Smart homes, zero bills: Octopus Energy’s scheme for housebuilders

Octopus Energy is offering a partnership with housebuilders that guarantees zero energy bills for occupiers using its Kraken technology platform. Andy Pearson speaks to Nigel Banks about the company’s first pilot and a 200-home scheme planned with Bellway Homes

CIBSE Building Performance Champion: getting real with retrofits

To meet its net zero targets, the UK has to get to grips with carbon emissions in its ageing houses, and fast. The Welsh School of Architecture’s retrofit programme is doing just that and its pioneering work was recognised last month when it was named CIBSE’s 2023 Building Performance Champion. Andy Pearson reports

Panel gains: supplementing heat pumps with solar panels

Incorporating solar energy arrays in district energy networks powered by heat pumps has the potential to reduce carbon emissions, but by how much and at what cost? FairHeat’s Mark Reynolds crunches the numbers and considers the options