Energy Efficient Homes

Comfort, Efficiency and Savings Throughout the Year

Our new homes are thoughtfully designed and constructed to deliver outstanding energy efficiency, lower running costs and comfortable modern living. From high-performance building materials and enhanced insulation to renewable energy technologies and smart home features, sustainability is considered at every stage of the design and construction process. The result is an EPC A-rated home built for the future.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System 

We fit Solar PV systems to all of our new homes, helping homeowners generate renewable electricity directly from the sun and reduce day-to-day energy costs. Solar PV can help reduce reliance on grid-supplied power, improving overall energy efficiency and reducing household running costs throughout the year.

As part of our commitment to creating sustainable, future-focused homes, our Solar PV systems are designed to work alongside other energy-efficient technologies including air source heating and smart solar-compatible Ohme EV chargers. Where eligible, homeowners may also benefit from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), allowing surplus electricity generated by the solar PV system to be exported back to the grid in return for payments from participating energy suppliers.

Indicative Solar PV Systems Saving Example:

A typical 3.36kW Solar PV system fitted to an Abel Homes - Opal - 3-bedroom house could generate approximately 3,232kWh of electricity per year. Assuming 50% of the electricity generated is used directly within the home and 50% is exported back to the grid, homeowners could make significant savings on their annual electricity costs.

Based on an electricity import rate of 24p per kWh and an export tariff of 12p per kWh through a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) provider, this could equate to:

• Approximate annual electricity bill savings: £388
• Approximate annual export income: £194
• Total potential annual benefit: £582

Over a 10-year period, this could represent a potential saving and benefit of approximately £5,820.*

^{Energy tariffs based on Octopus Energy Fixed 12-month tariff and Octopus Outgoing Smart Export Tariff 2026. The figures and savings shown are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of system performance, energy savings or financial return. Actual performance and savings will vary depending on house type, PV system size, household energy usage, occupancy levels, energy consumption patterns, weather conditions, system configuration, electricity tariffs and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rates available at the relevant time.}   

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Any electricity you do not use in your home can be exported back to the electricity grid. Under the Government-backed Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, many UK energy suppliers will pay homeowners for this surplus electricity, helping to further reduce household energy costs.

Once you have moved into your new home and chosen an energy supplier offering an SEG tariff, you can apply directly with your preferred electricity supplier. Participating suppliers may include: Octopus Energy, British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON Next, OVO Energy

Air Source Heating System 

We use high-efficiency Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat pumps to provide an energy-efficient and lower-carbon solution for heating and hot water. Air source heat pumps work by extracting energy from the outside air and converting it into usable heating for the home, operating efficiently throughout the year even during colder winter conditions.

Compared with traditional gas or oil heating systems, air source heat pumps can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while helping homeowners benefit from lower running costs. Designed to operate at lower flow temperatures, the system provides a more consistent and comfortable level of warmth throughout the home, avoiding the sharp temperature fluctuations often associated with conventional boilers.

Under Floor Heating

To complement the air source heating system, our new homes feature underfloor heating to the ground floor and radiators to the first floor. Underfloor heating distributes heat evenly across the floor surface, creating a comfortable ambient temperature while removing the need for ground floor wall-mounted radiators. This not only improves usable wall space and furniture layout flexibility but also enhances comfort underfoot during colder months.

Triple Glazed Windows

Every home benefits from high-performance triple glazed windows, designed to improve energy efficiency, comfort and overall thermal performance. Triple glazing uses three panes of glass with insulating gas-filled cavities between each layer, helping to significantly reduce heat loss compared with traditional double glazing. This assists in maintaining a more consistent internal temperature throughout the year, reducing reliance on heating systems and helping to lower household energy costs.

In addition to improved thermal efficiency, triple glazed windows also provide enhanced acoustic insulation, helping to reduce external noise and create a quieter, more comfortable living environment. The improved internal glass surface temperatures can also help reduce condensation during colder weather, while contributing to the overall energy performance of the home.

Thermal Insulation

We use high levels of thermal insulation to the loft, ground floors and cavity walls, helping to retain heat within the home and improve overall energy efficiency. By reducing unwanted heat loss through the building fabric, insulation plays a key role in maintaining a warm, comfortable and consistent internal temperature throughout the year, while reducing reliance on the heating system during colder months.

Enhanced insulation not only contributes towards lower household energy consumption and reduced running costs, but also improves day-to-day comfort by helping homes stay warmer in winter and cooler during warmer weather. Combined with triple glazed windows, airtight construction methods and energy-efficient heating systems, the insulation specification forms an important part of the overall performance of every new build home supporting both sustainability and long-term energy efficiency.

Electric Vehicle Charging. 

Our new homes are fitted with Ohme 7kW smart EV chargers designed to integrate with the home’s Solar PV system and compatible smart energy tariffs, helping homeowners charge their vehicle more efficiently and cost-effectively. Intelligent charging technology can optimise charging times to make the most of self-generated solar electricity and lower off-peak energy rates, supporting reduced running costs and more sustainable living.

Attention to detail extends throughout all of our new homes, with features carefully selected to improve comfort, efficiency and long-term sustainability. External post boxes help enhance the thermal performance of the front door by removing the need for a traditional letterbox, while energy-efficient technologies including Solar PV generation, triple glazed windows, advanced insulation, low-energy lighting and air source heating systems work together to create modern homes designed for lower running costs and more sustainable living.

What’s an Energy Performance Certificate? 

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a property, providing a rating from A to G, with A representing the highest level of energy efficiency and lower running costs. Similar to the energy labels found on household appliances, an EPC helps homeowners understand how efficiently a property uses energy and the likely costs associated with heating, hot water and lighting.

An EPC also provides information on a property’s estimated carbon emissions and may include recommendations for further improvements that could enhance energy efficiency over time. The certificate offers a useful indication of the overall environmental performance of a home and its expected energy consumption. All EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of issue.

Every privately owned Abel Homes property is designed to achieve an EPC A rating, reflecting our commitment to delivering highly energy-efficient, future-focused homes that help reduce household energy costs and environmental impact.