Zero Energy Bills, Better Homes, Less Stress

In this episode of Making Housing Better, Jenny Danson speaks with Nigel Banks, Technical Director for Zero Bills and Low Carbon Homes at Octopus Energy, about transforming energy use in social housing. From the stubborn link between electricity prices and gas to pioneering Zero Bills homes, the conversation offers a roadmap for affordable, low-carbon living. 

Key insights include: 

• Current energy costs remain around £1,600–£1,700/year for typical households, with prepayment customers facing extra strain from standing charges. 

• Decarbonisation means removing fossil fuels, particularly gas boilers, and shifting to electric heating via heat pumps. 

• Zero Bills model: Combining solar panels, home batteries, heat pumps, and smart controls to guarantee no home energy bills for 10 years, with significant mental health and affordability benefits. 

• Roof orientation is less critical than expected — east/west performs almost as well as south-facing. 

• Funding challenge: In social housing, the landlord carries the cost while tenants see the benefit; innovative models like Tenant Power could share savings. 

• Future opportunities include microgrids for flats and further cost reductions in battery technology. 

Learn more: Octopus Energy Zero Bills 

Practical steps for housing providers: 

1. Develop a clear energy strategy that integrates cost reduction with decarbonisation. 

2. Assess stock for zero bills retrofit potential, especially mid-terrace and new-build homes. 

3. Explore shared-benefit models to balance landlord investment with tenant savings. 

4. Pilot smart tariff switching and load shifting to cut bills immediately. 

5. Investigate microgrid options for apartments and dense housing.