Web Guide To The Code For Sustainable Homes. Part 1
Posted By Paul Myers on October 26, 2010
The Code is a voluntary standard designed to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single framework within which the home building industry can design and construct homes to higher environmental standards and offers a tool for developers to differentiate themselves within the market.
The Code offers a tool for home builders to demonstrate the sustainability performance of their homes, and to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The Code is closely linked to Building Regulations, which are the minimum building standards required by law. Minimum standards for Code compliance have been set above the requirements of Building Regulations. The Code signals the future direction of Building Regulations in relation to carbon emissions from, and energy use in homes, providing greater regulatory certainty for the homebuilding industry.
The Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) was introduced in England in April 2007 following extensive consultation with environmental groups and the home building and wider construction industries.
The Code assigns one or more performance requirements (assessment criteria) to all of the environmental issues. When each performance requirement is achieved, a credit is awarded (except for the four mandatory requirements with no associated credits). The total number of credits available to a Category is the sum of credits available for all the issues within it.
The Code complements the system of Energy Performance Certificates for new homes, which will be introduced in April 2008 under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The Code measures the sustainability of a home against nine design categories, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package.
If the mandatory minimum performance standard is met for the four un-credited issues, two further mandatory issues need to be considered. These are agreed to be such important environmental issues that separate government policies are being pursued to mitigate their effects. Credits are awarded for every level of achievement recognised within the Code, and minimum mandatory standards increase with increasing rating levels.
The Code for Sustainable Homes is a voluntary standard designed to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single framework for Sustainable Construction.
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