CSH background
In April 2007 the Code for Sustainable Homes replaced Ecohomes for the
assessment of new housing in England. The Code is an environmental
assessment method for new homes based upon BRE’s Ecohomes . The Code measures the 'whole home' as a complete package, assessing its sustainability against nine categories and contains
mandatory performance levels in 6 key areas:
- Energy/CO2
- Water
- Materials
- Surface water run-off
- Waste
- Pollution
- Health and well-being
- Management
- Ecology
The minimum standards for Code compliance have been set above the requirements of Building Regulations. The Code is intended to signal the future direction of Building Regulations in relation to home carbon emissions from and energy use, providing greater regulatory certainty for the homebuilding industry.
The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to show the overall sustainability performance of a new home. It sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level, which provides valuable information to home buyers and offers builders a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.
To download the latest guidelines, go to: www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/buildingregulations/legislation/codesustainable/