Buying guide 07/02/2025

We moved to a bigger home but our energy bills HALVED - here’s how you can save too

A Weston-super-Mare based couple have revealed how they have saved more than £645 on energy bills over just six months following a move to a BIGGER house.

44-year-old Joe and 32-year-old Robert always aspired to purchase a new build home, little did they know that when they achieved their dream it would cost less to run than the flat they previously shared.

The couple moved to a 3-bedroom home at Keepmoat’s Winterstoke Gate development in Locking and have seen significant savings in energy bills, slashing their monthly bills in half. Before moving to Winterstoke Gate, the couple lived in a 2-bedroom flat where energy bills were costing £203 a month, now they pay an average of just £107 a month.

Winterstoke Gate, located in Locking Parklands - a village near Weston-super-Mare, features 135 carbon neutral homes incorporating Keepmoat’s Echo home design. The modern design supports residents to use less energy through improved thermal performance, reduced energy wastage and enhanced energy efficiency.

Each Echo home has been created to meet the anticipated Future Homes Standard, incorporating low-carbon renewable technologies, such as air source heat pumps, and solar panels, and features light-airy rooms and future-proofed living spaces, alongside more open spaces, trees and hedgerows, and wildlife habitats, supporting cleaner, healthier, low-carbon living.

Commenting on his move, Joe said: "Moving into a new build has been a long-awaited dream for both of us, and the whole process has been smooth and seamless. We’re absolutely delighted with our new home. Since we first got on the property ladder, we’ve always aimed for a sustainable forever home, and Winterstoke Gate ticks all the boxes, with energy-saving technology included as standard, something which we didn’t have in our old home. The savings we’ve already seen on energy costs have been amazing, and the added space to host our family has been an incredible bonus.

“We love the discreet solar panels on the roof—they’re a fantastic feature. The air-source heat pump is incredibly effective, keeping the house warm and comfortable with minimal energy use. We’re thrilled with our home’s EPC rating of A, and it’s so rewarding to see how we’re saving energy while enjoying the benefits of lower bills.

"Robert and I have also really enjoyed being so close to beautiful locations like the Mendip Hills. We’re surrounded by stunning places to walk and enjoy green spaces, and it’s been great exploring these with the new friends we've made in the local community.

“When looking to purchase a new home, Keepmoat really stood out to us for its build quality, spacious designs, and choice of options and extras. Moving into a new home can be expensive, so we're pleased with how quickly we’ve noticed a significant reduction in our energy bills thanks to Keepmoat’s innovative Echo Homes technology.”

Following the reduction in energy bills, the couple are now looking to purchase an electric vehicle, further enhancing their sustainability journey.

“We also now have an EV charging point, which has been really convenient for our guests. We’re over the moon with what we have saved already through Keepmoat’s energy-efficient technology and are already looking forward to getting our own electric vehicle in the near future to save even more!”

Trudie McCormick, Technical Development Director at Keepmoat, said: “At Keepmoat, we’re committed to building homes designed for the future. This means embracing complementary energy-efficient low carbon technologies as incorporated into our Echo homes delivered at Winterstoke Gate. Combined with high thermal performance this not only significantly reduces carbon footprints, but it also provides lasting value to homeowners, as demonstrated by the experiences of Joe and Robert.

“There’s a lot of concern about the initial cost of implementing energy-saving technology and a question over how long it will take to see cost savings, however, Joe and Robert’s story proves that savings can be seen instantly and are truly beneficial in the long run.

For Keepmoat, it’s not just about building homes, it's about futureproofing them for generations to come.”