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Somerset Energy Assessors Association Serving Somerset |
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CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES You can find out all about the Code for Sustainable Homes from the CLG booklet on the subject, available by clicking on the cover picture to the right. This code is set to become the point of reference in the future, and is already available now, as a voluntary measure. |
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The Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced by the Government in April 2007 and replaces BREEAM's EcoHomes as the new environmental assessment method for homes in England. Like EcoHomes, the new method measures the sustainability of homes across various categories - water efficiency, surface water management, site waste management, household waste management, and the use of materials. However there are now minimum standards that must be met in the areas of water, energy, materials and surface water management. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. A home assessed as 6 stars will have achieved the highest sustainability rating. The results of the Code assessment are then recorded on a certificate assigned to the dwelling which can then be used as part of the Home Information Pack (HIP). A Code assessment can only be carried out by a licensed and accredited Code assessor. This ensures the rating is independent and trustworthy. In order to build to the Code, a builder needs to hire the services of a Code assessor at the earliest design stage. They can advise what features need to be installed to achieve different levels of the Code. From April 2008, all new social housing must be built to a minimum of Code The Code is voluntary for privately built housing. However, also since May 2008 all new homes are required to have a Code rating in the Home Information Pack (HIP). This means that homes built to, and assessed against the Code, must include the Code certificate within the HIP. Several councils however, are making Code level 3 compliance mandatory for new planning applications. The formal assessment is split into two stages, Design and Post Construction. Both are necessary in order to achieve a Code Certificate issued by BRE. |
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CODE ASSESSORS D. Woosey &Associates, 26 St. Edmunds Rd, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9HX Contact: Dominic Woosey Tel: 01458 837865 Email: dominicwoosey@yahoo.co.uk |