Code for Sustainable Homes
The code for sustainable homes has been brought to our attention by the government to raise awareness on and combat Carbon Emissions. Our homes account for over a quarter of all carbon emissions produced in the UK with buildings in general accounting for over half of all carbon emissions produced in the UK. This has a huge environmental impact with respect to climate change. The code was launched in the UK in 2007 to ensure new homes are more carbon efficient / eco friendly and above all sustainable.
Since May 2008 all new homes are required to have a code rating which can be found in the Home Information Pack (HIP). The code also has preset mandatory ratings for social housing. By April 2008 all new social housing must achieve a 3 star rating. The code is voluntary for privately built housing, but please remember you have to submit a rating in your HIP pack when placing your home on the market. A home with a code rating will achieve a higher market price than a new home without one. On average you should expect a 6 to 10 percent increase in value if you have a code rating.
The code is split in to 9 categories which cover energy, water, materials through to health and wellbeing. Each category is then measured using a star rating from 1 to 6
The idea is for all new homes to achieve a 6 star rating in line with the zero carbon policy by 2016.
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The categories for the code are:
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Energy and CO2 emissions
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Water
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Materials
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Surface Water Run Off
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Waste
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Pollution
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Health and Wellbeing
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Management
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Ecology
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When a builder / developer incorporates a specific measure in to a new home they will be awarded stars towards the code for sustainable homes.
To give an idea, a home which achieves a 1 star rating will be home that is 10% more energy efficient and 20% more water efficient than most new homes.
A 3 star home will be 25% more energy efficient than a 1star home and include many more features in relation to the 9 categories as listed above.
To achieve a 6 star rating i.e zero carbon you would need to obtain over 90% of the total points available.
The code has been designed to protect and enhance or environment in which we live.
