A new and exciting step towards sustainable living is happening near Bristol, UK. Octopus Real Estate, a leading real estate investor and lender, has provided £6.9 million in funding to Verto Homes, a company known for building ultra-sustainable homes. This partnership will help develop 12 brand-new eco-friendly houses in the village of Blagdon, and all of them will offer ‘Zero Bills’ for energy.
What Are ‘Zero Bills’ Homes?
These homes are part of a world-first scheme by Octopus Energy that promises no energy bills for at least 10 years. That means people moving into these homes will never have to pay electricity or gas charges during that time.
The homes are packed with high-end green technology like solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, and smart energy systems that produce and manage their own power. This idea is already drawing attention from other big energy names like British Gas, EDF, E.On Next, and Ovo Energy.
The Loan That Makes It Happen
Octopus Real Estate has given Verto a £6.9 million loan to support this development. Jenna Hollins, Investment Manager at Octopus Real Estate, said they only back homes that are sustainable and future-ready. She praised Verto for building large homes with historical and listed features, and still achieving very high green standards.
According to Jenna, it’s not just about putting up buildings—it’s about supporting developers who are changing how homes are made to meet today’s environmental needs.
Verto’s Vision for the Future
Tom Carr, Co-Founder of Verto Homes, said that this project is another milestone in their mission to change how homes are built. He believes in bold steps, not small changes, and says the homes in Blagdon will set a new standard in energy-efficient housing. With support from Octopus, Verto wants to show that sustainable living isn’t just possible—it should be normal.
Octopus Energy’s Bigger Plan
Nigel Banks, Director of the Zero Bills programme at Octopus Energy, shared that this is part of their bigger goal to create 100,000 Zero Bills homes by 2030. For them, it’s not just about cheaper living—it’s about building a whole new way of life that’s clean, green, and reliable.
What Will These Homes Include?
Each home in this project will come with:
- EV charging points
- Triple-glazed windows and doors
- Underfloor heating
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
- A-rated energy-efficient appliances
- High-performance insulation
All of these features will help the homes run efficiently and stay warm in winter, cool in summer, and use as little outside energy as possible.
The Octopus-Verto project is not just about building homes—it’s about changing the future of housing. With no energy bills for 10 years, state-of-the-art technology, and full eco-certification, these homes represent the next generation of sustainable living. This isn’t just a great idea—it’s proof that climate-friendly living can be practical, beautiful, and financially smart. As the UK works towards a greener future, projects like this will lead the way.
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FAQs
What is a ‘Zero Bills’ home?
A ‘Zero Bills’ home is a fully energy-efficient house that guarantees no energy bills for at least 10 years, thanks to smart green tech and renewable energy systems.
Who is funding the new Zero Bills homes near Bristol?
Octopus Real Estate has given a £6.9 million loan to Verto Homes to fund the building of 12 Zero Bills homes in Blagdon, near Bristol.
What green features do these homes include?
Each home will include solar panels, EV chargers, triple-glazed windows, underfloor heating, A-rated appliances, and more for full energy efficiency.
How long do the homes guarantee no energy bills?
Each Zero Bills home offers a minimum of 10 years without any electricity or gas bills, covered under Octopus Energy’s unique tariff.
What is the long-term goal of Octopus Energy’s Zero Bills initiative?
Octopus Energy plans to build 100,000 Zero Bills homes by 2030 as part of their mission to promote sustainable, cost-free energy living.