expert tips for saving energy in old facilities
Octopus Energy has outlined three ways to reduce gas and electricity costs at home.
At the top of the list was overcoming volatile energy prices by producing your own electricity. Solar power is one of the biggest things you can do to lower your electric bill, and some of the energy supplier’s customers have seen savings of 50-100 percent on their electric bills.
You can also replace your boiler with an affordable heat pump. They are suitable for millions of homes, and the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 for households replacing their old gas boiler with a new heat pump, and up to £9,000 for replacing oil and LPG boilers, reducing much of the up-front cost.
Finally, Octopus says you can reduce bills with relatively simple upgrades.
There are some measures that will help the energy used go farther at less cost, do not require major work and can be done quickly. This includes installing draft-proof strips around windows and doors to seal gaps, saving households an average of £85 a year. Meanwhile, adding an insulating jacket to the hot water tank could cut bills by a further £40 per year.
Elsewhere, Edward Heaton, founder of home buying agency Heaton & Partners, doubles down on tackling heat escape.
like that There’s a reason why bills can soar in older homes, he says, adding that “the easiest way to win in older, listed homes is to make doors and windows as efficient as possible,” which could include double glazing.
Don’t underestimate the impact of loft insulation, Heaton adds, but also notes that modernizing appliances, including boilers, can also really save money in the long run. You’ll be amazed at how that old fridge you use for drinks in your garage burns energy at an extraordinary rate.
Heaton says not every house hunter has delved into EPC ratings, which examine how efficiently buildings use energy, with the most efficient properties rated A. However, it will be on the radar of buy-to-let investors “as the government’s minimum EPC requirements of C or above by 2030 appear on the horizon”.
For homeowners, if the home is not listed, Heaton thinks the EPC minimum rating of C is often a sensible choice.
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