Press Releases
CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES GOES 'LIVE'
16th April 2007
The Code for Sustainable Homes, which has superseded EcoHomes, was launched by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and went ‘live’ on 10th April 2007. It is based on BRE's environmental assessment method for housing, with mandatory performance levels set in key areas.
The Code aims to protect the environment by providing guidance on the construction of high performance homes designed with sustainability in mind.
Many house builders who currently use Ecohomes will find the credit system of the Code familiar. Users will notice that there are new mandatory minimum levels of performance that have been introduced across 6 key issues: Energy efficiency/CO2 emissions, Water Efficiency, Surface Water Management, Site Waste Management, Household Waste Management, Use of Materials. The minimum Energy/CO2 standards for Code Level 1 are higher than current Building Regulations. Level 3 of the new Code for Sustainable Homes is the equivalent of EcoHomes ‘Very Good’.
According to cost consultant Cyril Sweett who produced research on behalf of English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, it will cost an average of 3% more to achieve the Code Level 3 compared to the equivalent under EcoHomes. The research found that the increased costs will vary depending on house type. However, the benefits of achieving Level 3 of the new Code will enable a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of 25% per home and water usage savings of 21 litres per person per day, thus justifying the increased cost of complying.
The Code for Sustainable Homes is thought to be a stepping stone towards all new homes being zero carbon by 2016. It is expected the Code may become mandatory in 2008. This is currently under consultation in the document ‘Building a Greener Future’ (see editor’s notes). The government believes that requiring a mandatory Code rating of new homes will encourage take-up of higher environmental standards. For many developments though the introduction of the Code will involve no additional costs at all, as energy saving designs and construction methods needed to achieve Level 3 of the Code are already being used.
The report by Cyril Sweett looked at four approaches to achieving Level 3 applied across six different house types, and found that the Code would be most expensive to achieve in traditionally built detached and terraced houses. Apartments and dwellings using more modern methods of construction were the cheapest.
John Packer Associates are pleased to announce that Dianne Bowles, Sustainability Consultant is a licensed assessor for the Code for Sustainable Homes and can provide advice and guidance on compliance. Alongside this role Dianne also performs a dynamic thermal modelling simulation service using IES Virtual Environment technology. This system allows JPA to ‘test-drive’ buildings to determine compliance with the latest Part L Building Regulations and housing codes. Using this service offers clients confidence that the building design has been optimised and the peace of mind that the building services have been shown to function in the building.
Note to editors:
Source: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1505157: Publication title: Building a Greener Future: Towards Zero Carbon
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16th April 2007
The Code aims to protect the environment by providing guidance on the construction of high performance homes designed with sustainability in mind.
Many house builders who currently use Ecohomes will find the credit system of the Code familiar. Users will notice that there are new mandatory minimum levels of performance that have been introduced across 6 key issues: Energy efficiency/CO2 emissions, Water Efficiency, Surface Water Management, Site Waste Management, Household Waste Management, Use of Materials. The minimum Energy/CO2 standards for Code Level 1 are higher than current Building Regulations. Level 3 of the new Code for Sustainable Homes is the equivalent of EcoHomes ‘Very Good’.
According to cost consultant Cyril Sweett who produced research on behalf of English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, it will cost an average of 3% more to achieve the Code Level 3 compared to the equivalent under EcoHomes. The research found that the increased costs will vary depending on house type. However, the benefits of achieving Level 3 of the new Code will enable a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of 25% per home and water usage savings of 21 litres per person per day, thus justifying the increased cost of complying.
The Code for Sustainable Homes is thought to be a stepping stone towards all new homes being zero carbon by 2016. It is expected the Code may become mandatory in 2008. This is currently under consultation in the document ‘Building a Greener Future’ (see editor’s notes). The government believes that requiring a mandatory Code rating of new homes will encourage take-up of higher environmental standards. For many developments though the introduction of the Code will involve no additional costs at all, as energy saving designs and construction methods needed to achieve Level 3 of the Code are already being used.
The report by Cyril Sweett looked at four approaches to achieving Level 3 applied across six different house types, and found that the Code would be most expensive to achieve in traditionally built detached and terraced houses. Apartments and dwellings using more modern methods of construction were the cheapest.
John Packer Associates are pleased to announce that Dianne Bowles, Sustainability Consultant is a licensed assessor for the Code for Sustainable Homes and can provide advice and guidance on compliance. Alongside this role Dianne also performs a dynamic thermal modelling simulation service using IES Virtual Environment technology. This system allows JPA to ‘test-drive’ buildings to determine compliance with the latest Part L Building Regulations and housing codes. Using this service offers clients confidence that the building design has been optimised and the peace of mind that the building services have been shown to function in the building.
Note to editors:
Source: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1505157: Publication title: Building a Greener Future: Towards Zero Carbon
« Back
For further information:
Dianne Bowles, Sustainability Consultant, JPA, dianne.bowles@jpa.uk.com
Other Press Releases:
Dianne Bowles, Sustainability Consultant, JPA, dianne.bowles@jpa.uk.com
Other Press Releases: