HEAT PUMPS | ZERO BILLS HOMES exported, but then you are not paying for imported energy either, says Banks. Fair-use policy For customers who might think that signing up for Zero Bills is an opportunity to be profligate with their energy use, Octopus Energys terms and conditions include a fair usage policy, which is currently set at double the consumption for a typical home. Above this threshold, consumption is charged at Octopus Energys standard rate. Another caveat is that electric vehicle (EV) charging is not included in the Zero Bills scheme because, Banks says, an EV can effectively double a homes electricity consumption. In addition to helping eliminate stress and anxiety around the payment of household energy bills, which are typically around 1,800 per year, Banks says another benefit of the Zero Bills initiative is that it can be factored into mortgage lenders affordability calculations. This may allow home purchasers to borrow more money than they would otherwise be able to do. One of the biggest barriers to adopting higher energy performance standards is that it costs money to increase the fabric spec and install additional kit, explains Banks. Because we are guaranteeing zero bills, PVs will be expected to deliver between 8kWp and 12kWp A BELLWETHER FOR ZERO ENERGY BILL HOMES? Bellway Homes is partnering with Octopus Energy in anticipation of being able to deliver Zero Bills homes on its developments. Initially, it is starting small: the housebuilder is trialling the Zero Bills scheme on three test homes, which it has built to the expected Future Homes Standard, at its Victoria Gate development in Stafford. From 2024, however, Bellway plans to build a further 250 Zero Bills homes at a development in Bedfordshire, with the potential for more sites to follow. Were working with Bellway to see how many of the homes it has already designed will be suitable for Zero Bills accreditation on its upcoming sites, says Banks. some lenders are willing to include that in their affordability calculation, to enable a customer to borrow more money. As more and more renewables are connected to the Grid, the time at which homes use energy will have a big impact on the carbon footprint and cost of that energy which, Banks says, will be almost as big as the amount of energy being used. The need for demand flexibility and energy storage to manage the intermittent renewables will only continue to increase. Banks says: It is the smart control of demand management behind Zero Bills that will minimise the infrastructure upgrades required on the Grid and help bring down everyones costs, so this really does work for everyone. CJ www.jung-pumps.co.uk 0118 9821 555 Every time you specify a DrainMajor Tank, we will donate 5 to the Rainforest Trust. Tank Construction Polyethylene DrainMajor Wastewater Pumping System Email davidj@pumptechnology.co.uk so that we can donate on your behalf Specify pumping systems with recyclable tanks to support the environment! 52 December 2023 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Dec 23 pp49-50, 52 Octopus heat pumps.indd 52 24/11/2023 14:51