Recent research published by the Home Builders Federation has found that buyers of new build houses* will save an average of £3,100 in energy bills compared with typical older properties when the Government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) cap increased on 1 April 2023.

The updated ‘Watt a Save!’ report analysed Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to reveal the potential energy bill cost savings of new build homes versus existing properties.

Analysis found that under the new EPG prices, the annual energy bill of the average new build (flats, maisonettes, bungalows and houses) is likely to be £1,707, saving £2,510 compared to buyers of older properties who will be facing bills of an average of £4,218.

Buyers of houses, rather than flats or bungalows, will see the greatest savings, estimated at £3,118 a year.

The report also found that:

– New build properties require significantly less energy use, at approximately 95 kWh per m2 each year, as compared to older properties which require an average of 252kWh per m2;

– 85% of new build houses had an A or B (EPC) rating; while less than 4% of existing dwellings reached the same energy efficiency standard;

– Average new build properties emit 2.2 tonnes of carbon less than older properties each year, with the newer homes in this dataset reducing overall carbon emissions by over 500,000 tonnes a year.

Alongside the report, research commissioned by HBF found that consumers are increasingly prioritising energy efficiency when considering a house move, with more than half of respondents to a recent survey (53%) stating that lower utility bills and running costs due to increased energy efficiency would encourage them to buy a new home. 

Darren Farnan, Marketing Manager, Braidwater, reinforced the benefit of a new build, adding that saving energy was of the utmost importance, stating: ‘100% feedback from our customers confirm that energy efficiency is of the highest importance and Braidwater homes meet that criteria.

‘With our modular construction techniques and heating systems, our homes are easy to heat and highly energy-efficient. No doubt home owners will gain from purchasing a Braidwater home as opposed to an older property.’

Braidwater now has homes available in the following developments:

Beech Hill View, Derry/Londonderry – click here
Cloughan Manor, Ballyclare – click here
Deanery Place, Derry/Londonderry – click here
Roe Wood, Limavady – click here

* report findings from England