As part of the Green Home Finance Accelerator (GHFA), the initiative will eliminate upfront costs for consumers considering heat pumps, solar PV, or battery storage via a 20-year subscription service, with monthly payments expected to be around £150 per month. The solution will also integrate a bespoke E.ON Next energy tariff, reducing home energy costs by up to £70 per month.
Around 350 households in the North West of England will be allowed to be the first to benefit from this new service agreement when it is launched in the spring.
As a core service component, the Heatio Flexx Home Energy Management Solution will implement a data-driven approach to specify energy-efficient technologies tailored to individual households based on their energy usage and property type.
With homes responsible for 40% of the UK’s total emissions, decarbonising homes is pivotal in the UK’s carbon reduction efforts. The pilot aims to facilitate the adoption of alternative energy sources by making the market accessible to those with lower incomes and no available capital.
Net zero-readiness
Thomas Farquhar, co-founder of Heatio, emphasised the significance of equipping homes with low-carbon heating systems for ‘net-zero readiness’. He said: “This initiative isn’t just a benefit to the environment, it’s a huge benefit for households and consumers.
“Embracing clean energy unlocks lower energy bills, promotes cleaner energy usage, and ensures homes are both warm and environmentally friendly. Energy as a Service is the first home subscription that actually unlocks energy savings, the Netflix of low carbon technologies.
“Our aim, working with E.ON and Energy Systems Catapult, to advance things forward in helping the public get access to greener technology is necessary if we are to transition away from fossil fuels truly. This is a fantastic opportunity to take a data-driven approach with Heatio Flexx, which will offer accurate specifications to deliver consumer confidence, incentivising homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and deliver energy security.”
The GHFA was launched by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero through its Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). The GHFA was established to fund innovative green finance products, promoting the uptake of home energy efficiency and low-carbon heating measures.
Transforming the energy system
Chris Norbury, E.ON UK chief executive, said: “Bundling the technology along with service is commonplace for the many millions of people around the UK who have a mobile phone contract. We’re bringing the same flexibility to energy customers so they can benefit from the transition to cleaner and greener homes without the need to find upfront finance.
“This is a game-changer for home heating and makes sustainable energy more affordable in the first place, while lowering bills in the longer term and helping transform the energy system.”