Living in a new home could save a household £556 a year on energy bills and cut CO2 emissions by more than 60 per cent
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Download this press release (PDF)A new research study by National Energy Services, commissioned by the New Homes Marketing Board, has found living in a new home could save up to £556 a year on average energy bills compared with older-style homes. These huge savings are made possible because new homes generate more than 60 per cent less CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking one car off British roads or driving 10,000 miles less a year per household.
New Homes Marketing Board Chairman David Pretty CBE said: “With energy bills forecast to rise by up to 20 per cent this year, there has never been a better time to consider buying a new home and cut down on energy consumption. Indeed, Npower has already announced it will be passing on price rises of 17 per cent for gas and 12 per cent for electricity to its standard tariff customers. Many other providers are expected to follow.”
He added:”It is not generally recognised that today’s new homes are already very energy efficient. They come packed with highly efficient heating systems, double glazed doors and windows, insulated ground floors and high levels of roof and wall insulation. With energy costs on the rise, this will come as welcome news to new home owners and anyone looking to cut down on energy consumption. I believe 2008 will be a buyers’ market and buyers should therefore take these facts into full account when considering buying a home. The money saved on energy bills in a new home can be put towards mortgage repayments or other vital household costs’’.
Mr Pretty said due to building standards introduced in 2006, new homes are now 40 per cent more energy efficient than new homes built at the beginning of the decade and, as this study shows, far more efficient than the average older home. ``This research shows that if you are serious about living a green lifestyle and want to reduce your energy bill then you really should consider a new home,” Mr Pretty said.
National Energy Services, an independent body, conducted the study using the NHER scheme and also properties with similar floor space to make comparisons as fair as possible.
The study shows the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for a new 2007 mid-terrace two-bedroom house achieved a B rating for energy efficiency while a mid-terrace Victorian style two-bedroom house scored an E. With EPCs for new homes due to come into force in April, consumers will really start to see the difference between new homes versus old.
Mr Pretty added: “Homes are still one of the biggest generators of CO2 emissions, but new homes are already significantly better than old homes in this respect and they are only going to become more energy efficient with the industry moving towards zero carbon from 2016.”
How they compare
2 bed mid-terrace home:
| 2007 2-bed house | Victorian 2-bed house | Annual Difference £/(%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAP annual average energy bill (heating, hot water, fixed lighting) | 230 | 617 | £387 (63%) |
| Energy Performance Certificate Rating | B | E | |
| SAP annual CO2 emissions (tonnes | 1.35 | 4.71 | 3.36 (71%) |
3 bed semi-detached home:
| 2007 3-bed house | 1930s 3-bed house | Annual Difference £/(%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAP annual average energy bill (heating, hot water, fixed lighting) | 366 | 839 | £473 (56%) |
| Energy Performance Certificate Rating | C | E | |
| SAP annual CO2 emissions (tonnes) | 2.36 | 6.26 | 3.90 (56%) |
4 bed detached home:
| 2007 4-bed house | 1950s 4-bed house | Annual Difference £/(%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAP annual average energy bill (heating, hot water, fixed lighting) | 449 | 1,005 | £556 (55%) |
| Energy Performance Certificate Rating | C | E | |
| SAP annual CO2 emissions (tonnes) | 2.96 | 7.54 | 4.58 (61%) |
Source: Modelling undertaken using NHER Plan Assessor software by National Energy Services)
To obtain a full copy of the NHER technical report please contact Blueice
Note: SAP is the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) used for energy rating of dwellings.
| Energy Performance Certificate Chart (EPC) – comparing 2 bedroom homes | |
|---|---|
| New 2 bed home | Old 2 bed home |
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| The energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills are likely to be. | |
Editor’s notes:
New Homes Marketing Board
The New Homes Marketing Board (NHMB) was established in 1982 by the House Builders’ Federation (HBF, now the Home Builders’ Federation) to promote their activities to consumers. The NHMB is supported by HBF members and the majority of home builders registered with the National House Building Council, as well as material producers, suppliers, and associated industries.
The NHMB also promotes the need for new housing to the general public and raises awareness of the benefits of new homes. In promoting a positive image of the housing industry’s aims and activities the NHMB supports the HBF’s political and media campaigns.
National Energy Services/NHER
National Energy Services provides software, consultancy, training and accreditation to energy efficiency professionals, builders, local authorities and housing associations. The company has operated the National Home Energy Rating (NHER) scheme since 1990. The NHER is now the largest accreditation scheme for Domestic Energy Assessors, who are licenced to undertake Energy Performance Certificates for the Home Information Pack.
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[New Homes Marketing Board|
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