The Code for Sustainable Homes is the latest result of evolution in the built environment.
The Code for Sustainable Homes is an environmental assessment rating method for new homes in England which:
• identifies a set of issues which are known to impact on the environment
• establishes performance measures which:
– are known to reduce environmental impacts
– exceed the requirements of legislation and regulations
– can be objectively assessed, evaluated and delivered in a practical and cost effective way by the construction industry.
• identifies environmental issues for which mandatory minimum performance must be achieved in order to gain a Code rating
• assesses environmental performance in a two stage process (Design stage and Post construction) using objective criteria and verification
• records results of the Code assessment on a certificate assigned to the dwelling.
The Code for Sustainable Homes: A step-change in sustainable home building practice defined a set of nine categories of environmental impact as outlined below.
Energy and CO2 emissions
- Dwelling emission rate (M)
- Building fabric
- Internal lighting
- Drying space
- Energy labelled white goods
- External lighting
- Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies
- Cycle storage
- Home office
Water
- Internal water use (M)
- External water use
Materials
- Environmental impact of materials (M)
- Responsible sourcing of materials – building elements
- Responsible sourcing of materials – finishing elements
Surface water run-off
- Management of surface water run-off from developments (M)
- Flood risk
Waste
- Storage of non-recyclable waste and recyclable household waste (M)
- Construction waste management (M)
- Composting
Pollution
- Global Warming Potential (GWP) of insulants
- NOx emissions
Health and wellbeing
- Daylighting
- Sound insulation
- Private space
- Lifetime homes (M for Level 6)
Management
- Home user guide
- Considerate constructors scheme
- Construction site impacts
- Security
Ecology
- Ecological value of site
- Ecological enhancement
- Protection of ecological features
- Change in ecological value of site
- Building footprint
(M) denotes issues with mandatory elements
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.
Mandatory minimum performance standards are set for some issues. For four of these, a single mandatory requirement is set which must be met, whatever Code level is sought. Credits are not awarded for these issues. Confirmation that the performance requirements are met for all four is a minimum entry requirement for achieving a level 1 rating. The four un-credited issues are within:
• Environmental impacts of materials
• Management of surface water run-off from developments
• Storage of non recyclable waste and recyclable household waste
• Construction site waste management.
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 two issues with increasing mandatory minimum standards are:
• Dwelling emission rate
• Indoor water use.
Many Local Planning Authorities are using Code for Sustainable Homes to satisfy the responsibility they have to create a Low Carbon Community under Section 106 of the Planning Agreement. If you have been asked to provide a “Pre Assessment”, “Design Stage Assessment” or “Post Construction Assessment” we can help. Call us now on 01904 561555 or 020 7419 5724
Whether you’re interested in saving the environment, saving money or removing your planning conditions Complete Energy is the solution.
