New report shows owners of new-build properties could save £2000 a year on average on energy bills
Miller Homes North East believes the ‘Watt a Save’ report by the Home Builders Federation by the Home Builders Federation will be vital in debunking myths around energy efficiency and new build homes.
The new report shows substantial savings to be had, with new build home owners saving on average £2,000 a year in bills, and reducing their carbon emissions by two tonnes over the same period.
Carbon footprint
The findings also revealed that energy efficiency is now a key consideration for one in four buyers when purchasing a home and that, collectively, new build home buyers across the UK are saving over £500 million.
As well huge cost savings, buyers of new homes are also contributing to the UK’s progression towards net zero, with each new build producing just a third of the carbon emitted by older homes, a saving of 2.2 tonnes of CO2 every year by using on average 100 kWh of energy per m2 of house space compared to 259 kWh per m2 for an older property.
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF, said: “The energy crisis is highlighting starkly the efficiency benefits and cost savings provided by new build homes.
Energy efficiency
“Energy efficiency is a growing priority for house hunters and the financial savings clearly demonstrate why. In the face of the cost-of-living crisis we now need lenders to take these savings into account so that consumers can benefit further through cheaper mortgages.”
An analysis of Government data on the energy efficiency of new build and existing homes, revealed that 84% of new build homes were rated with an EPC of B or above, while less than 4% of existing homes reached the same threshold.
Not only are new homes built to the most up to date regulations, but housebuilders are demonstrating their commitment to go further, using new technologies and methods to ensure efficiency is embedded to the highest standard from the point of construction.
National housebuilder Miller Homes is one of the most active housebuilders in the North East, with nine developments currently underway from Corbridge, Northumberland to Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
The firm has built 600 homes in the area since 2020 using the most modern methods of construction and company chiefs believe the economic and environmental benefits of buying a new build – as outlined in this week’s HBF report – will be key to addressing the region’s gaping housing shortage and bringing more developments to market.
Aisling Ramshaw, Regional Sales Director for the North East at Miller Homes, said: “There are a lot of myths surrounding new build homes which can often put prospective buyers off the idea of purchasing a new property, so it’s fantastic to see research such as this helping to put to bed some of the misconceptions out there.
“Buying a new build property has so many benefits, from providing you with a blank canvas to design your dream home to significant reductions in costs and carbon emissions when compared to older properties.
“Add to that the fact that the UK is currently in the midst of its most chronic housing shortage in a generation, and it’s never been so important to drive home the many benefits of buying a new build.”
Miller Homes is also incentivising the take-up of new build properties by introducing a series of incentives for eligible buyers, including paying up to six months of their mortgage; covering stamp duty fees; free energy bills for two years and £1,000 towards Option Vouchers.
The housebuilder also recently announced its Deposit Unlock scheme for selected developments in the North East, providing those looking to purchase their first home or move to a larger family home with the opportunity to do so by putting down a 5% deposit which could be as low as £9,498.
For more information on Miller Homes North East and its various incentive schemes, visit: https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/locations/north-east-of-england.aspx