In a bold move to tackle soaring household energy costs, British Gas and Barratt Redrow have joined forces to offer selected UK households energy bills of £0 for a full two years.
The initiative, unveiled as part of a new housing development in Lincolnshire, aims to demonstrate how sustainable technologies can cut living costs while contributing to greener homes. British Gas, under the Centrica umbrella, is collaborating with the UK’s leading housebuilder, Barratt Redrow, to bring this pilot to life.
The trial will be rolled out at the Pastures Place development in Corby Glen, where 10 newly built homes will be equipped with cutting-edge energy-efficient features. For the lucky homeowners, this means no energy bills at all for 24 months.
It’s estimated that each household could save around £1,258 annually, equivalent to approximately £105 per month—a significant relief for families grappling with rising costs. However, actual savings may vary depending on house size, occupancy, and energy consumption habits.
“The partnership will see Barratt Redrow and British Gas test a template for delivering low to no bill homes at scale,” said Oliver Novakovic, Head of Technical & Innovation at Barratt Redrow.
This isn’t just a cost-saving exercise. It’s part of a broader push towards sustainable living. The trial follows earlier research at the University of Salford, where concept homes helped shape this real-world implementation.
“The trial of free energy bill homes at Corby Glen is an important step forward from the concept homes that we have built at the University of Salford to delivering the learnings into customers’ homes,” Novakovic added.
Homes in the trial are fitted with advanced insulation and state-of-the-art heating systems to reduce carbon output and improve energy efficiency. British Gas is also integrating Hive smart home technology to further optimise usage.
Hamish Phillips, Net Zero Business Development Director at Centrica, sees the partnership as a powerful example of how technology can drive real-world impact.
“British Gas is proud to bring its trusted expertise into the homes of the future using Hive’s innovative technology. We understand the meaningful difference that smart home solutions can make—not only helping customers save money, but also supporting their ambitions to live more sustainably.
Our partnership with Barratt Redrow is a strong example of how the right eco-tech empowers people to take control of their energy use and get even more from their homes.”
This Lincolnshire trial may just be the beginning. If successful, the template could be expanded nationwide, helping more households transition to low-carbon living while slashing energy costs.
With UK energy prices still above pre-crisis levels, the timing couldn’t be better. And for residents of Pastures Place, the future looks bright—and cost-free.
