The Zero Bill Standard is aimed as a new global benchmark for sustainable housing that provides a stronger, consumer-focused proposition than existing frameworks, such as the proposed Future Homes Standard and the Passivhaus Standard.
While the Future Homes Standard will require most homes to have improved energy efficiency and low-carbon heating systems, like heat pumps and solar panels, the new Zero Bills Standard goes further by adding battery storage. This ensures homes built to this standard qualify for Octopus’ world-first ‘Zero Bills’ tariff.
Introduced in 2022, Octopus’ ‘Zero Bills’ tariff enables customers to move into homes that are fully kitted out with state-of-the-art green tech – including a heat pump, a battery and solar panels – with no energy bills guaranteed for 5 to 10 years.
The Zero Bills Standard was announced at the inaugural Zero Bills Awards in London, celebrating the companies already accredited to the new standard and leading the way in low-carbon housebuilding, retrofitting and clean energy innovation.
“The Zero Bills Standard is a game-changer for sustainable living” said Nigel Banks, Director of ‘Zero Bills’ at Octopus Energy. “By going beyond current housing standards, we’re empowering housebuilders, developers and local authorities to create homes that are not only better for the planet, but better for people’s wallets too. Congratulations to all the Zero Bills Awards winners who are already making sustainable and zero-energy-bill living a reality.”
The winners of the Zero Bills Awards were revealed on the night, recognising exceptional work across nine categories in delivering and scaling up sustainable homes:
‘Zero Bills’ Housebuilder of the Year - Thakeham
Housing Association of the Year - Clarion Housing Group
Large Housebuilder of the Year - Hill Group
Medium Housebuilder of the Year - Thakeham
Small Housebuilder of the Year - Verto
Retrofit Project of the Year - Lloyds Living
Build-to-Rent Provider of the Year - Packaged Living
Product Innovation of the Year - gs8
Supply Chain Partner of the Year - UPOWA
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.
Octopus has already accredited well over 1,200 ‘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.
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