What It’s Like to Own a Home With No Energy Bills

Steve and Sarah were looking for a smart first home — one that was energy-efficient, affordable to run, and ready for the future. They found it at Templegate, a sustainable community where homes are powered entirely by renewable energy and come with no energy bills for five years.

Located near the South Downs National Park in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, their three-bedroom house is part of the 120-home, net zero carbon community we’re building at Templegate in partnership with housing association Aster Group. 

Each home features:

• Solar PV panels

• Air-source heat pump

• High-performance insulation

48 of the homes at Templegate go even further by being eligible for an Octopus Energy Zero Bills tariff. These homes also include a battery to store energy, with Octopus managing what is taken from and sent to the grid. This results in no energy bills for at least five years. Steve and Sarah chose a Zero Bills home at Templegate as their first home. 

Making the right choice

Steve, a pilot, has long been interested in renewable energy. He drives an electric car and had researched solar and heat pumps before. When he and Sarah found a home that came with everything built in — they knew it was the right choice. 

They paid £565,000 for the home — more than they originally planned — but saw the long-term value. It’s low-maintenance, future-proof, and zero cost for energy for at least five years.

“Even the solar panels clean themselves when it rains,” Steve said.

“No matter what happens with energy prices, we know what to expect,” Sarah added.

Before moving, they were spending about £150 a month on energy. Now? They pay nothing. Their contract ensures zero bills for at least five years.

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Templegate, Burgess Hill

As a Certified Delivery Partner of Octopus Energy, we’re leading the shift toward homes that are affordable to live in and offer a more sustainable lifestyle. Templegate is one example of that vision: 48 Zero Bills homes, backed by modern design and clean technology, forming part of a fully net zero carbon community.

Explore the Templegate development and how a home with no energy bills could work for you.

Visit our Zero Bills page