East Midlands home builder prioritises energy efficiency for all new builds

East Midlands-based, family-run home builder, Fairgrove, is committed to helping its customers tackle the cost-of-living crisis by making its new homes both affordable and cost effective.

As energy prices continue to rise, the cost-of-living crisis has significantly impacted home buyers’ considerations when looking to move house. Energy ratings, usage and annual running costs are more important than ever when on the hunt for a new home.

According to the Home Builders Federation (HBF), one in four buyers are now putting energy efficiency as a key consideration when purchasing a house. Lenders are also being encouraged to support buyers to make environmental and economic choices.

New build homes have been a more energy efficient option over second hand homes due to the leaps and bounds of technology and materials in the last ten years such as new appliances, better insulation, underfloor heating, and modern building materials. Sustainability standards are also a bigger priority.

Fairgrove, based at Bridge House in Kimberley, Nottingham, is currently operating at three sites across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Fairgrove’s developments include The Brewery Yard and Nine Corners in Kimberley, as well as Swanwick Fields, near Alfreton. The family-run firm are keen to consider and support their new home buyers in their efforts to reduce energy costs by investing in energy efficient technologies.

Over the coming months, with the implementation of new technologies, Fairgrove are expecting even better energy efficiency than current. B83 is their average score, and with further investment, time, and development, the home builder plan on making homes as cost and energy efficient as they can.

Steve Midgley, Fairgrove’s Managing Director, said: “We understand the importance of being ahead of the governments timetable for energy efficiency in new homes, which begins later this year and goes even further by 2025. Ensuring that the savings can be made in energy costs within our new homes are in line with other housebuilders on the market, and even better than some is something we’re keen to focus on.

“EPCs are now mandatory for domestic buildings and this provides new homeowners with an indicator on how energy efficient their property is and how they can save on costs. We think this is vital in ensuring that new homes like ours at Fairgrove, are cost efficient, green, and best suited to our purchasers.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government explained that in the 12 months to June 2021, 251,000 EPCs were lodged for new build homes, an increase of 16% on the previous year. 85% of new build homes in England and Wales are now in the highest energy efficient bands with an energy rating of A or B.

New research based on the Government Energy Performance Certificate data has found that buyers of a new build house will save on average around £2,600 a year in energy bills.

The report ‘Watt a Save’, shows that in total, last year’s new build purchasers are saving more than £500m on annual energy bills, with new build homes emitting a third of the carbon of an older property, reducing carbon emissions by over 500,000 tonnes.

Steve added: “Homeowners are likely to able to save a great deal more than £2,600 per year in our properties, which makes us really proud. We hope that this will help new families once they have moved into our homes, in saving on their energy costs, during the cost-of-living crisis.”

For more information about the ongoing developments of Fairgrove, please visit: https://www.fairgrove.co.uk