An introduction to the new Code for
Sustainable Homes
The Department for Communities and Local
Government (CLG) has developed the Code
for Sustainable Homes (Code) in
conjunction with the BRE as a further
continuation and improvement on the
existing and well-known EcoHomes scheme.
All new developments will be registered
under the Code* which remains similar to
EcoHomes with many credits kept the same
or with only slight modifications.
* in some select circumstances,
developments might qualify to be
registered under the old EcoHomes 2006
scheme. Please
contact us
for more information.
The Code Star Scoring System
Developments will get a score from 1 to
6 stars depending on the level of
performance overall and within select
credits. A six star rating will be
awarded to carbon neutral homes that
would additionally incorporate
substantial eco-friendly
features, such as rainwater harvesting
systems.
|
Code
Level |
EcoHomes
Equivalence |
|
Level
1 |
л |
PASS |
|
Level
2 |
лл |
GOOD |
|
Level
3 |
ллл |
VERY
GOOD |
|
Level
4 |
лллл |
EXCELLENT |
|
Level
5 |
ллллл |
--- |
|
Level
6 |
лллллл |
--- |
Nine
Credit Categories
1.
Energy/CO2
2. Water
3. Materials
4. Surface Water Run-off
5. Waste
6. Pollution
7. Health and well-being
8. Management
9. Ecology
Code Highlights - Main Differences from
EcoHomes
1.
Compulsory requirements will have to be
met for all developments in
order to achieve even the lowest
Code Level 1.
2. For each Code Level, variable minimum
thresholds will need to be
achieved in terms of energy (CO2
emissions) and internal water
consumption.
3. Post Construction Review on-site
audits and assessments have
become compulsory, to ensure
Code-related design specifications are
incorporated into the buildings.
4. Code assessments will be carried out
at the individual dwelling level,
instead of the full development and one
Code Certificate per dwelling
will be issued.
How
EcoConsulting can Help
In order to achieve the highest possible
rating at the lowest capital cost, BRE
recommends high involvement of an
assessor from the earliest design stage,
particularly for the first few projects
of a developer under the Code.
EcoConsulting offers the following Code
for Sustainable Homes services:
• Code pre-assessment and
pre-planning
sustainability report
• Pre-certification advice on achieving a specific Star
Level
•
NHER-certified SAP
assessments
needed to assess Ene1 (Dwelling Emission
Rate) and Ene2 (Building Envelope)
energy credits
•
Day-lighting
Calculations and advice on
achieving Hea1 (Daylighting) credits
• Holistic approach on integrating best practice and
cost-effective solutions into
design
• Code final assessment and certification
For more
information about conducting a Code for
Sustainable Homes assessment, or on
detailed advice on how to achieve the
best rating, please
contact us.
