How A New Build Home Can Help You Beat The Price Cap

Homeowners who choose to buy new build properties can make savings on their energy (and water) bills. We’ll take a closer look at how choosing a new build home can help you beat the Price Cap.

On April 1st 2025, the Energy Price Cap rose again - British homeowners, who will be faced with yet-higher bills. The Cap rose by 6% this time, meaning that a typical household will now pay an eye-watering £1,849 a year for their energy.

Do new build homes really keep your bills down?

Yes, new build homes are cheaper to run than similar-sized older properties. Figures from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) demonstrate the energy efficiency of new-build homes. Their information comes from the Government’s EPC tables and shows that new-build homes typically use half the energy of their older counterparts.

Data taken from the October 2024 price cap showed that, on average, a new-build homeowner can save around £65 a month on their heating, hot water and lighting bills. That’s a saving of £780 a year. The saving is even better on a new build house, with an average annual difference of £979.

Stricter building regulations for energy efficiency

New builds fall under recent building regulations, which are increasingly focused on energy-efficient performance. The HBF figures from September 2024 show that 86% of new build homes achieve the highest level of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - great news for new-build homeowners.

Energy-saving features in a new-build home

Energy efficiency is built into new homes. You’ll have a home that’s more economical to run as well as extremely comfortable to live in.

Here are some of those money-saving features.

High standards of insulation

Insulation in the walls and loft keeps the warmth in and the cold out, and can also prevent overheating in the summer. Building regulations have strict specifications about type and thickness of insulation for optimum effectiveness.

Waste-cutting air-tight construction…

Drafty nooks and crannies and features like poorly fitting windows can really reduce the energy efficiency of a house. Modern “passive building” techniques create a gap-free “envelope” which keeps those pesky (and wasteful) drafts away.

…but with good ventilation

Air tightness is important, but so is ventilation. A home needs proper ventilation to stay healthy and be comfortable to live in. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems are an efficient way to keep the air fresh and flowing.

Modern windows - and natural light

New double- and triple-glazed windows effectively minimise heat transfer to reduce energy bills. Our Tilia Homes new builds are also designed to maximise natural light through windows and cutting down the need for lighting.

Renewable energy sources

House builders are increasingly embracing sustainable approaches to heating and water sources. Your new-build home might have solar panels, heat source pumps, and be controlled by programmable thermostats so you can personalise your use.

Energy-efficient appliances

Any appliances included in a new-build home, such as your white goods, will have an excellent energy rating. From LED lighting to smart thermostats, fittings can make a real difference to your home’s energy consumption.

Can energy-saving features be retro-fitted?

Yes, you can fit energy-saving features like solar panels, a new boiler or new windows to an older property. However, this takes time, and money!

If you choose a new-build home, energy efficiency is literally built in. You’ll be saving money on your energy bills from the day you move in, without the expense of replacing or repairing anything.

What’s the future for our energy bills?

Independent analysts Cornwall Insight describe the current international market as “volatile”.

They’ve predicted a slight decrease in the price cap this summer, but think it might rise again in October 2025 - just in time for the expensive winter months.

Taking this into account, we’d all be wise to plan ahead for future uncertainties. A new-build property is designed to maximise energy efficiency, from the ground up. If you’re thinking of making a move or buying your first home but are concerned about the running costs, a new-build property is an excellent energy-efficient option.

Want to know more? Find out how to keep your energy bills low while prices rise by speaking with the helpful Tilia Homes team about our low-energy developments.