In April 2007 Ecohomes was replaced with the more involved Code for Sustainable Homes for the assessment of new build dwellings in England. However, it is still the preferred assessment method for refurbished housing in England and all dwellings in Scotland.
Its purpose is to limit the impact dwellings have on the environment during their entire life span and drive important improvements in home building practice.
Unlike energy assessments of the past EcoHomes rates a dwelling as a complete functioning whole. The current version (2006, as amended) identifies 30 key areas of Sustainable design ranging from CO2 Emissions to Proximity of Local Amenities. The more important areas contain various mandatory elements or minimum standards that must be adhered to, your Ecohomes Assessor will advise you in greater detail.
The Code uses a one to four sunflower rating to communicate the overall sustainability of a dwelling, the sunflowers correspond to a rating of Pass, Good, Very Good, and Excellent.
Many Local Planning Authorities are using Ecohomes 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 Estimator”, “Design Stage Assessment” or “Post Construction Assessment” we can help.
Whether you’re interested in saving the environment, saving money or removing your planning conditions Complete Energy is the solution.
