Here at Platform, we’re always looking for ways to build new homes that meet the needs of our customers.
While every development we work on is affordable and beautifully designed, we’re increasingly looking at how we can drive sustainability, especially at a time when the cost of living is higher than ever.
A key way we do this is by leveraging energy-saving features, materials and building processes to help our customers save money.
How are we Building Energy Saving Homes?
When you buy with Platform, we want you to be assured that you’re not only reducing your energy bills but also reducing your entire carbon footprint and doing so in an effective way.
So what energy-saving home technology do we install, and how does it help you?
EV Charging Points
As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly common, many of our new build properties offer EV charging points. It’s estimated that the UK will outlaw the sale of traditional fuel vehicles by 2030 in an effort to hit sustainability targets.
As you’d expect, this means that the number of EVs is growing year on year. It’s estimated that there are around 1.4 million electric vehicles in the UK as of late 2025, a significant increase over the last five years.
For those with an electric car, a charging point is a fantastic investment, with UK Government data suggesting a car charging point could save drivers at least £700 a year, if not more.
In an effort to support our customers with EVs, we only use reliable installers and high-specification units, meaning we’re able to pass on the financial and environmental benefits to you.
Air Source Heating
As part of our push for sustainability, we’re increasingly adding air source heating systems to our new-build homes.
These air-to-water heat pumps allow residents to control the temperature of their property throughout the year, meaning they’re not just saving energy but ensuring their home is comfortable all year round.
The main reason people choose ASHPs is because of their energy efficiency. They’re able to produce multiple units of heat for every single unit of electricity used. In real terms, an air source heat pump can provide 3 to 4 times more heat than the energy it consumes.
PV Solar Panels
Many of our properties make use of the latest PV Solar Panel technology to create a clean source of sustainable energy, significantly reducing energy costs and helping new residents live a low-carbon lifestyle.
Aside from helping residents reduce their carbon footprint, solar panels also benefit homeowners financially. By using the electricity at the time of generation, residents can benefit from direct energy savings whilst also potentially receiving export payments under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.
If the homeowner creates a surplus of solar electricity, they may be paid by the grid. The export price paid by the grid (the price per kWh units of electricity) is much less than what the homeowner would pay their domestic electricity supplier.
We utilise the highest specification of solar panels possible to ensure your new home is future-proofed, creating a truly energy-efficient new build.
Energy Efficient Building Practices
We work with developers to ensure each and every home is built to a high specification and utilises the latest energy efficiency improvements.
This means they’re not only long-lasting but cheaper to run over time. We’re also proud to say that 100% of new homes delivered by Platform after 2023 have an energy efficiency rating of B or higher, significantly reducing both heat loss and carbon emissions across all of our newer developments.
It’s this commitment to sustainability during the construction process, as well as the fittings and fixtures inside the home, that help us ensure we’re always delivering energy-saving homes.
Redefining Sustainability with Platform
Sustainability is a core pillar for Platform. We’re not just building our developments in an environmentally-friendly way but applying these concepts across our entire business.
We always strive to choose and develop sites that include green spaces and specific sustainable features, with a focus on reducing harmful emissions to meet ongoing targets.
This is why we’re developing schemes with gas-free designs. It not only furthers our sustainability goals but also ensures that our customers have lower living costs, a key factor in an increasingly unaffordable climate.
For us, this has resulted in our efficiency increasing each year, reflected in our EPC ratings, where we're always B or above, and we've seen A ratings increasing exponentially:
- 23/24 – 98% EPC B, 1% EPC A, 1% EPC C (Average SAP = 83.77)
- 24/25 – 84% EPC B, 16% EPC A (Average SAP = 85.64)
- 25/26 Forecast – 73% EPC B, 27% EPC A (Average SAP = 87.78)
If you’re looking for a new home via an affordable home ownership scheme such as shared ownership, you’ll be happy to know that all of our new schemes also offer savings thanks to their energy efficiency.
