As multiple geopolitical tensions have demonstrated once again, impacts to household finances can be largely out of the hands of consumers.
Looking at energy bills, Brits at the start of this year couldn’t have foreseen the conflict in the Middle East would disrupt the global oil and gas supply, sending energy prices higher – a big concern for a large number of households.
Findings published last month from a More In Common survey, of 2,402 UK residents eligible to vote in elections, found the share of Britons citing energy bills as a top cost of living issue increased from 66 per cent in August last year to 73 per cent in March 2026. Two in five people say energy bills have caused arguments at home.
Among ways some consumers may look to lower energy bills is examining how to make their home more eco-friendly.
Residential experts say that can be done in several ways including purchasing a new-build, or adding touches to make older or existing properties a higher level of “green”.
Looking at new-builds, and a fresh analysis compiled for The Independent by estate agents Yopa estimates owners could save £393 in energy bills per year compared with an existing home – which could potentially increase to £444 later this year when the price cap rises.
New builds are frequently more energy-efficient
Yopa says it made the calculations by analysing a February report from Home Builders Federation and Octopus Energy which highlighted financial and environmental advantages of new build homes. Yopa then produced its estimates considering the current energy price cap:
And estimates taking into account future price cap predictions (British Gas and EDF):
Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa says: “New builds are designed to far stricter 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 substantial.”
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One property developer promoting a collection of greener homes is London Square, which has energy smart townhouses on its Twickenham Square development site in the capital.
The firm forecasts energy bills from each of the new homes is from £27 per month, compared with the £137 UK average, per an EDF report this month for medium-sized households.
Buyers of some properties across the UK will likely have to consider a new build premium, where price tags can often be higher, reflecting latest quality specification and finish, compared with some similar-sized older homes.
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 but also low running costs.”
Yopa’s Frankish points out new build purchases won’t be right for every buyer, and says older homes “still offer excellent value in many parts of the market, particularly 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 energy savings in older sites
Octopus Energy outlined three ways to lower gas and electric costs in homes.
Top of the list was to beat volatile energy prices by generating your own power. Solar is one of the single biggest things you can do to slash your electricity bill, and some of the energy supplier’s customers have seen savings of 50–100 per cent on their electricity bills.
You can also swap your boiler for a cost-effective heat pump. They are suitable for millions of homes and the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 to households that swap their old gas boiler for a new heat pump, and up to £9,000 for oil and LPG boiler replacements, taking a chunk off the upfront cost.
Finally, Octopus says you can reduce bills with relatively simple upgrades.
There are some measures that do not require major works and can be done rapidly that will help make the energy used go further for less. This includes installing draught-proofing strips around windows and doors to seal gaps, saving households an average of £85 per year. Meanwhile, adding an insulation jacket to a hot water tank can reduce bills by a further £40 annually.
Elsewhere, Edward Heaton, founder of home buying agent Heaton & Partners doubles down on tackle heat escape.
It is a cause of rocketing bills in older houses, and he says “the easiest win in older and listed homes is to make the doors and windows as efficient as possible”, which could include having them double-glazed.
Don’t underestimate the impact of roof insulation, Heaton adds, while also noting modernising appliances, including boilers, can be a real long-term saver too. You might be surprised at how that old fridge you use for drinks in the garage burns energy at an extraordinary rate.
Heaton says not every house hunter is looking in-depth at EPC ratings, which examines 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 comes closer into sight”.
For homeowners, if the house is not listed, Heaton considers an EPC minimum rating of C is a typically sensible choice.
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