E.ON launches new smart service which could save UK households £18 monthly. Next Optimise connects to wholesale prices and uses smart automation to charge batteries. E.ON Next is launching Next Optimise, a new smart energy service that helps solar and battery households take greater control of their energy use and make better savings on their bills. Article continues below Developed using technology proven in 80 thousand Australian homes, Next Optimise connects to wholesale prices and uses smart automation to charge batteries when prices are low and use or export stored energy when prices rise. Piloted under the name Next Solar Max, early findings showed a boost to the savings made by households with similar solar and battery set ups on a standard variable tariff and SEG. Every household saw some level of bill reduction, with the average customers saving around £18 a month, and some achieving savings close to £100. One home saw a saving of £27 in just one week during a period of sharp wholesale price swings. Modelling also indicates households could save close to £300 per year. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info To provide customers with even greater value, E.ON Next is waiving any monthly subscription fee on the first version of the product for 12 months. The product marks a UK first by combining half hourly electricity prices with automated battery control and fully integrated system management. This means homes can get more value from their solar and battery system in a way that's simple, automatic and requires no effort from the customer, or any understanding of wholesale markets. Article continues below For customers, this means smarter use of the electricity they generate, store and use, lower bills and less reliance on the grid, without needing to monitor prices or change their daily routine. Chris Norbury, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said: "It's more important than ever that we help people take control of their energy use and lower their bills. Consumers are showing strong interest in solar and battery as a solution, and this product adds to the savings that can be achieved by generating and storing energy at home. Next Optimise gives customers a simpler, smarter way to manage their home energy, and allows them to keep more of the value it creates. "This is about giving people greater confidence in a changing energy market. By using intelligent automation and clear, market linked price information, we can help more households cut their bills while building a more resilient energy system from the ground up." Through its partnership with Amber Electric, E.ON Next is bringing technology widely used in Australian homes to the UK for the first time, giving households access to real-time market signals normally inaccessible to consumers. Dan Adams, CEO of Amber Electric, said: "Bringing our technology to UK homes with E.ON Next comes at a vital time for bill payers with solar panels, batteries and EVs. "The money-saving potential of our platform has been proven in tens of thousands of households across Australia, consistently reducing energy costs while making better use of renewable energy. Partnering with E.ON Next to bring this capability to UK homes means even more people can unlock the full potential of their solar, batteries and EVs and play an active role in a smarter, more flexible and more resilient energy system." Join our dedicated BirminghamLive WhatsApp community for the latest updates sent straight to your phone as they happen. Article continues below Get the top stories in your inbox to browse through at a time that suits you.

New homes promise £25 monthly energy bills with built-in solar and storage. E.ON Next launches fixed-cost energy offer for new homes combining solar panels, batteries and smart tech E.ON Next has unveiled a new offer designed to deliver predictable, low-cost energy for new-build homes, with electricity bills fixed at £25 per month. The "Lower Bills, Built In" package combines rooftop solar panels, home battery storage and a smart energy management system to reduce reliance on grid electricity and stabilise household costs. The first homes to feature the system will be built at the Avalon Grove development in Worcestershire in partnership with Cotswold Oak Homes. Each property will generate its own electricity during the day, store surplus power in a battery and automatically manage usage through an integrated system. Homeowners will also be able to monitor energy generation and consumption via a dedicated app. E.ON said the approach offers a scalable solution for developers and could be applied across a wide range of new-build properties, rather than being limited to high-end homes. Research from the company suggests strong consumer demand, with three-quarters of buyers saying they would choose a home with solar panels and most willing to pay more upfront for lower running costs. Chief Executive Chris Norbury said the model could help future-proof housing as building standards tighten, while also supporting households with more affordable and predictable bills. E.ON is now calling for wider adoption of solar in new homes ahead of the Future Homes Standard. Grab the opportunity to progress your Net Zero journey. The Big Zero Show 2026 is for end users responsible for reducing cost, carbon and energy and its mission is to educate and help them progress their Net Zero journey. It will run March 24th at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.