Octopus Energy to trial ‘Zero Bills’ upgrade on existing homes

• Octopus Energy is expanding its ‘Zero Bills’ initiative
• It will run on new homes in Suffolk through the County Council’s Warm Homes Loan
• 500,000 UK properties built since 2013 could be eligible

Octopus Energy is expanding its ‘Zero Bills’ initiative by teaming up with Suffolk County Council to run a trial for existing homes in a bid to help eliminate more energy bills for households. 

The trial aims to transform existing homes by installing low-carbon technology, such as heat pumps, solar panels and solar batteries, to bring them up to Octopus’ ‘Zero Bills’ standard, where customers receive no energy bills for at least five years. 

The scheme will run on new homes in Suffolk through the County Council’s £15,000 interest-free Warm Homes Loan, which covers the upfront cost of installing solar panels and a battery. This will allow Suffolk homeowners who already have a heat pump to embrace low-carbon living, while unlocking major savings on their energy bills. 

Nigel Banks, zero bills director, Octopus Energy, said: “Upgrading existing homes is the next step in making energy-bill-free living accessible to more people. 

“Thanks to the innovative approach from Suffolk County Council, local authorities can now play a vital role in bringing sustainable, cost-free energy to householders. By working together, we can help local people eliminate bills, reduce carbon emissions and create a model for communities across the UK to embrace a greener future.” 

Octopus is currently reaching out to local Suffolk customers with homes built since 2015 to offer them the chance to join the trial and take advantage of the council’s funding. 

The energy supplier estimates 500,000 UK properties built since 2013 could be eligible to be upgraded to a ‘Zero Bills’ home. 

Up to 100,000 ‘Zero Bills’ homes aim to be delivered by the energy supplier by 2030, and it has already rolled out the initiative in Germany, New Zealand as well as the UK. 

Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, Suffolk County Council, added: “Suffolk County Council prides itself on bringing pioneering net zero projects to our residents, and we’re excited to be the first local authority working with Octopus Energy on ‘Zero Bills’. 

“We appreciate the role we have as a local authority to be able to lead, influence and support local residents in as many ways as possible to help reduce both their energy bills and their impact on the environment.” 

Octopus Energy has already accredited more than 1,200 ‘Zero Bills’ homes through contracts with a number of prominent developers, which span across affordable housing, private renting, as well as private and shared ownership. 

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Tamara Birch Senior writer

Tamara is a London-based journalist and has written about environmental topics for more than four years. This includes advising small business owners on cost-effective ways, like solar panels and energy-efficient products, to help them become more sustainable.

She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment – all while reducing monthly costs.

In addition to adopting sustainable practices in her personal life, Tamara has worked in the retail B2B space to help independent retailers think about their environmental choices and how they can help improve their business. She now uses this knowledge to help consumers do the same.

Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.

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Maximilian Schwerdtfeger Content manager

Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.

In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.

He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.

Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.

As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.

His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.

Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history and ghost stories. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.

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