Carbon Futures, one of the UK’s leading consultancies in energy performance and sustainability for the built environment, has been formally appointed as a Certified Assessor for Octopus Energy’s Zero Bills initiative, a bold new housing standard promising homeowners zero energy bills for a decade.
The announcement was made at the Zero Bills Awards held in London, where Carbon Futures was recognised for its vital role in helping to develop the assessment methodology and tools that underpin the new certification. This collaboration represents a pivotal moment for sustainable construction in the UK, as the standard introduces a new global benchmark for the delivery of highly energy-efficient, tech-enabled homes that are both affordable and future-proof.
At its core, a Zero Bills home is an ultra-efficient, climate-conscious property designed to remove household energy costs entirely. Homes accredited under the standard must include integrated solar PV panels, battery energy storage, smart heating systems, and real-time energy management technology to help residents generate and manage their own power, all while maintaining year-round comfort. These homes are guaranteed to operate with no energy bills for 10 years, regardless of seasonal fluctuations or rising tariffs, a game-changing proposition for homeowners, tenants, and developers alike.
The standard was created not only to accelerate the UK’s path to net zero, but also to combat the dual crisis of fuel poverty and housing emissions, which remain two of the most pressing social and environmental issues facing the country.
Carbon Futures brings deep experience in housing performance assessment and a proven track record of delivering energy consultancy on large-scale developments across Scotland and the wider UK. As a founding Certified Assessor, the consultancy will play a key role in supporting architects, developers, and housing associations in designing or upgrading properties to meet the rigorous Zero Bills criteria.
“We’re incredibly proud to have supported Octopus Energy in the early development of the Zero Bills standard,” said Andrew Money, Director at Carbon Futures. “This is a major leap forward in demonstrating how homes can be built to radically reduce operational energy costs, especially for those in social and affordable housing, where the impact of lower bills will be felt most. We’re excited to work with partners across the UK to bring Zero Bills homes to life.”
Carbon Futures will now assess building specifications, identify areas for performance improvements, and help clients unlock eligibility for the Zero Bills certification, enabling residents to access guaranteed bill-free living for a full decade.
The launch of the Zero Bills standard comes at a time of increasing legislative momentum around clean energy and building performance. With the New Build Heat Standard now in place in Scotland, and the UK government’s ongoing push toward all-electric, low-carbon housing, Octopus Energy’s initiative is arriving at a critical juncture.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Carbon Futures as one of our key Certified Assessors,” said Jim Bennett, Director of Zero Bills Scotland at Octopus Energy. “Their expertise in sustainable housing design is second to none, and their commitment to social impact aligns perfectly with our mission. Now is the perfect time to bring Zero Bills homes to Scotland and to ensure that clean, affordable living is not just a luxury, but a baseline.”
Octopus Energy has already certified over 1,000 homes across England and is actively working with some of the country’s leading developers to bring Zero Bills housing into mainstream construction. Projects currently span affordable and private rented schemes, shared ownership, and owner-occupied homes, with more developments underway in key cities and regions.
More than just a set of technical requirements, the Zero Bills standard represents a strategic reimagining of what modern homes, can, and should be. As energy prices remain volatile and the climate crisis deepens, homeowners and policymakers alike are looking for long-term, scalable solutions that make carbon-neutral housing both desirable and accessible.
With government targets mandating net-zero building emissions by 2050, and increasing demand from buyers for eco-conscious housing, the Zero Bills initiative positions itself at the intersection of green innovation, economic resilience, and social equity.
Looking ahead, Carbon Futures and Octopus Energy aim to scale the Zero Bills framework even further, supporting local authorities, housing associations, and private developers to bring this vision of truly affordable, carbon-free housing to every corner of the UK.
“This isn’t just about removing bills,” added Money. “It’s about creating homes that are healthy, smart, resilient, and sustainable and doing it in a way that’s scalable and inclusive. That’s what makes this partnership with Octopus Energy so powerful.”
With demand for sustainable housing solutions soaring and net-zero deadlines fast approaching, the Carbon Futures–Octopus Energy alliance could signal a new era in green construction, one where zero bills and zero carbon go hand in hand.