New Oxfordshire homes promise ultra-low energy bills

Greencore Homes, an award-winning sustainable housebuilder, recently showcased its ‘Better Than Net Zero’ homes at a public event in Milton Heights, near Didcot.

The event, held on Saturday, May 16, aimed to demonstrate how the company’s advanced housing design can drastically cut – or even eliminate – household energy bills through cutting-edge design and technology.

Attendees toured a high-performance show home at The Canopies development and learned about the use of Passivhaus standards, renewable energy solutions, and smart energy systems.

These elements work together across the development’s 42 homes to deliver cleaner, more affordable, and healthier living.

Jon Di-Stefano, CEO of Greencore Homes, said: “Events like Beat Your Bills are incredibly important because they allow people to experience the difference these homes make in real life.

“Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty and protection from rising household costs, and homes that dramatically reduce energy demand can provide exactly that.

“At The Canopies, we are demonstrating that sustainable living does not mean compromise.

“These are beautifully designed homes that are healthier to live in, cheaper to run, and built for the future.

“The response from visitors has been extremely positive, particularly from those looking for greater control over their monthly outgoings.”

Recent smart monitoring data from the site reveals standout performance.

A typical three-bedroom home at The Canopies costs just £264 a year to run on a standard fixed tariff.

For comparison, a similarly rated EPC A home elsewhere would average around £521.

By switching to an Octopus Go tariff, annual bills could drop to £70 – and with a 13kWh battery and smart tariff setup, homeowners could even generate net energy credits of up to £335 per year.

Energy savings extend across all house types.

Two-bedroom homes could see credits up to £348, and even four-bedroom homes could generate up to £115 in net annual energy credits.

Visitors learned how technologies such as solar PV panels, air source heat pumps, mechanical heat recovery ventilation, and advanced insulation combine to reduce energy consumption.

Homes at The Canopies start from £383,000.

The development includes one, two, three, and four-bedroom homes all designed to Passivhaus standards.

As well as offering high energy performance, the design prioritises wellbeing and biodiversity through green corridors, wildflower meadows, and landscaped open spaces.

The Canopies is located in Milton Heights, with residents benefitting from direct rail links via nearby Didcot Parkway to Oxford, Reading, and London Paddington.