Code for Sustainable Homes A step-change in sustainable home building practice

Abstract:

<p>The Code for Sustainable Homes has been developed to enable a step change in sustainable building practice for new homes. It has been prepared by the Government in close working consultation with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), and through consultation with a Senior Steering Group consisting of Government, industry and NGO representatives.</p> <p>The Code is intended as a single national standard to guide industry in the design and construction of sustainable homes. It is a means of driving continuous improvement, greater innovation and exemplary achievement in sustainable home building.</p> <p>The Code will complement the system of Energy Performance Certificates which is being introduced in June 2007 under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The EPBD will require that all new homes (and in due course other homes, when they are sold or leased) have an Energy Performance Certificate providing key information about the energy efficiency/carbon performance of the home. Energy assessment under the Code will use the same calculation methodology therefore avoiding the need for duplication.</p> <p>This document is divided into the following sections: <ol> <li>What is the code for sustainable homes?</li> <li>How does the code work?</li> <li>Summary of code benefits</li> <li>Code standards</li> <li>Practical Examples</li> </ol></p>

Author(s):

Department for Communities and Local Government: London