The code for sustainable homes is an environmental impact rating system for housing in England and Wales, setting new standards for energy efficiency (above those in current building regulations) and sustainability which are not mandatory under current building regulations but represent important developments towards limiting the environmental impact of housing.
The code was officially launched on December 13 2006 and was introduced as a voluntary standard in England in 2007. The code complements the system of energy performance certificates for new homes introduced in 2008 under the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and builds on most recent changes to Building Regulations in England and Wales.
The code works by awarding new homes a star rating from 1 to 6 based on their performance against 9 sustainable criteria which are combined to assess the overall environmental impact. One star is entry level above building regulations and six stars is the highest, reflecting exemplary developments in terms of sustainability.
The sustainability criteria by which new homes are measured are:
- Energy and CO2 emissions – Operational energy and resulting emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (both of which have minimum standards that must be met at each level of the code)
- Water H2O and surface water run off – The change in surface water run off patterns as a result of the development. The consumption of potable water from the public supply system or other ground water resources (each of which have minimum standards to be met at entry level)
- Materials – The environmental impact of construction materials for key construction elements.
- Waste – Waste generated as a result of the construction process and facilities encouraging recycling of domestic waste in the home.
- Pollution – Pollution resulting from the operation of the dwelling.
- Health and Well-Being – The effects that the dwelling’s design and indoor environment has on its occupants.
- Management – Steps that have been taken to allow good management of the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the home.
- Ecology – The impact of the dwelling on the local ecosystem
